Epic Games Removes War Machine's Hover Jets from Fortnite Tournaments

Epic Games has taken War Machine's Hover Jets out of Fortnite's tournament playlists, likely to keep competitive gameplay more balanced. With the release of Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 4, several new items were introduced, but the Hover Jets appear to have been too powerful for tournament play.

The latest season, much like Chapter 2 Season 4, has a strong Marvel theme, with Doctor Doom playing a significant role in the storyline. The Battle Pass features popular Marvel characters such as Emma Frost, Mysterio, and Black Panther. Alongside these characters, Marvel-themed weapons and items like War Machine's Arsenal, Captain America's Shield, and revamped Doom's Arcane Gauntlets have been added to the game. While some players have expressed frustration with the dominance of Marvel weapons, Epic Games has largely stuck with the new item rotation. However, to maintain competitive integrity, Epic has removed War Machine's Hover Jets from tournament playlists.

Leaker Confirms Hover Jets Removal

Fortnite leaker ShiinaBR recently confirmed on Twitter that War Machine's Hover Jets have been removed from tournament playlists. The post included a screenshot of Gwenpool from the Fortnite Battle Pass, staring at the item with War Machine's Arsenal beside it. No other Marvel-themed weapons or abilities were mentioned as being removed, suggesting that the rest remain available for competitive play.

Outside of tournaments, players may also notice that War Machine's Hover Jets have been nerfed, with a reduced initial boost and less momentum after exiting. These adjustments seem to be part of Epic Games' efforts to address issues players have had in dealing with opponents using the Hover Jets.

Competitive Balance and Future Updates

ShiinaBR has accurately leaked many Fortnite details in the past, such as the new Doctor Doom skin, the Fall Guys collaboration, and a Batman crossover event. Players can verify the Hover Jets' removal by participating in tournaments. The recent nerfs suggest that Epic Games may be fine-tuning the item before reintroducing it to competitive play.

As Chapter 5 Season 4 continues until November 2, it's possible that War Machine's Hover Jets will be absent from tournaments for over two months. However, with ongoing updates, the Hover Jets could make a return to tournament playlists in the future after further balancing adjustments.