A while back, the video game developer Epic Games brought about some pretty significant changes to its free-to-play online multiplayer shooter, Fortnite Battle Royale, by way of the game's Season 8 update. Now, players are a little more than mid-way through Fortnite Season 8, and Epic has released the rather small Update v8.20 that introduces a brand new archery-themed weapon called the Boom Bow.

Instead of using arrows, Fortnite Battle Royale's Boom Bow relies on the use of shotgun ammunition that explodes upon impact whenever fired, dealing out 15 base damage when directly hitting an enemy, and 100 explosion damage. What's more is that players can charge up their shots with the Boom Bow in order to give it maximum power after 1.6 seconds of charging, causing it to do more damage to enemies and structures.

Despite its unique explosive properties, the inclusion of Fortnite Battle Royale's Boom Bow isn't the first instance of Epic Games having included an archery-themed piece of weaponry in the free-to-play title. As it so happens, the studio previously incorporated a crossbow into the game, which was Vaulted in Fortnite Patch 4.0, and then was brought back for a limited time as part of the Fortnitemares event as the Fiend Hunter Crossbow. It was later unvaulted for a brief period after Fortnite's Valentines Day on Patch 7.40.

Beyond the addition of the Boom Bow, the game's latest content update has brought back the Fortnite Limited Time Mode (LTM) known as Sniper Shootout. For the uninitiated, this LTM features only sniper rifles, and floor loot has been reduced by 50%, with reviving abilities for teammates being disabled.

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With a fresh weapon and returning LTM to Fortnite Battle Royale, players will likely be sated for a brief spell until the multiplayer shooter's next major update, which should come later on this week. Once the next big patch occurs, fans ought to have some new Weekly Challenges with which to contend.

Fortnite is available now in early access for Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One.

Source: Epic Games