Fortnite season 5 has arrived — Here are the biggest changes from the update

Fortnite season 5 dropped early this morning and brought with it some key map and gameplay changes. Here is a summary of what to expect when you log on today.

We all went to bed last night like giddy children on Christmas eve, awaiting the Fortnite season 5 drop, scheduled at it’s usual 4:00 a.m. ET update time. After waking up and getting a couple matches in, it’s clear that this season is going to be a blast!

First and foremost: RIP Moisty Mire! You were ugly but you were a hidden gem. After they gave you an upgrade in season 4, you saw a brief boost of popularity but it wasn’t enough. Moisty Mire was one of the most underrated drop zones in Fortnite and now it’s gone. Welcome, Paradise Palms!

It isn’t just Moisty that has been changed. The entire Southeast corner of the Fortnite map has been converted into a desert area. From the edge of Lucky Landing to the (newly upgraded) race track, this area is sure to be a hot spot for some time.

The crown jewel of the desert is currently Paradise Palms, a small city in the heart of old Moisty Mire. It serves as a second Tilted Towers-like location that is sure to take some of the crowd from Tilted and even out the map a little bit. Here’s a look at the upgraded area:

And here’s an overview of the new map in it’s entirety:

https://twitter.com/MrProWestie/status/1017345373785001985

You’ll notice several changes to the map, most notably Paradise Palms and Lazy Links replacing Moisty and Anarchy Acres. The folks at Epic must have come to terms with the fact that Anarchy Acres was the poor man’s Fatal Fields because they got rid of it entirely.

With a new golf course comes golf carts! Yes, you can also now drive golf carts (or All Terrain Karts: ATK’s) in the game. This is a huge upgrade from the shopping carts and the first time Epic has introduced true vehicles into the world of Fortnite. Can anybody say game changer?

You’ll notice the players in the cart hit a “rift” and were briefly transported and dropped back into the map. That is another new feature of the season 5 world. Gamers can now use the rifts to jump away from danger (or into it).

Dusty Divot is completely overgrown. It looks as though Moisty fans can now move into Dusty Divot as the new forested swamp location. There are small pond formations and more trees in the area now, making it a mix of a Wailing Woods and Moisty Mire area. Prime for quick material gathering.

With a new season comes new battle pass rewards. This season’s coveted level 100 skin is the legendary viking hero “Ragnarok.” The Ragnarok skin looks amazing and is a blessing for those who were patiently waiting for Vikings to hit the Fortnite world (me).

Battle pass starts you out with a Viking skin as well. Huntress (Also a viking. See below — third from right) is a bad ass. You kick off the battle pass with the ability to choose between her or the cat-masked spray painter “Drift” (below — front, center).

Last but not least, the vikings have officially landed in the Fortnite world with their own section of the map. A new Viking outpost has appeared between Greasy Grove and Snobby Shores.

The outpost looks amazing and is garnished with a large waterfall over the southern portion of the mountain. Here are some detailed pictures of the new location:

Overall, the game has changed a ton overnight. From the new map locations to the gameplay itself, with golf carts and rifts now actionable items, we’re in for a crazy season of Fortnite.

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Bravo to the folks at Epic Games who continue to keep Fortnite interesting and evolving without going too far or angering its fan base. The new map, new items and battle pass rewards are all top-notch.

Strap in and get on the battle bus ASAP because the game has changed and you’re going to want to be a part of it.