The Ultimate Guide to Changing Build Materials in Fortnite
We’ve all been there. You’re in a heated firefight, frantically searching for the right building material to create a defensive wall, only to find your inventory filled with nothing but brick. “Why did I just build that ramp out of brick?” you might think, as you’re knocked down by an opponent. In the fast-paced world of Fortnite, where milliseconds can decide the outcome of a match, having the right building materials at your fingertips is crucial. But the question remains: how do you efficiently switch between wood, brick, and metal, and what are the best strategies for choosing the right material for the right situation?
Fear not, fellow builder! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to master the art of changing build materials in Fortnite, turning you from a fumbling newbie into a construction maestro. We’ll delve into the fundamentals, explore advanced techniques, and unveil the secrets of strategic material selection that will elevate your building game to a whole new level.
The Basics: Understanding the Build Material System
At its core, Fortnite’s build system is deceptively simple. You have three basic materials – wood, brick, and metal – each with its own unique properties:
Wood:
* **Pros:** Low cost (10 wood to craft), quick to build, easily accessible.
* **Cons:** Weakest material, breaks easily, offers minimal protection.
Brick:
* **Pros:** Stronger than wood, provides more protection, decent cost (20 brick to craft).
* **Cons:** Slower to build than wood, can be costly in the early game.
Metal:
* **Pros:** Strongest material, highly durable, effective against high-powered weapons.
* **Cons:** Most expensive to craft (30 metal), slowest build time, requires more resource gathering.
Your building inventory is represented by a series of three bars, each corresponding to a material. The bar’s fill level indicates the quantity of each material you have available. Clicking the mouse wheel cycles through your materials, allowing you to instantly choose wood, brick, or metal.
Mastering the Wheel: Building Quickly and Efficiently
Now that you understand the building materials, let’s talk about how to cycle through them quickly. This is where mastering the mouse wheel comes in. It’s all about muscle memory and practice. Here’s the breakdown:
The Mouse Wheel Method:
1. **Scroll Up:** Switch to the next material in your inventory (wood to brick, brick to metal, metal back to wood).
2. **Scroll Down:** Switch to the previous material in your inventory (metal to brick, brick to wood, wood back to metal).
The key is to practice these actions until they become second nature. You should be able to change your building material instinctively, even in the heat of battle. Think of it like this: your mouse wheel is your building conductor, directing the flow of materials and orchestrating your construction masterpiece.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Techniques
Now that you’ve got the fundamentals down, let’s level up your building game with a few advanced techniques that will make you a building powerhouse.
1. The “One Tap” Technique: Switching Materials on the Fly
This technique allows you to switch between building materials in just one click. Forget about scrolling through multiple levels of the mouse wheel – with this trick, you can instantly select the right material with a single click. Here’s how it works:
1. **Hover Over the Material Bar:** When building, simply hover your cursor over the bar that represents the material you want to use.
2. **Click Once:** A single click will instantly set the selected material as your active building choice.
This technique is incredibly useful for quick changes when you need to adapt on the fly. No more frantic scrolling, just a quick hover and click to switch between materials seamlessly. It might take some getting used to, but the speed and efficiency it offers are worth the effort.
2. The “Double Tap” Technique: Quick Material Swaps
If you find yourself juggling between wood and a stronger material like brick or metal, the double tap technique can be your best friend. It allows you to switch between two materials with lightning speed. Here’s the process:
1. **Double Tap the Mouse Wheel:** This will quickly cycle through your materials twice, giving you a rapid switch between your current material and the next one in the cycle.
2. **Example:** If you’re currently building with brick, double-tapping the wheel will switch to metal, then back to brick.
This technique excels when you need to quickly build a foundation with wood and then transition to a stronger material for walls or ramps. The double tap keeps you agile and adaptable, allowing you to build structures with the optimal materials for each stage of the construction process.
3. The “Hotkey” Technique: Material Control at Your Fingertips
For maximum control over your building materials, consider utilizing hotkeys. This allows you to select a specific material with a single key press, eliminating the need for mouse wheel manipulation altogether. The default hotkeys are:
- Wood: `Q`
- Brick: `E`
- Metal: `R`
By binding these keys to your preferred building materials, you can achieve unparalleled speed and accuracy. Imagine seamlessly switching between wood and metal with a flick of your wrist, adapting to any situation with lightning speed.
Strategic Material Selection: Building for Success
Now that you’ve mastered the techniques for changing materials, it’s time to talk about the art of strategic material selection. Choosing the right material for the right situation is crucial for building effective defenses and outsmarting your opponents. Let’s break down the key considerations:
1. Early Game: Building Foundations and Gathering Resources
* **Prioritize Wood:** In the early game, wood is your best friend. It’s cheap, quick to build, and readily available. This allows you to rapidly build basic structures, gather resources, and explore the map.
* **Focus on Resource Collection:** Your initial focus should be on gathering resources, primarily wood. This will fuel your early-game building and help you establish a strong foundation for your strategy.
2. Mid Game: Building Defensive Structures and Engaging in Combat
* **Transition to Brick:** As you progress into the mid game, it’s time to upgrade your materials. Brick offers a significant buff in terms of durability, making it ideal for constructing defensive walls and ramps.
* **Balance Speed and Strength:** While brick is stronger than wood, it’s important to consider the pace of the encounter. If you’re in a fast-paced firefight, you might need to revert to wood for quicker construction.
3. Late Game: Fortifying Your Position and Gaining the Upper Hand
* **Metal: The Ultimate Shield:** Metal is your ultimate weapon in the late game. Its unparalleled durability can withstand even the most powerful attacks. Use metal to construct fortified positions, build impenetrable walls, and create strategic advantages.
* **Resource Management:** Remember that metal is a precious resource. Use it strategically, prioritizing high-impact structures that will have the most significant impact on the outcome of the fight.
4. Material Selection for Specific Scenarios:
Let’s dive deeper into how material selection can impact your strategy in specific scenarios:
4.1. Defensive Structures:
* **Walls:** Brick is generally the optimal choice for walls, offering a good balance of strength and construction speed.
* **Ramps:** Metal is the strongest material for ramps, providing a safer ascent and descent, especially when under fire.
* **Floors:** Metal floors are highly recommended for high-traffic areas, as they can withstand more damage from explosives and weapons.
4.2. Offensive Structures:
* **Building Heights:** Wood is great for quickly building tall structures, allowing you to gain a height advantage over your opponents.
* **Push Structures:** Brick is a good choice for aggressive pushes, offering a balance of strength and build speed.
4.3. Rotations and Positioning:
* **Escaping a Fight:** Wood is ideal for quickly creating escape routes, as it’s fast to construct and can be easily rebuilt if destroyed.
* **Flanking Maneuvers:** Metal can be used to create strategic flanking routes, providing cover while you reposition for a surprise attack.
Mastering the Art of Building: A Final Word
Building is an essential skill in Fortnite, and mastering the art of changing build materials is a crucial step towards becoming a true Fortnite master. By understanding the properties of each material, mastering the techniques, and applying strategic thinking, you’ll be building structures that will outmaneuver, outwit, and outlast your opponents. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you build, the more intuitive your material selection will become. So, grab your pickaxe, head into the game, and let your building skills soar to new heights!