Outplaying opponents and achieving a victory royale inFortnitefeels incredible, but winning takes more than just shooting skills.Knowing what weapons to grab, which to leave behind, and how to use them is critical to winning a round ofFornite. After all, a player with a common Assault Rifle probably won’t put up much of a fight against another player with an Exotic weapon, no matter how skilled each player is.

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Fortnite’s Chapter 2, Season 8 introduced new weapons and brought back old ones. Some weapons will give players a much higher chance of winning than others thanks to their damage rate or abilities, and different weapons are stronger in certain situations. Here are the top picks.

8Dragon’s Breath Sniper Rifle

The Dragon’s Breath Sniper Rifle is of Exotic rarity, so it makes sense that it is one of the best weapons in Season 8.This rifle deals a staggering amount of damage (116 damage per shot) andcreates an explosion, setting the surrounding area on fire.

The weapon can only hold one bullet at a time, so players need to know how to accurately aim in order to most effectively use it. Missing even one shot could give a skilled opponent time to reload and snag an elimination, so fans should use it wisely. Players can grab this weapon fromPitstop in Boney Burbs for 500 Bars.

Fortnite character holding Dragon’s Breath Sniper Rifle red arrows

7Rocket Launcher

Rocket Launchers are a projectile, explosive weapon known for the massive destruction they cause. They can destroy enemy structures with ease and don’t require very precise aim, making the Rocket Launcher one ofFortnite’s strongest weapons for new and experienced players alike.

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Many players have expressed frustration with thelarge amounts of damageRocket Launchers deal, leading most fans to believe that better balancing with Rocket Launchers isone of the biggest fixesFortniteneeds. The Rocket Launcher can be obtained fromLoot Sharks or Supply Drops.

Screenshot of Fortnite Rocket Launcher aimed at player structure

6Sideways Rifle

The Sideways Rifle is an interesting choice, since it relies on an overheat system rather than a magazine size. After players fire it multiple times, it goes into overheat mode and temporarily cools down. Right before overheating, the Sideways Rifle deals bonus damage, so players should carefully time their shots and take the rifle’s unique power into consideration.

Some gamers might holdthe misconception thatFortniteis outdated, but the game constantly brings in new content. The Sideways Rifle, for example, is a brand new addition with Chapter 2, Season 8. Players can find it in theSideways Chests in the Sideways.

Fortnite Sideways Rifle orange background

5Sideways Minigun

The Sideways Minigun, like the Sideways Rifle, uses an overheat system and can fire a certain number of shots before needing to enter a cooldown mode. The Sideways Minigun’s strength is that it can fire shots extremely rapidly, and each of those shots do24 damage per second, amounting to about 168 damage per second.

Players could wipe out an unsuspecting enemy in under 2 seconds with perfect aim, making this a great weapon for short-or-mid ranged combat. Find the Sideways Minigun inSideways Chests in the Sideways.

Fortnite Sideways Minigun orange background

4Shadow Tracker

The Shadow Tracker is of Exotic rarity, and comes with a unique boost in addition to the damage it deals:the Shadow Tracker allows the whole squad to see the location of the hit player as they move.Being able to see the enemy through walls gives the team a huge advantage, often resulting in an elimination or two for the squad.

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This ability makes the Shadow Tracker one of the most powerful weapons in the game, and allowing the team to see other players issomething many fans didn’t even know they could do. Players can obtain this unique gun fromDusk at Primal Pond for 400 Bars, or find it randomly inMalfunctioning Vending Machines.

3Slone’s Burst Assault Rifle

Slone’s Burst Assault Rifle is a Mythic weapon with potential at both mid-and-long range. Therefore, this weapon’s strength is in itsversatilityand high damage potential.Mythic weapons areso strong that some fans think they made the game worse.

Only one player per match can earn this rifle directly from Slone, so if players want to obtain it, theymay need to eliminate a player holding it. Landing near Dirty Docks anddefeating Doctor Sloneearly in the match is the best bet for those who hope to snag this great weapon, asshe will drop this item once beaten. The addition of hostile NPCs like Doctor Slone is one ofFortnite’s biggest changes since its start.

Fortnite Shadow Tracker exotic Pistol

2Rail Gun

The Rail Guncan shoot through walls, furniture, and other barriers,making it a great choice for those going against experienced builders.Any weapon that counters building is powerful; in fact, some players believe that,unlikeApex Legends,Fortniterelies too much on building and little on actual shooting skill.

This Sniper also deals a high amount of damage per second (94 for a Legendary). Because the Rail Gun is so strong, it is no longer allowed in competitive play, which is a testament to its power.

Fortnite Slone’s Burst Assault Rifle gold sparkles

Players can purchase a Rail Gun for400 Barsfrom:

1Chug Cannon

The Chug Cannon might not be able to deal massive amounts of damage — or any damage at all — but it’s still a powerful tool and a great addition to anyFortniteplayer’s loadout. Still, it takes up two inventory slots, so players should think carefully about whether they need to carry around this heavy healing tool.

The Chug Cannon isespecially helpful for those who play Duos, Trios, or Squads, since it heals anyone in its vicinity.Remembering to stay healed is justone important tip beginners need to rememberto survive longer, and the Chug Cannon helps significantly. Players can purchase a Chug Cannon from The Brat for 600 Bars.

Fortnite Rail Gun file folder

Screenshot of Fortnite Chug Cannon weapon