Summary

  • Fortnite's rarest weapon, the Zapotron, could be returning in a future update.
  • The weapon was re-added to the game's files with a new update on January 14.
  • The Zapotron was available in-game before the beginning of Chapter 1 Season 1 for just 30 minutes before being removed.

The Zapotron, a Fortnite weapon so rare that it was only available in-game for a total of 30 minutes back in 2017, could be returning in a future update according to a reliable data miner. This incredibly rare Fortnite weapon was available before the game's very first season but was ultimately removed as the game's developers felt that it wasn't suitable for the shooter's Battle Royale mode.

While the Zapotron remained in the game files right up until Chapter 1 Season 4, it never returned. Its short lifespan meant that the majority of today's Fortnite ​​​​​​players have never experienced this incredibly overpowered weapon. The weapon is classified as a Sniper Rifle and uses Energy Cells as ammunition, which also hasn't been seen in-game since the weapon's removal. Although there have been numerous sightings of the weapon over the years, such as a brief appearance in a Fortnite x Marvel comic series, the Zapotron has yet to make a triumphant return in-game. But it looks like that might be about to change.

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Fortnite Leak Suggests Zapotron Is Returning

With the launch of Fortnite OG back in December, some of the game's most iconic weapons, items, and locations made a return. But as the Zapotron predates Fortnite's earliest seasons, nobody anticipated the weapon returning for the OG mode. However, according to leaker HYPEX, that could be about to change. In a new post on Twitter, the leaker said that the weapon will be returning to Fortnite OG soon as it has made a sudden reappearance in the game's files. While this has yet to be officially confirmed by Epic Games, it is worth noting that the Zapotron hasn't been in the game's files since Chapter 1, so its readdition certainly gives credibility to its in-game return.

The Zapotron was re-added to the game's files with the release of a new Fortnite update on January 14, which added a new feature that allowed players to use festival instruments as pickaxes and back blings. Alongside this new feature, the latest Fortnite update also brought with it a collaboration with Hatsune Miku. The collab included two Miku skins and a variety of special cosmetic items and music for players to obtain via the in-game item shop.

It's unclear when exactly the Zapotron could be returning, but Fortnite OG Season 1 is currently set to end on January 31 at 2 AM ET, according to Epic Games. Fortnite OG will then rotate into Chapter 1 Season 2, bringing with it all of the game's weapon loot, locations, and more from the original season. With the Zapotron only featuring in-game for such a short period of time before the beginning of Chapter 1 Season 1, it's unknown as to how Epic intends to slot the weapon into the game's rotation.

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Fortnite
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Survival
Battle Royale
Shooter
Action
Adventure
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
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Released
September 26, 2017
ESRB
T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s)
Epic Games
Publisher(s)
Epic Games
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Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
All platforms (except iOS/Mac)
Cross Save
Via Epic Account
Number of Players
1-4 players (online)
Genre(s)
Survival, Battle Royale, Shooter, Action, Adventure
X|S Optimized
YES
Local Co-Op Support
1-4 players (certain modes)
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Mighty