Latest Fortnite update has exploding mechs, a new playlist, and new rift zones

Fortnite players getting ready to join a new playlist called The Combine on Fornite — Are you ready for The Combine? (Picture: Epic)

Fortnite updated to v10.40 yesterday and with it came a plethora of changes, some of which are definitely for the better.

Since Epic added the mech machines called Brutes into Fornite they’ve been hit and miss with fans. At first, Epic refused to back down when #RemovetheMech was trending on Twitter, but they eventually relented and altered the stats of the machine.

Now in the latest update it seems Brutes are falling from the sky and instantly exploding – but a word of caution: don’t be directly underneath it, as it’ll hurt a lot.

Leaked images have been appearing over Reddit and Twitter that the cause of self-destructing mechs is because of a virus. The pictures indicate where the virus has affected the Brutes, but eagle-eyed fans have also noticed the number in the top left-hand corner is Pi. This is either relevant, or they just needed a long set of numbers and threw in Pi to amuse fans into creating theories from nothing.

There are widespread reports that the mechs are exploding upon landing in-game currently, with leaked images suggesting they have succumbed to a virus.

Epic Games has not acknowledged the explosions as a bug, meaning they are likely unusable at the moment on purpose. pic.twitter.com/d1PFQi0Hts

— Fortnite News (@FortniteBR) September 25, 2019

The mechs are exploding upon landing in-game, seems as some type of virus has infected them!

This is not a bug, rather then a future!
pic.twitter.com/zOhE3e8K97

— Fortnite News ? (@FNBRHQ) September 25, 2019

New playlist: The Combine

In addition to raining down mechs, a new playlist has been included within the update called The Combine. In this, gamers are putting their skill and muscle memory to the test, as the goal is to reach the end as fast as possible while killing everyone who gets in their way. Compete against friend and foe alike to get to the top of the leaderboard #FortniteCombine

Starry Suburbs has a new rift zone, where loot falls from the heavens by way of shooting stars. Wish to the stars and hope to receive the best loot you can get to vanquish all of your foes.

Limited-time mode: Zone Wars

Once again there is a new limited-time mode called Zone Wars and it’s only available solo, but you can queue with up to 15 friends and have a massive free-for-all. Eliminate the competition and avoid the storm closing in around you all.

In Zone Wars, you have a moving zone but you also spawn randomly and have randomised items each round, but only one life. There are four locations you can go to:

Zone Wars: Colosseum; when the rift comes here it’s open landscape, so those quicker at building will prevail.

Zone Wars: Desert; fight in a small desert town, where a diverse set of weapons and extra mobility allows for unique gameplay battles.

Zone Wars: Downhill River; use community launch pads to get the drop on your foes as you avoid the storm.

Zone Wars: Vortex; this island has monstrous terrain to overcome, the elevation difference between the rest of the zones might throw you off your guard.

Zone Wars starts sometime today, on 26 September.

And if you haven’t heard there’s a Fortnite X Batman event happening at the moment and ending 1 October.