Fortnite Showdown Act 3 is finally arriving as part of the Fortnite v40.40 update, and it looks like Epic Games is pushing the Rivalries event into its biggest stage yet. With Team Ice King and Team Foundation now battling through new milestone objectives, players are about to unlock Overwatch-themed rewards, fresh map locations, and major Zero Build gameplay changes.
The Fortnite v40.40 update is shaping up to be one of the most content-heavy patches of the season, especially with the Fortnite x Overwatch crossover now taking over the island.
If you want the full leaked breakdown of today’s update, check out our Fortnite v40.40 leaks guide.
Fortnite Showdown Act 3 Milestones Explained
Fortnite Showdown Act 3 revolves around two rival factions:
- Team Ice King
- Team Foundation
Both teams appear to share some milestone rewards, although their opening objectives are different. Players will need to contribute towards faction progress as the Rivalries event unfolds throughout the Fortnite v40.40 update.
Team Ice King Milestones
Team Ice King players are expected to unlock:
- Overwatch Payload Anomaly
- Overwatch loot caches
- Exclusive Overwatch spray rewards
The Payload Anomaly immediately sounds like one of the biggest additions tied to the crossover, and it could potentially become a limited-time gameplay mechanic connected to the event.
Team Foundation Milestones
Meanwhile, Team Foundation players appear to be receiving:
- Overwatch Dropship events
- Overwatch loot caches
- Exclusive Overwatch spray rewards
The Overwatch Dropship could end up functioning similarly to hot-drop supply events, giving players another high-risk location to fight over during matches.
The Paradigm Rumours Continue
One of the more interesting parts of the Fortnite v40.40 leaks is the growing speculation surrounding The Paradigm. Multiple rumours suggest that Showdown Act 3 could finally reveal that The Paradigm is still alive, potentially setting up a major storyline moment before the season finale.
Epic Games has been slowly building towards the end-of-season event throughout Chapter 7 Season 2, and many players believe Fortnite Showdown Act 3 will be the point where things begin escalating properly.
New Overwatch Map Locations Are Coming
Fortnite v40.40 is also expected to add several Overwatch-inspired landmarks to the island. These locations pull directly from classic Overwatch maps and should instantly stand out to fans of Blizzard’s hero shooter.
Leaked locations include:
- Hanamura
- Busan Drum Pavilion
- King’s Row
- Watchpoints
These new locations are expected to feature themed loot, event interactions, and potentially special objectives connected to the Rivalries event progression.
If you have already seen the leaked Fortnite x Overwatch skins, these map additions make the crossover feel far bigger than a standard cosmetic collaboration. You can check out all of the currently leaked cosmetics in our Fortnite x Overwatch skins article.
Fortnite v40.40 Is Making Huge Zero Build Changes
One of the biggest surprises from Fortnite Showdown Act 3 is the massive overhaul coming to Zero Build mode.
Epic Games appears to be testing several experimental gameplay systems during the rest of Season 2, potentially using player feedback to shape the future of Zero Build in Season 3.
Pocket Items Replace Building
The traditional Build button is reportedly being replaced with Pocket Items in Zero Build playlists.
Players will start each match with a utility item already equipped, with options including:
- Shockwave Grenade
- Med Mist Grenade
- Shield Bubble
These utility items will reportedly use cooldown systems instead of traditional stack limits.
New Starting Loadouts
Fortnite v40.40 could also give players:
- A starting pistol
- Small Shield Potions
- A default Pocket Item
This should make early-game fights feel far smoother, especially in busy drop locations.
Glider Redeploy Returns
Glider Redeploy is reportedly making a return in Fortnite v40.40, allowing players to rotate more freely around the map. Players may also be able to manually cancel their glider during their initial drop from the Battle Bus.
Another huge reported change is that lethal fall damage may no longer instantly eliminate players, instead leaving them critically weak.
Unlimited Sprinting With Pickaxes
According to leaks, holding your pickaxe could completely stop stamina drain, allowing unlimited sprinting while travelling around the island.
Combined with Overshield regeneration after eliminations, Fortnite v40.40 looks set to dramatically speed up Zero Build gameplay.
More Collaborations Could Arrive in Fortnite v40.40
Alongside the Fortnite x Overwatch crossover, leaks also suggest several additional collaborations could appear in the files during the Fortnite v40.40 update.
Potential collaborations include:
- The Boys
- EsDeeKid Icon Series
- LEGO Fortnite Star Wars content featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu
Even if some of these do not release immediately, Epic Games often hides future collaboration files inside major updates.
Fortnite v40.40 Could Be Setting Up the Live Event
With the Zero Point storyline now progressing rapidly, Fortnite Showdown Act 3 could end up being one of the final major steps before the Chapter 7 Season 2 live event.
Dark Voyager’s storyline involving Zero Point shards has continued building throughout the season, and many players now expect Fortnite v40.40 to begin laying the foundations for the final battle between Team Foundation and Team Ice King.
For more Fortnite coverage, leaks, guides, and live update news, check out our Fortnite guides hub.
