Fortnite players, brace for impact: Shockwave Grenades are blasting back, powered by Epic’s bold new Player-First Dev Team.
However, it seems like the player feedback has not been going to waste, with an Epic Games dev coming forward to provide insight into future Fortnite updates.
The new statement from Ted Timmins, who serves as Design Director for Fortnite, tackles the problems players have been facing in Chapter 7 Season 1. Here’s everything we learned from his new statement:
Fortnite Dev Confirms the Return of Shockwave Grenades With A New Permanent QoL Team
Epic Games has officially confirmed the return of Shockwave Grenades in Fortnite, bringing back the explosive utility that propelled players across maps. This revival pairs with the formation of a new permanent Quality of Life team focused on player priorities. Developers aim to address community feedback directly through this group, promising smoother gameplay tweaks and feature updates. The move signals Epic’s commitment to refining core mechanics based on player input.
Ted Timmins Twitter to engage with the Fortnite community regarding their concerns. He acknowledged that players are waiting for new content to be added to the game, alongside how Epic Games wanted Chapter 7 Season 1 to feel like a clean slate. He went on to state, “There was always a risk that by simplifying the game, focusing on Battle Royale and taking a ‘back to basics’ approach to create a ‘reset’ moment for Season 1 – that it may start to feel a little *too* similar to chapters past.”
Timmins then tackled the return of Shockwave Grenades, one of the most talked-about topics for Chapter 7 Season 1, stating: “The good news is we have a fun update in February to spice things up (I hear rumours that Self-Revives and Shockwaves might be making a glorious return…), and then a full Season 2 update in March.” This essentially confirms that Shockwave Grenades will return to the loot pool with an update in February, alongside the Self-Revive Item, which was removed to make room for Kenny’s Token item in the South Park update.
The X post then went on to tackle other equally important issues in Fortnite, like game stability, with Ted Timmins stating: “We have already taken steps to set up a multi-discipline live-ops strike team that is meeting daily, prioritising feedback, and taking actions to improve player experience and new Quality of life Updates.” The new QoL team will be a permanent part of the Fortnite development team moving forward. Ted Timmins emphasised how this new team might not be able to catch and fix every bug or glitch, but will provide noticeable improvements in the coming months.
The return of the Shockwave Grenades will be enough reason to celebrate for a lot of players. However, apart from the return of Shockwave Grenades, I think the new player-first team is a great idea, especially with Fortnite’s player count growing with each passing day. Issues like high ping and matchmaking errors can be the biggest joykill for many, and Epic Games forming a team to specifically deal with such issues will definitely have a positive impact on the game moving forward.
How do Shockwave Grenades work in Fortnite
Shockwave Grenades Mechanics
Shockwave Grenades launch players, enemies, teammates, vehicles, and wildlife away from the blast radius at high velocity without causing fall damage. Thrown in an arc, they destroy structures only when propelling a player through them, creating openings for escapes or attacks.
Usage and Mobility
Players use them for rapid traversal by throwing downward and jumping or strafing for straight-line boosts or height. They excel at flanking, disrupting builds, or pushing foes into the storm, with no damage on landing unlike older impulse items.
Tactical Tips
Combine with slides for speed or augments like Soaring Sprints for extended jumps; practice aligns throws precisely to avoid wasting them. In combat, they enable surprise flanks or quick retreats, making them versatile for offense and defense.
Best offensive strategies with Shockwave Grenades
Shockwave Grenades excel in Fortnite for aggressive plays by enabling quick repositioning and disruption without dealing direct damage.
Flanking Attacks
Launch yourself over or around enemy builds to strike from unexpected angles, catching opponents off-guard during rotations or fights. Throw downward while strafing for straight-line speed, then jump to cover up to 12 tiles rapidly and open fire mid-air.
Disrupting Cover
Target enemy structures or high-ground campers to blast them out of position, forcing exposure or storm damage in late-game circles. Aim at walls, floors, or trees to propel foes into vulnerable spots while you advance with weapons ready.
Pushing and Chains
Knock enemies away from loot or revives, then chain multiple grenades ahead based on your speed for sustained offensive pressure. Pair with slides or Soaring Sprints for super slides that maintain momentum into close-range sprays.
