A trusted Fortnite leaker has revealed that Epic Games may soon overhaul how gliders work in Battle Royale matches—an update that could significantly shake up early game landings for both casual and competitive players.
A Revamp to Glider Deployment Is in the Works
According to Wensoing, a well-known name in the Fortnite leaking community, Epic Games is developing a new glider-releasing mechanic that would allow players to open and close their glider at any point during their descent from the Battle Bus. If implemented, this would mark a dramatic shift from the current system, where gliders automatically deploy based on proximity to the ground or terrain elevation.
Currently, Fortnite forces players into automatic glider deployment when nearing tall structures or uneven terrain. This makes precision landing especially difficult during competitive play. The proposed change would allow players to free fall for much longer, opening their glider only when they choose—so long as they account for potential fall damage.
Fall Damage Will Still Be a Factor
To balance the new freedom, fall damage is expected to play a key role. Wensoing claims players will need to be mindful of their distance from the ground and the speed at which they’re falling when they choose to deploy their glider. Diving too late could lead to elimination before the match even begins.
While specifics remain unconfirmed, the mechanic will likely include a safe deployment threshold—meaning if a player deploys too close to the ground, the game will calculate whether the impact causes damage or not, depending on fall speed and landing surface.
Will Water Landings Break Falls?
Naturally, the Fortnite community has already begun speculating on the broader implications. A major question being asked is whether landing in water will negate fall damage, as it currently does when players leap off cliffs. If this remains consistent, strategic water-based landings could become a critical part of early-game tactics with the new gliding system.
What This Could Mean for Competitive and Casual Play
This change could redefine the meta for competitive matches, where landing speed and positioning can determine the outcome of an entire round. Casual players would also benefit from smoother landings, especially in crowded zones where every second counts. The option to dynamically control glider deployment opens the door for new landing routes, faster loot access, and more fluid movement from the start of each game.
While there’s no official release date or confirmation from Epic Games, the leak has already sparked intense discussion among fans eager to test out the new mechanic. If it goes live, Fortnite could see a fundamental change in how battles begin—one where player skill and timing decide the perfect drop, not just the terrain.
