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The best places to land in Fortnite

The fallout power armor in Fortnite.
Epic Games

Survival is key in Fortnite, and it all starts by picking the best starting location. Even if you’re an expert player, your likelihood of coming out on top is greatly diminished if you start off on the wrong foot — whether it be at a barren location with no loot or a hot drop that could lead to a swift death.

As part of Fortnite Chapter 5, Season 3, there’s no shortage of fantastic landing spots, but which one is best comes down to your skill and preference. With that in mind, here are the best places to land in Fortnite for veterans, beginners, and everyone in between.

The best places to land in Fortnite

Before jumping into the list of the best places to land in Fortnite, it’s important to be aware of what makes a good landing spot. Sure, any place with decent loot might serve you well, but there’s more to consider than that. Does a spot have a consistent chest/loot spawn? Are there guaranteed materials? Is it close to other places of interest (POI)s? Is it out of the way? Of course, loot is the most important aspect, but it does you no good to have a stacked loadout if you’re stuck in the storm. These recommended landing spots all have some degree of consistency and fantastic loot. they also typically have some quirk that makes them effective depending on your playstyle.

Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus
Epic Games

Mount Olympus is located on the southeastern portion of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map, and is almost impossible to miss because of its massive size. This returning POI is an excellent spot to drop, as it offers tons of great loot housed within its multilayered layout, including Olympus Chests that can contain valuable items like the Thunderbolt of Zeus, which lets you hurl thunderbolts at your foes. It’s also home to a boss battle against Zeus, who will drop a powerful Mythic Huntress DMR and a guaranteed Thunderbolt of Zeus. Just be prepared for firefights, as this location is typically highly contested.

The Underworld

The Underworld in Fortnite.
Epic Games

The Underworld is located in the northwestern section of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map. It’s hard to miss thanks to the green water that can be found all around it, which grants you a temporary dash buff when touching it. Like Mount Olympus, this returning POI is a rather highly-contested location certain to offer some hectic firefights, but the loot here can be fantastic. Most notably, you’ll be able to find Underworld Chests, so you may score some top-tier weapons or even the Wings of Icarus, which can let you soar into the sky and divebomb your enemies. While you’re there, don’t forget to face off against Hades in a boss battle to earn his Mythic Harbinger SMG.

Reckless Railways

A player drives a motorcycle through Reckless Railways in Fortnite.
Epic Games

Reckless Railways is located just northeast of the center of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map. While there’s nothing particularly special about Reckless Railways at a glance — though it is large and grants you a lot of opportunities for loot — it’s among the best spots on the map for rotations. Sure, it’s not at the exact center of the map, but it’s close enough that you can go nearly anywhere when you’re done. A road runs right down the center of the POI, too, so a quick escape is a cinch if you find a vehicle!

Classy Courts

Dropping into the Classy Courts location in Fortnite.
Epic Games

Classy Courts is located in the northeastern section of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map, which gives you a lot of choices to the south for rotating. While this landing spot isn’t necessarily the most loot-dense, it’s a really fun place to start because of the layout of the area. You can find plenty of chests on the tennis courts here if you want to get right into the action, or you can land in one of the buildings on the outer rim to play things just a little bit safer against those who will be pushing in on you from the courts. That’s why we picked it as one of the best places to land in Fortnite.

Brutal Beachhead

Brutal Beachhead location in Fortnite
Epic Games

Brutal Beachhead is found in the deep south of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map. It’s an excellent spot to snag some loot and get prepared, and it provides ample opportunity for rotations. You can make your way left to Sandy Steppes, right to Redline Rig, or north for some showdowns at Nitrodome. But most of all, this sand-drenched location is home to a boss named Megalo Don who will drop Megalo Don’s Nitro Fists and Megalo Don’s Combat Shotgun, both of which can make you a powerhouse to be reckoned with. Just be warned that he doesn’t go down easily.

Lavish Lair

Players fight in front of the Lavish Lair location in Fortnite.
Epic Games

The Lavish Lair is undoubtedly one of the best places to land in Fortnite. It’s located in the northern section of the Chapter 5, Season 3 map, so you should be able to rotate just about anywhere you’d like to from this spooky mansion. There’s no shortage of loot to go around here, and it’s a super fun place to have firefights — something you should definitely be expecting if you choose this POI. Its popularity all but guarantees you should have plenty of chances to flex your skills and walk out all kitted-up.

The Train

A player landing on the train in Forrnite.
Epic Games

The Train moves around the Chapter 5, Season 3 map and can be an incredibly popular landing spot. There’s a good reason for its popularity, though — it’s a very enjoyable way to begin a match and provides a decent helping of loot for those who stick around. If you hack the chest on the train and defend it for a brief period, it’ll reward you with a nice selection of weapons and healing items to choose from before you decide where you’d like to depart. All aboard for one of the best places to land in Fortnite!

Frequently asked questions about Fortnite landing spots

Whether you’re playing Fortnite on an iPhone or your PC, there are some common questions players have about assessing the map and getting a good drop. Here are the answers to your most burning Fortnite landing and map questions:

What are the hot spots in Fortnite?

One thing that can always change your plan about where to land is a particular match’s hot spots. Fortnite hot spots are easily found by looking for the golden-colored POI names around the map. Hot spots indicate that a given area will have increased supplies during the match, but will probably also attract more competition than other areas. Players that prefer a slower-paced game, turtling to the finish, will do best to avoid hot spots. Meanwhile, players looking for a fight and the best gear should opt to land in a hot spot, even if its POI isn’t on this list. Hot spots in Fortnite are different for each match, so check your map for the golden-named POIs before jumping.

How do you land faster in Fortnite?

To land faster in Fortnite, look directly down and press your “walk forward” button during the drop. This strategy can help you get items before competitors regardless of where you land.

How do you get the best drop in Fortnite?

To get the best drop in Fortnite, consider using the Copilot tool. This tool maps out the game and helps you to mark your landing with precision and ease. That way, you can get your game off to a perfect start.

Do gliders matter in Fortnite?

Gliders don’t necessarily matter in Fortnite in terms of offering you a competitive advantage, as they’re classified as a cosmetic item. However, there are plenty to choose from, so pick one that best suits the visual style you’re seeking.

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Billy Givens
Billy Givens is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing gaming, film, and tech content. His work can be…
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