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The Inner Game of Fortnite – Knowing When To Stop For The Day
Fortnite is a game that requires an immense amount of focus and dexterity compared to other games. Fortnite asks us to focus on many things at the same time: the gun we have out, ammo in the clip, material count, where zone is, where the timer is in its count, other enemies nearby, where an opponent could be in a build fight we’re in, and more. Playing Fortnite uses a lot of our brain power to actively problem solve our way to a Victory Royale. And naturally, our abilities have a curve to them.
We warm up to get our brains and muscles loose, even though we’re sitting in a chair. Then we get into our games and play for a few hours. I’m sure you’ve noticed though, after a certain point, your aim gets a little worse, your shots aren’t hitting, your decision-making gets a little sloppy. Sometimes it’s obvious: you get griefed or you’re just full-on tilted (RIP Tilted, I miss you so much). Personally, I know when I’m on the back half of my session because I farm less for some reason (it’s weird, I know) and then run out of mats mid-fight and that’s the end.
Knowing when to stop is important.
If we play past the point where we’re playing well, we risk undoing some of the mechanics we’ve practiced and, frankly, earned. Whether that’s enemy tracking or accurate corner edits, playing past our point-of-no-return means we could be internalizing bad motor patterns that we could take into our next session and it could actually make us a worse player.
When you notice things going down hill, whether that’s at the end of a great session or even if that’s not that far into your session. Try to end on a high note if you can. I won two solo duos in a row the other day and called it there. I’d played well. Time to do some replay review, and make some journal entries.
Short one today, but knowing when to stop is important. Go get yourself some water, you earned it.
Sub-Skill Drills – Floor Rotations
One interesting building technique I’ve seen in a number of impractical high ground retake Creative videos is the player spinning to look down, placing a floor and then redirecting their build direction in a different direction, usually pivoting 90 degrees.
Let’s practice that in our warmups.
Easy variant:
Do a single ramp rush, running up, placing consecutive ramps (floors and walls are optional, do you).
At some point, instead of placing the next ramp, place a floor, rotate your 90 degrees and continue your ramp rush in the new direction.
If you want to make this a little harder, place a ramp going up as a fake, then swing your character around to look at the floor behind you, then place the ramp in the new direction and ramp out
Harder variant:
Do a covered ramp rush with a ramp below and above you.
At any point, swing behind you, place a floor.
Then place the ramp in the new direction and ramp out again.
Do the each variant 10x as warmup, then try to do it 1-2 times in a game in a build fight.
Remember: Do these slow at first to get the motion and mechanics down. Then gradually speed up as you feel more comfortable with the skill.
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I’m going to go practice these myself today and play some solo duos. Two solo duo wins in a row the other day. Felt good.
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Have a great weekend.