When it comes to live-service multiplayer games, there are few out there that can match the success of Fortnite. For almost six years now, Fortnite has continued to grow in popularity, and a huge reason for that is just how consistently the game gets updated. In this Season alone, Fortnite has received a new cyberpunk area, completely changing the bottom-right corner of the map, along with some new weapons, augments, and vehicles. That's not even mentioning the recent Attack on Titan update, which adds two new Mythic weapons to the game.
With its consistent and frequent updates, Fortnite is repeatedly setting the example for how other live-service multiplayer games should be approaching their own content drops, and that's never been more apparent than with its most recent update. Just a few days ago, Fortnite received a brand-new weapon that feels as though it should have been added into Apex Legends.
Fortnite's Lock-On Pistol Could Pave the Way For the Smart Pistol in Apex Legends
Fortnite just added the Lock-On Pistol, which lets players engage the pistol's lock-on ability by aiming down sights. Aiming at an enemy for a few seconds will slowly charge the gun's lock-on, indicated by the glowing pink triangles around the crosshair. The pistol can store a maximum of four locked-on shots, all of which bend around corners and obstacles to seek out their target.
For fans of Titanfall, this pistol is going to feel immediately reminiscent of that series' Smart Pistol. Introduced in the first Titanfall, the Smart Pistol is one of the series' most defining weapons, able to lock onto an enemy and fire a maximum of 12 shots. The first Titanfall's iteration of the Smart Pistol is infamous for how overpowered it was, being available as a sidearm that's capable of locking onto targets within seconds. In Titanfall 2, the Smart Pistol was paired back significantly, only being available as a Boost power-up that's unlocked a few times in a match. Despite getting nerfed, the Smart Pistol remains one of Titanfall's most iconic elements.
It's a bit strange, then, that the Smart Pistol has never come to Apex Legends, whichis set in the Titanfall universe. For years now, Titanfall fans have pleaded with Respawn to put the Smart Pistol in Apex Legends, but these wishes have not yet been granted. With the Lock-On Pistol now in Fortnite, this paves the way for the Smart Pistol to finally come to another battle royale in Apex Legends.
The biggest worry of putting the Smart Pistol in Apex Legends is that it would feel too overpowered, but Fortnite proves that doesn't need to be the case. Though it's still early for Fortnite's Lock-On Pistol, it seems well-balanced, with players only being able to fire off four rounds at a time and the lock-on duration taking a good few seconds. Put simply, players in a skilled lobby can't rely on the Lock-On Pistol alone. Apex Legends could adopt a similar method with the Smart Pistol, limiting its ammunition to just a few bullets per magazine, or making it some kind of rare, special weapon with limited uses. It just seems strange that Fortnite has a Smart Pistol and Apex Legends doesn't, so hopefully Respawn takes notes.
Fortnite is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
