When it comes to live-service multiplayer games, there are few out there that can match the success ofFortnite. For almost six years now,Fortnitehas continued to grow in popularity, and a huge reason for that is just how consistently the game gets updated. In this Season alone,Fortnitehas received a new cyberpunk area, completely changing the bottom-right corner of the map, along with some new weapons, augments, and vehicles. That’s not even mentioning the recentAttack on Titanupdate, which adds two new Mythic weapons to the game.
With its consistent and frequent updates,Fortniteis repeatedly setting the example for how other live-service multiplayer games should be approaching their own content drops, and that’s never been more apparent than with its most recent update. Just a few days ago,Fortnitereceived a brand-new weapon that feels as though it should have been added intoApex Legends.
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Fortnite’s Lock-On Pistol Could Pave the Way For the Smart Pistol in Apex Legends
Fortnitejust addedthe Lock-On Pistol, which lets players engage the pistol’s lock-on ability by aiming down sights. Aiming at an enemy for a few seconds will slowly charge the gun’s lock-on, indicated by the glowing pink triangles around the crosshair. The pistol can store a maximum of four locked-on shots, all of which bend around corners and obstacles to seek out their target.
For fans ofTitanfall, this pistol is going to feel immediately reminiscent of that series' Smart Pistol. Introduced in the firstTitanfall, the Smart Pistol is one of the series' most defining weapons, able to lock onto an enemy and fire a maximum of 12 shots. ThefirstTitanfall’s iteration of the Smart Pistolis infamous for how overpowered it was, being available as a sidearm that’s capable of locking onto targets within seconds. InTitanfall 2, the Smart Pistol was paired back significantly, only being available as a Boost power-up that’s unlocked a few times in a match. Despite getting nerfed, the Smart Pistol remains one ofTitanfall’s most iconic elements.
It’s a bit strange, then, that the Smart Pistol has never come toApex Legends, whichis set in theTitanfalluniverse. For years now,Titanfallfans have pleaded with Respawn to putthe Smart Pistol inApex Legends, but these wishes have not yet been granted. With the Lock-On Pistol now inFortnite, this paves the way for the Smart Pistol to finally come to another battle royale inApex Legends.
The biggest worry of putting the Smart Pistol inApex Legendsis that it would feel too overpowered, butFortniteproves that doesn’t need to be the case. Though it’s still early forFortnite’s Lock-On Pistol, it seems well-balanced, with players only being able to fire off four rounds at a time and the lock-on duration taking a good few seconds. Put simply, players in a skilled lobby can’t rely on the Lock-On Pistol alone.Apex Legendscould adopt a similar method with the Smart Pistol, limiting its ammunition to just a few bullets per magazine, or making it some kind of rare, special weapon with limited uses. It just seems strange thatFortnitehas a Smart Pistol andApex Legendsdoesn’t, so hopefully Respawn takes notes.
Fortniteis available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
