Top 16 prime areas to drop in Fortnite Battle Royale
Top Picks: Land Like a Pro in Fortnite
Choosing the perfect Fortnite landing spot can make all the difference in your game. If you drop in a secluded area, you'll be left behind in loot errands during mid and late-game battles. But a busy zone, and you'll be thrown into a fight with multiple enemies, potentially leaving the Battle Bus early.
Navigating the landing spot jungle can be tricky, so we'll first share some tips and then highlight 16 POIs (points of interest) that offer a sweet spot between safety and powerful gear.
Whether you're a seasoned player or fresh to the game, these landing spots will help you dive headfirst into the action!
Fortnite's Unmissable Landing Spots: Where to Drop
Wrecked Train near Criminal Coast
This spot is more than likely the best drop in the game. It's quiet with two guaranteed rare chests filled with powerful loot. land on the north side of the train and proceed along it, collecting loot as you go and breaking open Slurp Barrels instead of using healing items.
A chance of Academy Stand spawning in the train station, which houses strong items. Grab some items, top up your health with a vending machine, and then head to Criminal Coast to jump on opponents duking it out.
Riverside Farms
A low-key drop spot filled with chests and a breakable Slurp Truck for max shields in no time. Start at the small building ahead of the farms because it's an Academy Stand spawn point.
A vehicle is usually near, and upon finishing looting, options include potential Spire spawn to the west and Shrine spawn point to the south, both offering valuable mini-boss and movement items.
Academy Tech Lab (if you've got gold)
The location of Academy Tech Labs changes every round and is a hot drop due to its abundance of strong loot. To make a drop here, you'll need over 1,000 gold and be further away from the Battle Bus' path to minimize competition.
Pickleball Court
One-stop landing for everything you could ever need: Academy Stands (2 possible spawns), plenty of chests, a vending machine, and vehicles. Plus, it's next to potential Spire and Shrine spawns.
Try to land on the isolated pickleball court in the top-left corner and grab the two guaranteed chests. If a Shrine has spawned, return a Dash Sprite for movement items, clear the area from top to bottom, and search for an Academy Stand.
Martial Maneuvers
A consistent drop spot since Chapter 6. If it's just you, land on the structure to the right, marked on the picture above, and crack open the Slurp Truck beneath to get max shields. If someone else has dropped here, grab a gun first.
Grab chests and look for an Academy Stand on the far left of the POI, near the rocks. With your gear in place, choose between an action-packed run to Supernova Academy or a less chaotic escape down the road to the southeast.
Bridge at Rocky RVs
Supernova Academy is the most popular drop spot on the map with top loot but immense competition. I prefer dropping slightly west onto an Academy Stand spawn point at Rocky RVs. Rapidly grab loot from chests, and if a Shrine nearby, pick up a Dash Sprite. Then, head into Supernova Academy ready for battle.
Mountain Base Tunnel
Seeking a quiet drop spot? Hang over the mountain and drop whichever side the Shrine has spawned. There's one to the north, and one to the south. Once inside the tunnel, loot everything!
West side of Resistance Base
A slightly spicy drop, but usually less crowded than other named locations. Land near the satellite dish to the west for a possible Academy Stand spawn, and three guaranteed chests close by. Proceed along the path to the base itself, prepared for...er...resistance.
Top tip: Glance over to the pink trees to the west while dropping – an Academy Stand might spawn in the clearing; if it does, veer off if the base is too crowded.
Southwest Snow Base
A new addition to the map is this sprawling base in the southwest corner of the map, next to Shogun's Solitude. Prioritize the west side: there are loads of chests here, and a possible Academy Stand in the curved roof building. Once you're done, head north for potential Shrine locations.
If the main POI looks busy as you drop, land directly on one of the Shrines instead.
The Great Turtle
Known for an abundance of chests, slurp barrels, launch pads, and a possible Academy Stand on the bay. Don't linger too long – you're right on the edge of the map, so grab your loot and join the fight!
Robin's Head
Robin sells the Wingshot Grappler, one of the best mobility items in the game. With 600 gold, land directly on Robin's location to buy it immediately. Just keep an eye out for other players!
First Order Base
This drop can get busy, but if it's not directly below the bus and you veer towards the building on the west side, you should be alright. Loot up and make your way into the base for even better gear. Listen for firefights above ground, then swoop in when you're ready. Use grind rails after reaching the surface to zip around, and once above ground, launch pads into your next destination.
Overlook Lighthouse
If you fancy taking on a Spire early, this lighthouse east of the Shining Span bridge is the ideal quiet drop spot. You won't acquire boatloads of loot, but it offers a good base and potential for Academy Stand and Spire spawn points nearby. Spin the wheel on fortune's side – if neither Spires have spawned, pick another spot.
Sakura Stadium
Rarely busy but perhaps it should be! You'll receive half a dozen chests, a possible Academy Stand, and, unless you're unfortunate, a vehicle. Finish looting quickly and choose your direction for action.
Yokina Boardwalk
Just south of Sakura Stadium, this quiet drop spot has an Academy Stand and chest. Head for the southern end's small clearing, grab the item, and loot the rest of the POI. There's a Spire location just south, so that's normally the next stop for super loot.
Salty Docks
Offering everything you need for a solid round start: plenty of chests, some slurp barrels, a vending machine, and a vehicle. The Academy Stand is nearby blue crates, so check there, and smash crates for metal if building is on your mind.
If the Academy Stand didn't spawn, head to the hill west for another shot. Good luck!
Landing Spot Strategies in Fortnite
No Mercy – Fight After Getting a Strong Setup
Once you've armed yourself with an adequate assortment of weapons and utilities – possibly even some of Fortnite's best equipment – go on the offensive. The most effective method of acquiring excellent loot is by snatching it from players who have already raided several chests[4].
Prioritize Shrines and Spires
Their positions change every round, so check the map as the game commences. Mini-boss Spires are simple to defeat, offering excellent loot. Shrines provide the best method for obtaining movement items early: find a Dash Sprite and bring it to the Shrine for an energizing effect, shockwaves, a boon, and you get to keep the Dash Sprite[4].
I've picked locations with proximity to Spire spawn points. As you drop, scour the map for white pillars of light indicating a Shrine.
Academy Stands – Bass Boost Gloves and Tracking Vizor Crucial
Many of the locations I've chosen host Academy Stands, doling out strong items immediately and worth dropping directly onto[2]. The best loot includes Bass Boost Gloves, which maintain mobility and push opponents away, and the Tracking Vizor, particularly potent early on when enemies lack escape options.
Save Shield Items Where Possible
One of your initial tasks is to replenish your shields. However, be cautious before downing that big Shield Potion[5]. Slurp Barrels scattered across the map provide healing and shields, while preserving your resources. In the very least, use Small Shield Potions to get to 50, then touch your large pots. Keep an eye on vending machines to replenish your supply as well.
Landing Spot Awareness
As you descend, scan the area. If an enemy has elected the same location as you, prioritize obtaining a weapon first, lying in ambush without allowing them time to gather loot.
If they've dropped off at the next spot over, get them before they get you. Timing is essential: if you can loot swiftly and leave, you can often catch them as they exit their POI, or you can jump in if they're occupied with someone else.
Distance from the Bus Matters
It may seem obvious, but the closer a location is to the Battle Bus' path, the busier it typically becomes. If you yearn to explore a significant named POI, do it when it's far away from the bus' path. Deploy your glider a touch early to travel further.
- The Wrecked Train near Criminal Coast is a quiet drop spot with two guaranteed rare chests and a chance of Academy Stand spawning, making it one of the best drops in Fortnite.
- Riverside Farms is a low-key drop spot filled with chests and a breakable Slurp Truck for max shields, located near potential Spire and Shrine spawns.
- The Academy Tech Lab is a hot drop due to its abundance of strong loot, but requires over 1,000 gold and is further away from the Battle Bus' path to minimize competition.
- The Pickleball Court is a one-stop landing for everything a player could ever need, including Academy Stands, chests, a vending machine, and vehicles.
- In 'Martial Maneuvers', if one drops on the structure to the right, they can gather loot, loot an Academy Stand, and choose between an action-packed run to Supernova Academy or a less chaotic escape down the road to the southeast.
- Navigating Fortnite's landing spots involves being aware of your surroundings, prioritizing Spires and Shrines, saving shield items where possible, and choosing the perfect balance between safety and powerful gear.
