My Roots Have Been Builds
For those unfamiliar with Fortnite, it has two main modes; Builds and Zero Builds. Builds is just like it sounds. Players harvest materials so they can “build” forts for protection and fighting as opposed to Zero Builds, where players don’t have any harvesting or building abilities.
Back when I started playing Fortnite in December of 2018, there was no such things as Zero Builds. So I was raised on a Fortnite game where building was the only choice.
Zero Builds is Popular
Learning to Build well in Fortnite can be quite difficult and frustrating. Other popular elimination type games don’t even have the concept of building. This prompted Fortnite to introduce the Zero Builds concept in March of 2022 to appeal to that audience who finds building an undesirable aspect of the game.
As I’m writing this article, there are 222,807 players now playing Fortnite in Builds mode while 112,837 are playing Zero Builds. Although Zero Builds is still much younger than Builds, about 1 in 3 players (33%) are choosing to play in that mode.
Zero Builds and Pops
That’s all interesting but what got me into Zero Builds (ZB)?
Three main reasons
- To play with friends who prefer ZB.
- One of my viewers kept asking me why don’t I try for Unreal at ZB since there’s so much time in the season? Eventually, he got me curious to give it a try.
- To play in Fortnite ZB exclusive tournaments.
First thoughts on ZB
I’m enjoying it! My current rank is Diamond II on my quest for Unreal. So far, I can be more aggressive than I was ranking up in builds mode. When I engage in a fight with another player, they can’t instantly disrupt my attack by building. This is refreshing and gives me much better chances of winning my battles.
Being more aggressive also means I haven’t had to primarily land in the water. I typically choose an area where I know there are a couple of chests so I can arm myself and be prepared to fight as opportunities arise.
I’m also enjoying playing in whichever mode my Viewers prefer to play when I do customs (games with Viewers).
In closing, ZB is very familiar yet a whole new world that I’m enjoying learning about and exploring. More to come!
