Unstable Exotic Weapons are shaking up Fortnite’s battlefield with wild effects and superhero-level power-but securing one won’t be easy. Whether you’re after a shotgun that yanks enemies closer, a pistol packed with shockwaves, or a weapon that shifts your speed in the heat of combat, this guide reveals all current Unstable Exotics and the tricky strategies you’ll need to claim them before your rivals do.
Here’s a list of all Unstable Exotic Weapons in Fortnite, plus details about how to get them and how to use them.
How to use Unstable Exotic weapons in Fortnite
To use Unstable Exotic weapons in Fortnite effectively, you need to understand each weapon’s unique abilities. The Unstable Yoink Shotgun pulls enemies toward you with certain shots, making it ideal for close-range combat but risky if missed, as it has only two shells. The Unstable Voltage Burst Pistol triggers shockwave effects on the first and last shots of each clip, useful for crowd control and creating space. The Unstable Frostfire Shotgun alternates between granting you a speed boost or slowing your enemy on successful hits, rewarding precise aim and tactical use. Mastering these effects and timing your shots can give you a significant edge in fights.
There are three Unstable Exotics in the Fortnite Super Season. Here’s what they do:
- Unstable Yoink Shotgun: Some shots will “yoink” the person you shoot toward you. This can be a bit dangerous, as the opponent may have an easier time hitting you from up close, but then again, your shotgun is more effective when the target is nearby. Be aware that the Unstable Yoink Shotgun only holds two bullets, leaving little room for error.
- Unstable Voltage Burst Pistol: The first and final shots produce a shockwave effect around the area of impact. In other words, you will deal shock damage in a two- to three-meter area of effect twice.
- Unstable Frostfire Shotgun: On a successful shot, this gun will cycle between giving you a Pepper effect or giving your target the slowdown effect, which means you’ll either be faster or your enemy will be slower.
How to get Unstable Exotic weapons in Fortnite
To get Unstable Exotic weapons in Fortnite, you mainly have two ways: by defeating Overlord Spires and by looting Rank S Hero Caches. Overlord Spires are formidable enemies that spawn randomly on the map at various points of interest, marked by purple indicators. Defeating these Spires guarantees a drop of at least one Unstable Exotic Weapon, making this method more reliable. Up to three Overlord Spires can appear each match, but watch out for other players competing for these weapons. Alternatively, you can find Unstable Exotic weapons in Rank S Hero Caches, which are unlockable only when you reach S-rank by performing heroic actions like eliminating enemies and surviving storm phases. These caches appear on the map and contain randomized loot, so it might take opening several before you get an Unstable Exotic weapon.
There are two ways to obtain Unstable Exotic Weapons in Fortnite:
- Defeat Overlord Spires.
- Loot them from Rank S Hero Caches.
The first method, defeating Overlord Spires, is arguably the best as the Spires always seem to drop at least one Unstable Exotic Weapon, whereas the Rank S Hero Caches are based on luck.
Up to three Overlord Spires will spawn per game, in randomized locations and at random times. To find them, open your map and look for the purple markers. Here’s an example of what that looks like:
Unfortunately, as the spawn location on the right shows, Overlord Spires may appear outside the Zone.
After reaching a spawn point, wait for the gargantuan floating rock monster to appear, then aim for the glowing parts on its body to take it down. Keep in mind that the real danger comes not so much from the Overlord Spire as from your fellow players, who may be going for the Unstable Exotic Weapons as well.
If you’d rather take your chances with the Rank S Hero Caches, you must first boost your Hero Rank by doing heroic deeds, which means eliminating enemy players and henchmen, surviving Storm Phases, and taking Sprites to their Shrines. Once you’ve reached S-rank (which will be displayed on your screen), you can open any S-rank Hero Cache you find.
Every available Hero Cache will be marked on your map, so as soon as you reach S-rank, be sure to check for nearby caches!
Every Hero Cache is marked with a large letter to show you its tier. If it’s red, your Hero Rank is too low to open it, but if it’s green, you’re free to collect the loot.
Which Unstable Exotic weapon in Fortnite has the most unique powers
The Unstable Frostfire Shotgun currently stands out as the Unstable Exotic weapon with the most unique set of powers in Fortnite. When you successfully land a shot, the weapon randomly applies one of two powerful movement effects: either you receive the Pepper Effect-dramatically increasing your speed and action rate-or your enemy is inflicted with a slowdown debuff, making them significantly easier to target or chase down. This dual, randomly-cycling utility-buffing your own mobility or hindering your opponent’s escape-offers far more versatility than the singular effects of the other Unstable Exotics.
For comparison:
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Unstable Yoink Shotgun: Pulls enemies toward you on a successful shot, enabling aggressive plays but with increased risk at close range.
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Unstable Voltage Burst Pistol: The first and last shots from each clip create an area shockwave for crowd control or repositioning.
The Frostfire Shotgun’s ability to alter both your own and your opponent’s movement states on hit provides the most distinctive and impactful gameplay options among all Unstable Exotics.
Which Unstable Exotic weapon in Fortnite offers the most game-changing effect
The Unstable Frostfire Shotgun offers the most game-changing effect among Fortnite’s Unstable Exotic weapons. It cycles between two powerful effects on each successful hit: either granting you a “Pepper” effect that dramatically boosts your speed and action rate, or applying a slowdown debuff on your enemy, severely limiting their mobility. This dual effect can turn fights around by either enhancing your own agility or crippling your opponent’s movements, making it highly versatile and impactful in battle.
Other Unstable Exotics include:
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Unstable Yoink Shotgun: Pulls enemies closer for a follow-up blast, which is riskier but rewarding if you land the shot.
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Unstable Voltage Burst Pistol: Creates shockwaves on the first and last shots of a clip for area control and disruption.
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More recent additions like the Unstable Thunderclap DMR and Unstable Bounce Grenades bring unique but less universally game-changing effects compared to the Frostfire Shotgun.
Overall, the Frostfire’s combination of offensive and defensive utility through speed buffs and enemy slowdown makes it the most game-changing Unstable Exotic weapon currently in Fortnite.
