What makes Fortnite pro players so good?
Obviously, they play a lot of Fortnite.
But it’s more than that.
Fortnite pro players do things that most normal players don’t.
And it’s the decision to do these things on a consistent basis that enables them to get to the highest level.
Now you can model what they’re doing so you can improve and get to a pro level.
Let’s take a look at exactly what the pro players are consistently doing.
#1. Fortnite pro players properly warm-up
You know how important a warm-up is.
But do you actually take the time to warm-up?
For sports, a warm-up can help to prevent injury and prepare your body for what you’re about to do.
Of course, injuries in video games are rare. But they do happen.
So it’s important you take the time to stretch your hands and wrists. Because stretching can help to improve your range of motion, it could help you to perform even better when playing Fortnite, too.
Now as well as stretching, a good warm-up should consist of in-game activity. And this should get you prepared for really playing Fortnite.
As you know, Fortnite consists of a few different components. The main components are building, editing, and aiming. So your warm up should look to address these.
For example, you could warm up your building by going into a creative map and doing some simple drills like:
- 180 degree turns – 180s are important in Fortnite because you use them so much when building. As you practice 180s you will help to cement this movement pattern into your muscle memory so you learn the exact distance you need to move your mouse
- Tunneling – end games in Fortnite are more competitive and hectic than ever, so you’re going to have to learn to tunnel to protect yourself as you rotate to the safe zone
- Wall replacements – box fighting is the meta in Fortnite, so learning how to consistently replace someone’s wall and edit is going to help you secure more kills
- 90s – 90s are one of the most useful ways to secure the high ground because they’re fast and the walls protect you. Also, 90s are a great way to warm-up your hands
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the types of building you can have in your warm-up.
But when you take the time to do these drills before jumping into a game, it’s going to help to reduce the number of mistakes you make because you’re already warmed up.
As you’re doing your building drills, feel free to throw in some edits. We’ll discuss this in more detail as you read through this post.
And as well as your building and editing you have your aiming mechanics to consider, which we’ll look at now.
#2. Fortnite pro players train their aim
You know your aim is important in Fortnite because it’s a shooter game.
But just playing Fortnite isn’t enough to get your aim to the highest level possible.
You see, Fortnite is a Battle Royale, and that means there’s a lot of downtime where you aren’t fighting enemies. You spend a lot of your time running around and looting, for example.
And when you’re not shooting and practicing you’re not improving.
Aim trainers are the solution to the problem of downtime.
Kovaak’s FPS Aim Trainer is the best aim trainer you can get right now. And in this post, I show you some of the best scenarios and example routines you can do in Kovaak’s to improve your aim in Fortnite.
But if you don’t want to use an aim trainer like Kovaak’s, then another good option is to play Fortnite Creative aim maps like this. There are a bunch of good reasons to use a Fortnite Creative aim map over Kovaak’s, for example:
- You use the same guns so you can get used to the bloom of the weapons
- You use the same third-person perspective and FOV so you train your intuition better
- You use the same movements as Fortnite so you can train your ability to move and dodge properly
Which is better for training your aim? Aim trainers for Fortnite Creative?
It really doesn’t matter. You just need to do it.
How often should you train your aim? Every day. Be as consistent as you can.
I recommend training for at least 30 minutes a day. But as little as 10 minutes a day can be effective. Of course, you can train more if you think you will benefit from it.
You can schedule your aim training before your main games as a means to warm-up, as we’ve already discussed. So when you play your actual games you’re ready to play at your best.
Aim trainers haven’t existed very long, and they’re only starting to get popular. So it’s likely we’re going to see the aim of players drastically improve in the times to come.
And the best aimer is probably going to be some young dedicated player that invested many hours into aim training.
So why can’t this be you?
Obviously, good aim is important to becoming a Fortnite pro. But there’s more to Fortnite than just aim.
#3. Fortnite pro players practice building and editing
Similar to training your aim, you have to spend time practicing your building and editing.
As you know, building and editing are unique to Fortnite, and they’re the component of the game that makes it have such a high skill gap and infinite skill ceiling.
So even if you don’t have the best aim, you can still outplay your enemies and win games with superior building and editing.
When you can build better than your opponent you can get an advantageous position. And when you can make fast edits you can get an unexpected angle to take a shot.
Of course, it’s better to have top tier aim, as well as building and editing so you can become a complete Fortnite player. And that’s why you should train both your aim and your building.
How does training your building and editing differ to warming up your building?
In a warm-up, you should be doing drills that you’re already familiar with. But when training, you should be doing things that you have not perfected and practicing builds that you aren’t familiar with.
You have a few options when it comes to practicing your building and editing.
You can play creative courses that are designed to test your building and editing skills in a variety of different ways. This is useful because you can time how long it takes you to complete the course as a benchmark, so you have something to measure your progress against.
Another option you have is to go into a blank creative map and just free build. Go have fun. Practice all sorts of building patterns and high ground retakes until you feel confident you can pull them off consistently.
Practicing difficult building sequences is a great way to improve your building. But it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t do them in a real game.
Listen, anyone can pull off a difficult high ground retake in a low-pressure environment (like a blank creative map). But it’s another thing to actually do them in-game when you’re against another player and you’re under pressure and risk dying.
As you know, Fortnite is a PvP (Player vs. Player) game, and being an expert at building and editing and clicking on things in an aim trainer will only get you so far.
You have to learn to be able to play against real opponents. The next section will help you with this so read on.
#4. Fortnite pro players play duels and box fights
We’ve already discussed the problem of downtime in Fortnite, that you spend only a small amount of time in the game actually fighting against enemies.
This is not good because fighting against enemies is the number one thing that you should want to improve at since Fortnite is a PvP game.
You know you can use aim trainers and building and editing practice to isolate those particular mechanics and improve at them.
But what about the actual fighting? How can you quickly get good at fighting real enemies?
Well, this is where 1v1 maps and duel maps and box fighting maps are your best friend.
Aim dueling maps allow you to 1v1 against a player with a high amount of hitpoints and infinite ammo. Aim dueling maps are a great way to practice your aim while learning to dodge and move properly.
Box fighting maps are amazing, too. Since box fights are a huge part of the Fortnite meta, and will likely always be a large part of the meta, becoming an expert at box fighting is absolutely essential.
Also, you can grab a friend and jump into Fortnite Creative and just start fighting. As you fight against each other you’ll soon learn that you’ve spent more time-fighting in 30 minutes than you would have in several hours of playing Fortnite Battle Royale.
And if you don’t have anyone to play with, don’t worry. The Fortnite community is huge and it’s easy to find new players.
For example, you can find players using the looking for group section of Fortnite tracker (this is good as you can compare your stats) or join a Discord server like the FNPL.
Listen, it’s important that you look to play against a player that’s slightly better than you. You don’t want to play against someone that you can consistently beat with ease. This might be good for your ego, but not good for actually improving.
Instead, find someone that can beat you as much as you can tolerate. Because when you play against someone that’s better than you, they force you to raise your standards so you can learn and improve faster.
#5. Fortnite pro players do VOD reviews
Reviewing your replays is one of the most effective ways to identify your mistakes so you can fix them and improve at Fortnite.
Yet, almost no one takes the time to review their VODs.
Why is this?
Well, it’s certainly not because it’s too difficult or inaccessible. As you know, Fortnite has a built-in replay system that records your gameplay.
Also, recording software such as OBS is free and easy to use. And this could be a better solution since it is your “true” gameplay.
In other words, it’s actually what you were doing and seeing, whereas the Fortnite replay system can sometimes be glitchy.
As you watch your VOD you should take notes. You can use something like Notepad or Google Docs. Or you could even go old school and use a pen and paper.
You want to write down 3 mistakes that you’ve made and think about how you can correct that mistake in the future. Writing things down is really important because it will help to commit it to your memory so you’ll remember it and take action to correct it.
But as well as just writing down your mistakes, you should write down 3 things that you did well. This is an important part of the process because it allows you to reflect on not only what you’ve done wrong, but what you’re doing right.
Of course, you can write more than 3 things. But I find 3 a good number because any more can become overwhelming and difficult.
You don’t have to just watch your own VODs, either.
Look, Fortnite automatically records and uploads VODs of tournaments within the in-game client. So you can watch and see what the very best players are doing when they’re in a game against top competition.
And there are plenty of YouTube channels that focus on doing VOD reviews of competitive players. For example, Ballatw and ImSpeedyGonzalez. You can learn a ton from watching the videos on their channel.
As for how often you should be VOD reviewing, I find the 80/20 rule works well. So 80% of your time should be spent playing and training and so on, and the other 20% VOD reviewing and reflecting on your gameplay.
VOD reviews aren’t the most exciting part about Fortnite, but they’re mandatory for anyone that wants to get better. So go and do it.
#6. Fortnite pro players get coaches
Getting a coach for a video game may seem silly.
But coaching is an investment in yourself.
A good coach will help you find out what you’re doing wrong, and how you can correct it. Your coach will also help to organize your training so that it’s efficient and properly aligned with your goals.
I offer coaching services for Fortnite players that want to improve their gameplay. So if you’re interested in being coached by me then get in touch and we can schedule a time to chat to make sure we’re the right fit for each other.
You see, I don’t just coach everybody because I know that some players will not fit well with me.
And you should bear this in mind if you choose to look for a Fortnite coach. Don’t just get any coach. Get one that you are confident in and you trust can help you get to the next level and not one that’s just going to take your money.
Do you need a coach to become a Fortnite pro player?
Of course not. You can get to the highest level all by your self.
With that being said, getting a good coach can dramatically increase your chances of becoming a pro player, and accelerate the time that it will take you to get there.
Remember that your coach is only able to do so much for you. A coach can help give you the guidance and tools you need to improve.
But it is your responsibility to actually put the things into practice.
And this leads us to our final point.
#7. Fortnite pro players work on their mental game
You can work on improving your mechanical skills as much as you want.
But if you have not got your mind in order, you’re not going to be able to get to where you want to go.
You see, you have to have a clear purpose. A clear goal or aim. So you can know where you’re supposed to be going.
Without this, then you’re just going to be wasting your time.
Of course, your mental game is more than just setting goals.
It means focussing on your health. It means sleeping and eating well.
Pro gamers are starting to work on their physical conditioning as well. You see, if your body is slow and weak and out of shape, then guess how you’re going to play? You’re going to be slow and not very good.
Of course, there are very skilled gamers that aren’t in the best of shape. But I guarantee that there are absolutely no pro players that are at the very top level and are completely out of shape. It’s just not possible.
And as Fortnite continues to grow and the competition gets more difficult, then it’s going to become more and more important that you’re in peak mental and physical condition to succeed.
Listen, pro players also have a particular way of communicating to themselves.
For example, Mongraal is one of the best Fortnite players in the world. And if you watch his gameplay, then you’ll notice that he often say that he is the best Fortnite player.
Now saying you’re the best doesn’t make it true, of course. But it will make it more likely to happen than if you were to use the opposite words.
You see, the words you use to describe yourself have the ability to empower you if used correctly. But, if used incorrectly, words have the power to destroy you.
If someone continually describes themselves as weak and pathetic, then what do you think is going to happen? Well, they’re going to feel those things.
What if instead you used words like amazing, spectacular, motivated and energized in your vocabulary? Would that change how you felt? Of course it would.
I have a friend that I play with and he constantly says things like “I’m so bad”, “I’m playing terribly”, “I have the worst aim”. Do you think saying this is helpful?
If you’re in a negative state, then you have to find a way to break the pattern. Something you could try is what Tfue says.
You see, when Tfue dies, he usually says that he was “unlucky” or “unfortunate”. This helps to break the negative cycle, so he can stay in a positive state and continue to perform at his best.
Conclusion
Just loading up your machine to play Fortnite without a clear goal in mind is a waste of time.
And pro players always make sure to organize their practice in a way that’s meaningful to them, so they have a clear idea of what they’re working on achieving.
You see, the decisions that you make each and every day will guide you in your journey to become a pro player.
And the most important thing you must learn to develop is persistence.
Because if you’re not doing the right things, and persist to do them, then you stand no chance of becoming a Fortnite pro.
But if you do the right things and you get yourself in the right state, then there are no limits to what you can achieve.
Here’s a quick recap of what pro players are doing:
- Warm-up properly so they are in the right frame before playing
- Practice the important things that are going to have the best carryover to their gameplay, like building, editing, and aiming
- Review their gameplay to find their mistakes, correct them, and continually improve
- Get themselves in peak physical and mental state so they can game at the highest level
- Hire coaches to help them take their gameplay to the next level
So what are you going to do next?
Are you going to continue to play the same that you always have, or are you going to do something different?