Fortnite's new season is all about speed. It's called Runners, and the whole thing is built around moving fast, collecting Sprites, and a rebuilt map called the Shattered Coast.
There's a lot packed into this one, and some of it is confusing at first, especially the Sprite system. So this guide keeps things simple. We'll cover the new map, the weapons, the movement items, the battle pass, and the brand new way to win a match. Let's get into it.
When did Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 start?
Runners went live on June 6, 2026, right after the Shattered live event on June 5. That event broke the island apart, and the new season puts it back together in a new shape.
The season is running now, so you can jump in and start collecting. As always, expect updates and new items to drop in throughout the season instead of all at once. Track the Countdown Live.
The theme: why it's called Runners
The name says it all. Chapter 7 Season 3 is focused on fast movement. New sliding items, speed boots, and a bright tropical look make this one of the quickest seasons in a while.
Story-wise, things pick up after the Shattered event, with the fight between The Foundation and the Ice King still going. Dr. Slone also returns and plays a big part in the season, which is a nice moment for players who follow the lore.
The new map: Shattered Coast
After the Shattered event, the island got rebuilt with familiar spots fused together and given a fresh twist. The new map is called the Shattered Coast, and it leans into that summer, beachy vibe.
Here are the key spots to know:
The tropical Zero Point POI: Dark Dominion is gone, replaced by a bright tropical area with the Zero Point sitting right in the middle. Expect this to be the busiest drop on the map.
Duck Mansion: tied to the duck-themed battle pass content. Battle pass locations usually get popular fast, so this one's worth a look.
Other new spots: Latte Landing, Wonkeeland, Battlewoods, Lifty Lodge, and Cluster Coast round out the changes.
If you're new to the map, drop somewhere quieter like Battlewoods or Lifty Lodge for a few games to learn the loot before fighting over the Zero Point.
Movement items: the heart of the season
This is where Runners earns its name. There are a few new ways to move, and learning them early gives you a real edge.
The Seven Power Boots
The Seven Power Boots let you power slide and sprint faster for a short time. They're the signature item of the season and are super strong in Zero Build, where good movement wins fights.
You find the boots inside The Seven Caches, new loot containers that rift down onto the map. These caches hold rare loot, and they're the main way to get your hands on the boots, so grab one when you see it land.
Seven Sliders and Shock Rocks
Two more movement tools shake up how you play:
Seven Sliders: slide faster than you can run, aim down sights mid-slide to slow time for a clean shot, then let the jets launch you into the air. Great for both escaping and pushing.
Shock Rocks: arriving later in the season. Crush one to get three midair jumps, which is perfect for quick repositioning.
Put these together with the Power Boots and you can cross the map, dodge fights, and third-party enemies faster than ever.
Sprites explained simply
Sprites are the biggest new feature, and also the most confusing. They came back after first appearing in Chapter 6 Season 1, but this time they work differently. Here's the short version.
Sprites are little creatures you attach to your character for a special power. There are 10 to collect at launch, and the big change is that you keep them permanently and carry them into future matches.
How Sprites actually work
Find and extract a Sprite during a match to add it to your collection.
Extracting also earns Sprite Dust, the currency that powers everything.
Spend Sprite Dust at the start of a match to summon a Sprite you already own, so you drop from the bus with its power ready. Rarer Sprites cost more Dust.
Level up Sprites by opening chests, getting eliminations, and extracting them. Max out and extract one to "Master" it, which unlocks season rewards.
The Sprite powers
Sprites come in different rarities, and each has its own effect:
Rare: Earth (better chest loot), Fire (fiery burst on big damage), Water (refill shield in water).
Epic: Duck (emote to refill shields), Ghost (cloak after reloading), Demon (steal health and shield on elimination), King (stronger pickaxe).
Legendary: Dream (random loot each level, legendary at max), Punk (a mystery one).
Mythic: Zero Point (spawns a mini shield bubble when you heal).
Gizmos that help
New items called Gizmos make collecting easier. The Portable Extractor lets you extract a Sprite from anywhere. Later, the Lucky Locator finds a buried chest with a Sprite you don't own, and the Extraction Site Booster powers up any Sprite you pull there. Gizmos can't be lost when you're eliminated, so use them freely. Check the patch notes.
New weapons in Chapter 7 Season 3
The loot pool got a refresh with some fun new guns:
Weapon | What it does |
|---|---|
Extending Focus Shotgun | Long-range shotgun; the barrel tightens over a 3-shot volley |
Surgical Burst Rifle | Burst fire with low recoil and little damage drop-off |
Chaos Exploder Rifle | Fires explosive cubes, nasty against players hiding behind cover |
Lancehead Pistol | John Wick's sidearm with a 21-round mag; throw your mag while reloading for extra damage |
A bunch of weapons returned too, including the Striker Pump, Maven Auto Shotgun, Ranger Pistol, Stinger SMG, Hunting Rifle, and Chaos Reloader Shotgun.
The battle pass
The Runners battle pass mixes original characters, remixes, and one big collab. The confirmed skins are The Guardian, Heatwave PJ, Vanguard Slone, Dylan, Cluster, John Wick – Pen & Ink, The Voidblade, and Wolfe.
The headliner is John Wick – Pen & Ink, a cel-shaded comic-style version of the classic skin. There's also a TheBurntPeanut sidekick crossover. Buy the pass during launch week and you unlock extra rewards like Gold Huntress Dylan, John Wick and Dog, and Dark Cubic Sneakers.
Bus Exfil: a brand new way to win
This one's genuinely new. Later in the season, some matches will end differently. There's a small chance the Battle Bus rifts back into the map, and you get a short window to board it.
Climb on, grapple up, and get at least one teammate to the rift-out point to secure the Victory. The wild part is that multiple teams can win this way in a single match. Keep an eye out for it, because it turns the usual last-team-standing rule on its head.
Other changes worth knowing
Ranked reset: everyone starts fresh, with a new top rank called Unreal Legends for players who hit Unreal, hold 2,500+ Skill Rating, and land in the Top 500 at the same time.
Battle Bus ADS: you can now aim down sights on the bus to scout the island and ping drop spots before you jump.
Reload updates: Reload got new Morphite weapons, better reboot gear as the match goes on, and in Zero Build, fall damage no longer eliminates you. Instead you drop to 1 HP and lose your shields.
Quick tips for new players
Learn the movement first. Grab Power Boots from Seven Caches and practice sliding. Speed is the whole point this season.
Extract Sprites every game. Even one extraction builds your Dust and collection over time.
Summon a Sprite before you drop. Spending a little Dust at the start gives you a power for the whole match.
Watch for the bus late-game. If Bus Exfil is active, it can hand you a win even if you're not the last squad.