Fortnite Implements Major Updates to Black Panther’s Claws and War Machine’s Hover Jet

After a week of struggling to find success with Shuri’s Black Panther Claws, Fortnite addressed the issue with a much-needed buff. The update also modifies the spawn rate of War Machine’s Hover Jet.

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 4 allows players to take on the role of their favorite Marvel superheroes, featuring several iconic weapons on the battlefield. This includes War Machine’s Arsenal, Captain America’s Shield, Black Panther Claws, and others.

Some Mythic items have shown better performance than others. For instance, Epic Games nerfed Captain America’s Shield and War Machine’s Arsenal after players combined both weapons, making it excessively difficult for opponents to counter them.

Conversely, the new Black Panther Claws haven’t fared well. Players have termed them “useless” in the current meta, with most feedback indicating that the melee weapon struggles to compete against other strong close and medium-range firearms.

In response, Epic increased the sprint speed when using Shuri’s Black Panther Claws and allowed players to pounce on enemies from longer distances. Furthermore, this Mythic item is now available in Chests and through floor loot.

Fortnite using Black Panther Claws — Image courtesy of Dexerto

This adjustment will also affect the drop rate of War Machine’s Hover Jet since the Mythic will now drop slightly less frequently from Avengers Chests, increasing the likelihood of finding other Avenger items like Shuri’s Black Panther Claws.

Despite the buffs, the weapon may still face challenges against some of the heaviest hitters in the battle royale. The Dual Micro SMGs boast the fastest fire rate in the game, while the Gatekeeper Shotgun can inflict significant damage at close range.

For long-range encounters, closing the distance on the laser-accurate Striker Burst Rifle will also prove difficult.

Nevertheless, Shuri’s Black Panther Claws have become more viable and could surprise players with their newfound strength.