Overview

This page is split into multiple sections, as there are 7 different variants with the same name.

High Tier
Safe - Container - Fortnite This item is currently vaulted in Battle Royale and Reload.
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It has been made unavailable to balance the loot pool, and may return in the future.
It is still available in Creative and UEFN.

Fires at a very high rate, dealing great damage while consuming a lot of ammo.
— In-Game Description

The Submachine Gun is a Submachine Gun in Fortnite: Battle Royale that was added in Chapter 2: Season 1.

Functionality

Functionality[]

The Submachine Gun is a fast firing, short range, high hip-fire accuracy weapon, in line with most SMGs in the game. Its purpose is to deal high amounts of DPS in a close range environment. The weapon can function at longer ranges, but it suffers from high damage falloff and low accuracy.

The Submachine Gun is a Hitscan weapon without First Shot Accuracy.

The Submachine Gun can be aimed down sights while reloading.

Stats

Stats[]

Current Stats since v40.00[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 198
DAMAGE 18
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 18
MAGAZINE SIZE 36
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 2.09s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 31.5 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 209
DAMAGE 19
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 19
MAGAZINE SIZE 36
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 1.98s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 33.25 (1.75x)

Stats from v38.00 to v40.00[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 198
DAMAGE 18
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 18
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 2.09s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 31.5 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 209
DAMAGE 19
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 19
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 1.98s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 33.25 (1.75x)

Stats from v16.20 to v38.00[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 209
DAMAGE 19
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 19
MAGAZINE SIZE 35
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 1.99s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 33.25 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 220
DAMAGE 20
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 20
MAGAZINE SIZE 35
FIRE RATE 11
RELOAD TIME 1.89s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 35 (1.75x)

Stats from v13.20 to v16.20[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 190
DAMAGE 19
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 19
MAGAZINE SIZE 35
FIRE RATE 10
RELOAD TIME 2.2s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 33.25 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 200
DAMAGE 20
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 20
MAGAZINE SIZE 35
FIRE RATE 10
RELOAD TIME 2.1s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 35 (1.75x)

Stats from v13.10 to v13.20[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 200
DAMAGE 20
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 20
MAGAZINE SIZE 40
FIRE RATE 10
RELOAD TIME 3.1s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 35 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 210
DAMAGE 21
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 21
MAGAZINE SIZE 40
FIRE RATE 10
RELOAD TIME 3s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 36.75 (1.75x)

Stats from v13.00 to v13.10[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 1.75x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 240
DAMAGE 20
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 20
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 12
RELOAD TIME 1.8s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 35 (1.75x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 252
DAMAGE 21
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 21
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 12
RELOAD TIME 1.75s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 36.75 (1.75x)

Stats from v11.00 to v13.00[]

The Submachine Gun uses Light Bullets - Ammunition - Fortnite Light Bullets and has a headshot multiplier of 2x.

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Epic)
DPS 240
DAMAGE 20
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 20
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 12
RELOAD TIME 1.8s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 40 (2x)
Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun
(Legendary)
DPS 252
DAMAGE 21
STRUCTURE DAMAGE 21
MAGAZINE SIZE 30
FIRE RATE 12
RELOAD TIME 1.75s
CRITICAL HIT DAMAGE 42 (2x)

Sounds

Sounds[]

Submachine Gun (High Tier) - Weapon - Fortnite Submachine Gun Sounds
Sounds ID
Pickup Bullpup_Pickup_01
Equip Pistol_PDW_Equip
ADS In SMG_FirePetal_ADS_In_01SMG_FirePetal_ADS_In_02SMG_FirePetal_ADS_In_XX
Out SMG_FirePetal_ADS_Out_01SMG_FirePetal_ADS_Out_02SMG_FirePetal_ADS_Out_XX
Shoot Close (Own) Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_01Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_02Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_03Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_04Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_05Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_06Pistol_PDW_Fire_1p_XX
Close (Other Player) Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_01Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_02Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_03Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_04Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_05Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_06Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Close_XX
Medium Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_01Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_02Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_03Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_04Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_05Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_06Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Med_XX
Distant Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_01Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_02Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_03Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_04Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_05Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_06Pistol_PDW_Fire_3p_Dist_XX
Shell Impact Core_SMG_ShellImpact_01Core_SMG_ShellImpact_02Core_SMG_ShellImpact_03Core_SMG_ShellImpact_04Core_SMG_ShellImpact_05Core_SMG_ShellImpact_06Core_SMG_ShellImpact_07Core_SMG_ShellImpact_XX
Reload Start Pistol_PDW_Reload_Start_01Pistol_PDW_Reload_Start_02Pistol_PDW_Reload_Start_03Pistol_PDW_Reload_Start_XX
Insert PDW_Reload_Insert_01PDW_Reload_Insert_01PDW_Reload_Insert_01PDW_Reload_Insert_01
End PDW_Reload_End_01PDW_Reload_End_01PDW_Reload_End_01PDW_Reload_End_01
Out of Ammo Pistol_OutofAmmo_01Pistol_OutofAmmo_02Pistol_OutofAmmo_03Pistol_OutofAmmo_04Pistol_OutofAmmo_XX
Drop Weapon_Generic_Drop_Rifle_Hv_01Weapon_Generic_Drop_Rifle_Hv_02Weapon_Generic_Drop_Rifle_Hv_03Weapon_Generic_Drop_Rifle_Hv_04Weapon_Generic_Drop_Rifle_Hv_XX
Former Sounds (Before v38.00)
Equip PDW_Reload_End_01
ADS In Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_IN_01Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_IN_02Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_IN_XX
Out Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_OUT_01Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_OUT_02Weapon_HEAVYASSAULT_ADS_OUT_XX
Shoot Loop Close PDW_Fire_Loop_01
Medium PDW_Fire_Loop_MediumNew_01
Distant PDW_Fire_Loop_DistantNew_01
Low Ammo ar_lowammo_loop_03
Shoot Stop Close PDW_Fire_Stop_01
Medium PDW_Fire_Stop_MediumNew_01
Distant PDW_Fire_Stop_DistantNew_01
Reload Start PDW_Reload_Start_01
Insert PDW_Reload_Insert_01
Insert Slam PDW_Reload_InsertSlam_01
End PDW_Reload_End_01
Weapon Changes

Weapon Changes[]

Chapter 2: Season 1[]

Update v11.00[]

  • Added.

Chapter 2: Season 3[]

Update v13.00[]

  • Decreased headshot multiplier from 2x to 1.75x.

Content Update v13.10[]

  • Stats changed to match the Compact SMG.
    • Increased magazine size from 30 to 40.
    • Decreased fire rate from 12 to 10.
    • Increased reload time from 1.8s/1.75s to 3.1s/3.0s.

Update v13.20[]

  • Decreased magazine size from 40 to 35.
  • Decreased damage from 20/21 to 19/20.
  • Decreased reload time from 3.1s/3.0s to 2.2s/2.1s.

Chapter 2: Season 6[]

Update v16.00[]

  • Changed in-game description from Pistol: Machine Pistol. Fires at a very high rate, dealing great damage while consuming a lot of ammo. Good for run-and-gun combat, and accurate enough to fight at mid range when fired in short bursts. to Fires at a very high rate, dealing great damage while consuming a lot of ammo.

Content Update v16.20[]

Chapter 4: Season 2[]

Update v24.00[]

  • Decreased magazine size from 35 to 30.

Chapter 6: Mini Season 2[]

Update v38.00[]

  • Increased reload time from 1.99s/1.89s to 2.09s/1.98s.
  • Decreased damage from 19/20 to 18/19.
  • Decreased structure damage from 19/20 to 18/19.
  • Decreased spread.
  • Updated firing, reload and equip sounds.

Chapter 7: Season 2[]

Update v40.00[]

  • Increased magazine size from 30 to 36.
  • Increased spread.
  • Increased equip speed.
  • Increased ADS speed.

Weapon ID

Weapon ID[]

Submachine Gun is referred to as Athena SMG in the files.

Strategy

Strategy[]

Calculated - Emote - Fortnite This section outlines a strategy.
Feel free to add tips, tricks and general advice about the topic.
  • The Submachine Gun is ideal paired with a Shotgun, due to their close range abilities, if you do not kill the enemy with the Shotgun, switch to the Submachine Gun to finish them off.
  • The Submachine Gun can be very good at destroying builds, as it has a high DPS, good magazine size and does not lose Structure Damage at range.

Counters[]

  • Keeping distance between you and an opponent using a Submachine Gun can be beneficial, as even when ADS, the Submachine Gun has somewhat poor accuracy.
Mode Specific History

Mode Specific History[]

Battle Royale and Zero Build History

Battle Royale and Zero Build History[]

Chapter 2: Season 1[]

Update v11.00[]

  • Introduced.

Chapter 2: Season 2[]

Update v12.00[]

  • Vaulted.

Chapter 2: Season 3[]

Update v13.00[]

  • Unvaulted.

Content Update v13.10[]

  • Upgrading a Rare rarity Low Tier model now gives an Epic High Tier model.

Update v13.20[]

Chapter 2: Season 4[]

Update v14.00[]

  • Vaulted.

Chapter 2: Season 5[]

Update v15.00[]

  • Unvaulted.
  • Can no longer be sidegraded between a Rapid Fire SMG of the same rarity.

Chapter 2: Season 7[]

Update v17.00[]

Update v17.10 Hotfixes[]

Reload History

Reload History[]

Chapter 6: Season 2[]

Update v34.30[]

  • April 15th 2025: Unvaulted.

Chapter 6: Season 3[]

Update v36.30[]

  • Vaulted.

Chapter 6: Season 4[]

Update v37.00[]

  • Unvaulted.
  • August 13th 2025: Vaulted.

Update v37.51[]

  • October 24th 2025: Unvaulted.
  • October 27th 2025: Vaulted.

Creative History

Creative History[]

Chapter 4: Season 2[]

Update v24.00[]

Chapter 4: Season OG[]

Update v27.00[]

News Tab

News Tab[]

Image Description Date
Classic Weapons (C2S6 - News Tab) - Promo - Fortnite
Classic Weapons
Wild's not your style? Use Mechanical Parts to craft any Makeshift weapon into a reliable classic.
March 20th 2021
Primal Balance Changes (News Tab) - Promo - Fortnite
New Balance Changes
Wild forces continue to rage on the Island! The power of many items including SMGs, Bows, and the Recycler have increased, and you'll find fewer Makeshift Weapons and more Crafting Parts.
April 15th 2021
Chapter 2 Remix Weapons (1 - News Tab) - Promo - Fortnite Drop In Like It's Hot
Light 'em up and get down with the snoop-ified Drum Gun and Boogie Bomb, make 'em go Boom with Ka-Boom Bow, and more!
November 2nd 2024

Trivia

Trivia[]

  • Submachine Gun has had a confusing life as a weapon in Battle Royale:
    • Before its release in Season 5, the Submachine Gun had existed before in Seasons 0-2, which was technically a separate weapon, but was vaulted after that.
    • Then before v5.00 it was added back as Submachine Gun PDW with an old P90 Icon.
      • Description: Pistol: Machine Pistol. Fires at a very high rate, dealing great damage while consuming a lot of ammo. Good for run-and-gun combat, and accurate enough to fight at mid range when fired in short bursts.
    • Then in later seasons, the Compact SMG was added, which served as the Epic and Legendary versions of the Submachine Gun, but was still a different weapon.
    • Finally in Update v11.00, the Compact SMG was vaulted, the Epic and Legendary versions of the Submachine Gun were added with the statistics of the Compact SMG given to them, in order to make them a single weapon.
    • After Update v13.00, the Compact SMG and the Epic and Legendary versions of the Submachine Gun were in the Loot Pool at the same time, with the Compact SMG having worse stats.
  • Epic and Legendary Submachine Guns resemble the Belgian FN P90[1].
    • The P90 model itself differs drastically from its real life counterpart. As the magazine, receiver and carry handle have been moved more forward from the bolt, leaving the stock to be very short as a result. With this a foregrip was added to use up the newly added space.
  • The stats for this weapon were already present in v10.40.
Gallery

Gallery[]

Promotional Images[]