Fortnite players are convinced that Zero Build lobbies just got way harder

Winning a game of Fortnite is never easy, but some players are convinced that the game’s Zero Build mode has gotten a whole lot harder, with players claiming it’s been “miserable” and that they’re getting “annihilated.”

When Zero Build was introduced to Fortnite in March 2022, it provided a safe space for gamers who didn’t enjoy the building aspect of the game, or simply weren’t very good at it. Like many, I ran to the mode and never looked back, and I don’t think I’ve played a build game since.

While I definitely found the mode easier, some players have complained that Zero Build has suddenly become much more difficult, posting about it on the official Fortnite subreddit.

“In the last few days, the lobbies I am getting are significantly harder,” wrote Professional-Wish116. “I am guessing it’s because I am getting better so being put in harder lobbies. Or is it just what it’s like at the end of a season?”

They weren’t alone in this feeling either, with Sweet-Cicada-6971 stating: “My experience is the exact same. Basically since yesterday every game feels like a tournament. People are trying so hard, every game I get blasted by TikTokers on Level 500, it’s crazy,” with YrsaAse saying their experience had been “miserable” and that they “weren’t just losing” but getting “absolutely annihilated.”

As for why this is happening, the resounding theory is that with Chapter 5, Season 3 starting on May 24, lots of players have returned to the game to rank up their battle passes before they expire. The influx of returning players has then raised the quality of lobbies, making them harder.

Of course, it is possible that Epic Games have tweaked their matchmaking system, but nothing has been announced by the developer so we can’t be sure. We’ll learn more over the next week though as lobbies settle post-update, and we may even hear from Epic if they have made changes.