We’re coming close to the end of the year, which for Fortnite means a new Chapter. Once we get to grips with Chapter 6, we’ll start to think about where the game is going with the FNCS 2025. The tournament is the premier event for Fortnite, where the best players meet in a single lobby. For next year’s events, there’s some interesting changes being made.
Epic has just unveiled the first details of the upcoming FNCS 2025 events. The new pickaxe we’ll be getting and changes to the format. With these Fortnite esports events now coming up fast, what’s changing next year and how will it impact gameplay?
Source: Epic
FNCS 2025 Gets New Format
The FNCS is coming back in 2025. This is going to be a return to Trios for the game! Teams will be in threes from now on, not two. For a while we had quite a bit of variety in FNCS format, so it’s fun to see a more varied system make a return.
Outside of that, there’s another big change coming for tournaments with regions. The FNCS and other tournaments will once again be switching to two North American regions. Recently they were combined as NA Central, a pain for those who moved for 0 ping. However, they’re now going back. Meaning the pros who move houses to chase around the 0 ping connection will be facing another move.
The FNCS 2025 will also feature a prize pool of $8 million overall regions! A huge prize. The qualification system is moving around too. There will now be a Play-In, followed by a Group Stage, and a Last Chance Qualifier. However, players will move into different divisions depending on their FNCS Trial tournament results. Which should make qualification simpler for players already at the top of the game.
Source: Epic
Blade of Champions
Beyond the tournament itself, the FNCS pickaxe has become a focal point for the community. This is a special in-game cosmetic, only available to players who win the FNCS to begin with. There’s nothing else that lets you know you’re in the same lobby as one of the best Fortnite players. With the last FNCS pickaxe in the store now, we need a new one. Epic has just unveiled the Blade of Champions, which will be the new FNCS pickaxe for the year.
Once another FNCS begins, players will lose the Blade. They’ll move on to the new winners. These are the biggest status symbols in terms of cosmetics. Much more so than even the rarest Fortnite skins. We’ll have to wait and see which players win and wield the Blade for the first season.