Our picks of the best Black Friday deals

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Fortnite melee weapons and what's classed as a melee weapon explained

Who needs guns?

Melee weapons in Fortnite allow you to attack your foes without having to worry about ammunition.

You can also use them to gather resources, like wood, to help build structures on the Fortnite map.

In Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 2, you need to use melee weapons to complete certain quests and challenges.

Below you'll discover what a melee weapon is in Fortnite, along with where to find them.

Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 4 Launch Gameplay Trailer

What is a melee weapon in Fortnite?

There are currently two melee weapons in Fortnite - your harvesting tool, also known as the pickaxe, and the Kinetic Blade.

The Shockwave Hammer is also a melee weapon, but was vaulted at the start of Chapter 4, Season 2.

The easiest melee weapon to use is, of course, your harvesting tool, because you automatically start every match with this weapon. Simply select your favourite from your Locker and away you go!

If you wish to wield the power of a Kinetic Blade, you will need to find it in loot chests, or as floor loot. We also found two displayed near CRZ-8's character location, northwest of Mega City.

Keep an eye out for its purple glow to quickly spot a Kinetic Blade!


Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 4 is here! To help you get started with this heist themed season, we have guides on how to alert a Securitry Camera, secure data from Forecast Towers and destroy weakened walls or security gates. There's also a new Victory Umbrella! Meanwhile, learn what the best weapons are, the current Augments, how to get XP fast, use the best PC settings and earn a Victory Crown.


Unlike your pickaxe, the Kinetic Blade has two attack modes: Dash and Knockback Slash. Dash, as the name implies, dashes you forwards in an attacking motion with your blade. Knockback Slash on the other hand requires you to power up for a bit before unleashing a powerful strike that propels you foward.

Dashing on the left, and using the Knockback Slash on the right

If you would like to learn more about Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1, visit our guides on character locations, Augments, how to get XP fast, and when Geralt is coming to Fortnite.

From Assassin's Creed to Zoo Tycoon, we welcome all gamers

Eurogamer welcomes videogamers of all types, so sign in and join our community!

In this article
Follow a topic and we'll email you when we write an article about it.

Fortnite

Android, iOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch

Related topics
About the Author
Lottie Lynn avatar

Lottie Lynn

Guides Editor

Lottie Lynn is Eurogamer's Guides Editor. She likes exploring new games and still has nightmares about the moon from Majora's Mask.

Comments