What is storm sickness in Fortnite?

Answered by John Hunt

Storm sickness in Fortnite is a gameplay mechanic that adds a sense of urgency and danger to the game. When players venture into the storm, which is an area outside of the safe zone, they are afflicted with a debuff called storm sickness. This debuff slowly drains the player’s health over time until they either exit the storm or succumb to its effects.

The purpose of storm sickness is to encourage players to stay within the safe zone and discourage them from camping or staying in one location for too long. It adds a dynamic element to the game, forcing players to constantly move and adapt to the changing safe zone locations.

One interesting aspect of storm sickness is that it becomes more potent the longer a player remains in the storm. This means that if a player attempts to linger in the storm for an extended period, they will experience a more rapid health drain. This adds an extra layer of strategy and risk/reward decision-making, as players must weigh the potential benefits of staying in the storm against the increasing danger to their health.

When a player enters the storm, they will notice a visual indicator on their screen, often in the form of a swirling vortex or dark clouds. This serves as a reminder that they are in a hazardous area and need to quickly make their way back to safety.

Storm sickness can have a significant impact on gameplay, especially during the later stages of a match when the safe zone is smaller and more players are forced into close proximity. It can create intense and fast-paced situations as players scramble to outrun the storm and avoid succumbing to storm sickness.

In my personal experience, storm sickness has often been a major factor in determining the outcome of matches. It has forced me to make split-second decisions, weighing the risk of taking damage from opponents versus the risk of staying in the storm. It adds a level of tension and excitement to the game, as every decision becomes crucial in ensuring survival.

To summarize, storm sickness in Fortnite is a debuff applied to players who enter the storm, gradually draining their health until they either exit the storm or perish. It serves as a gameplay mechanic to keep the action fast-paced and push players towards the safe zone. The longer a player remains in the storm, the more quickly their health will deplete. Storm sickness adds a dynamic and strategic element to the game, forcing players to constantly move and adapt to the changing safe zone locations.