Playing Fortnite solo is exciting, but nothing beats teaming up with friends for squad matches. Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, having a solid squad strategy can mean the difference between an early exit and a Victory Royale. While surviving the initial five minutes in Fortnite is critical, the dynamics shift when you’re playing with a team. Good communication, coordination, and knowing how to leverage each squad member’s strengths are the keys to dominating a squad game.
But before diving into squad-specific strategies, let’s take a moment to reflect on the core Fortnite tips discussed in our previous article on surviving the first five minutes. As a solo player, landing safely, looting efficiently, and gathering materials were essential. In squad matches, these strategies still apply, but with a crucial difference—you’re not alone! Here’s how you can take those solo tactics and supercharge them for squad play.
One of the most important decisions your squad will make is where to land. In solo matches, you might opt for quieter landing spots to minimize early-game skirmishes. However, in squads, you can afford to land in more contested areas if you work together. Choose a location with enough loot to equip the entire team and make sure to land close to one another to avoid getting isolated.
Communication here is key. Decide on your drop zone well before the Battle Bus flies over the island, so each player knows exactly where to land. It’s often useful for one player to mark the drop zone on the map, ensuring that everyone is aligned.
In solo play, looting quickly is critical. In squad matches, you need to make sure that everyone has the right gear—each squad member should be equipped with weapons, shields, and healing items. Once you’ve landed, it’s important to spread out slightly to cover more ground and maximize your loot intake, but don’t stray too far from your squadmates.
Another key strategy is sharing loot. If one player finds multiple shields or high-tier weapons, share them with the team. In squad matches, no single player should hoard all the resources—winning as a squad means everyone needs to be prepared for combat.
Building is essential in Fortnite, and in squad matches, it's a team effort. In solo matches, you might build to protect yourself from incoming fire, but in squad games, you’ll need to build structures that can shield your entire team. Coordinate with your squad to ensure that everyone contributes materials and builds together, especially during critical fights or when you need to revive a teammate.
A great strategy is to designate one or two players as primary builders, especially if they’re more experienced with Fortnite’s fast-paced building mechanics. The rest of the team can focus on defending them while they construct defensive structures or ramps for the squad to use.
If you want to win as a squad, clear and constant communication is non-negotiable. Call out enemy positions, share intel on loot, and keep your teammates informed about your plans. Whether you’re using in-game voice chat or a third-party service like Discord, communication will help your team stay organized and react quickly to changing circumstances.
This is particularly important if you’re playing cross-platform. With Fortnite supporting cross-play between PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, you could have friends on different systems all working together. Good communication helps ensure that any platform-specific differences (like controls or graphics) don’t impact team performance.
While you don’t want to wander too far from your squad, it’s equally important to avoid bunching up in combat. If all your teammates are in the same spot, one well-placed grenade or rocket could take out the entire squad. Instead, position yourselves strategically—spread out slightly so you can cover different angles, but stay close enough to support each other if someone gets into trouble.
During firefights, having different vantage points allows your squad to flank enemies and pin them down. Make sure to communicate your positioning with the team, so no one is left isolated.
In squad matches, even if a teammate is knocked down, the game isn’t over. Reviving knocked teammates or rebooting them at a Reboot Van can bring your squad back to full strength. If one of your teammates is down, it’s crucial to build around them for protection while reviving. If a teammate is eliminated entirely, prioritize getting to the nearest Reboot Van to bring them back into the match.
This adds an extra layer of strategy to squad play—if your team is close-knit and communicates well, you can recover from seemingly disastrous situations. However, if you’re scattered and uncoordinated, reviving or rebooting can become nearly impossible.
In solo play, rotating towards the safe zone requires speed and stealth. In squads, rotating is a bit more complex. You’ll need to coordinate movements as a team, making sure no one gets left behind. Stick close together while rotating to avoid getting picked off by enemy squads or the storm. Make use of vehicles, launch pads, and bounce pads to move quickly.
Like we discussed in the “How to Survive the First 5 Minutes in Fortnite Battle Royale” guide, staying ahead of the storm is critical in every game mode. This is especially true in squads, where getting caught in the storm as a team can lead to a full squad wipe.
By following these strategies, your squad will be well-prepared to outlast the competition and secure those Victory Royales. Just remember that Fortnite is a game of teamwork, communication, and strategic decision-making—whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, these tips will help you and your friends dominate the battlefield.
FAQs
What is the best strategy for surviving the early game in Fortnite?
In the early game, the key to survival is to focus on gathering resources and equipment quickly. Start by landing in less populated areas to avoid immediate combat and gather essential items like weapons, shields, and building materials. Prioritize looting buildings thoroughly and collecting materials (wood, stone, metal) to build defenses. Once you’re adequately equipped, move towards the center of the map to position yourself strategically for the shrinking safe zone.
How important is building in Fortnite, and how can I improve my building skills?
Building is crucial in Fortnite as it allows you to create cover, gain high ground, and outmaneuver opponents. To improve your building skills, practice building quickly and efficiently in Creative Mode. Focus on mastering basic structures like ramps, walls, and floors. Learn advanced techniques such as 90-degree turns, building ramps up to high ground, and creating box forts for protection. Building quickly during combat can give you a significant advantage over your opponents.
What are some effective strategies for late-game scenarios in Fortnite?
In the late game, the player count is low, and the safe zone is small, making positioning and engagement crucial. Prioritize staying inside the safe zone and building elevated positions to maintain the high ground advantage. Be mindful of storm damage and plan your movements carefully to avoid getting caught in the storm. Use the terrain and structures around you for cover and try to avoid unnecessary engagements until you have a clear advantage. Also, manage your resources wisely, ensuring you have enough materials and healing items for the final fights.
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