Out-healing storm damage in competitive Fortnite just got more challenging after a recent hotfix.
Fortnite’s competitive scene has evolved significantly over the years. We’ve seen many different playstyles develop — most of which can work at a high level. Some players utilize a more passive, placement-heavy approach. Others prefer to w-key in an attempt to eliminate everyone in the lobby. While those are two primary playstyles, a Polish player named Qrei introduced a ground-breaking method that started to turn heads a few seasons back.
The original healing trio of Qrei, armor zelek and Treciux made headlines in Chapter 2 – Season 6 when they reached the finals of an FNCS Qualifer without earning any eliminations. You might be wondering how this is possible. Well, Qrei developed a strategy where he and his teammates would stockpile healing items, sit in the Storm and heal to victory.
Epic Games has made attempts to thwart the healing strategy in the past, but today’s might be the final blow.
Campfire Hotfix in Arena Mode
We’ve increased the cost to relight a Campfire from 200 to 600 wood in tournament playlists only. pic.twitter.com/oUP02BQdyL
— Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) October 20, 2021
Fortnite unveiled a hotfix today that renders re-igniting campfires impossible for competitive players. Before, you could re-ignite campfires, but few would use the option as it required 300 wood. However, Qrei uses campfires to advantage in his latest Orchard healing strategy. He would stockpile healing items and wood around one central campfire, allowing him to out-heal storm damage. That is no longer the case after today’s hotfix.
The material cost for re-igniting a fire now is 600 wood. Unfortunately for Qrei fans, competitive Fortnite settings only allow players to collect 500 wood. It seems the number of teams utilizing Qrei’s strategy forced their hand. Now, the healing guru has a tall task at hand just one week after signing with his first-ever esports organization.
Soo apparently the qrei strat is fully gone because you CAN’T relight a campfire pic.twitter.com/Bnr4ppwoc8
— Centric Hottie (@hottiefn) October 20, 2021
People quickly and accurately pointed out that Qrei could stock up on Firefly Jars to re-ignite campfires; there are two issues with that remedy. First off, there aren’t enough Firefly spawns in the Orchard area to make it a viable alternative. Second, the clip above from professional Fortnite player Hottie pointed out that Firefly Jars do not relight fires in Arena Mode. That means Qrei’s Orchard strategy is now wholly ineffective.
Qrei Responds to Campfire Change
Why didn’t you just delete campfire? This is panicky and unprofesional nerf @FortniteStatus
— TCE Qrei (@Qrei9) October 20, 2021
The Polish healing sensation did not take kindly to Epic’s hotfix. He questioned why the campfire remained in the game and called the nerf “panicky and unprofessional.” The healing strategy has consistently drawn criticism from the competitive scene at large. Many believe that it ruins the fundamental purpose of Battle Royale, which is not false.
Still, Qrei’s brand and content creation revolves around circumventing Fortnite and finding unconventional ways to win. He certainly has a right to be upset, and he’ll have to find another way to win using the infamous healing method.
Featured Image: Reddit
