Mastering the Launch of a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever come across a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite and wondered what it is for?

Explore the world of Kinetic Ore and how it can enhance your gameplay experience. Find out where to locate Kinetic Ore, how to harvest it, and how to launch it.

Learn about the benefits, risks, and limitations of using Kinetic Ore in Fortnite to become a more strategic and skilled player.

What Is a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite?

A Kinetic Cube is the initial form of emerging alien technology first introduced to the game in Chapter 2, Season 7, of Fortnite. It is naturally occurring underground alien crystalline technology with a colored radial design similar to that seen in Zero Point orbs. These crystals reside beneath the surface of the island in vertical formations. By harvesting these ore-filled six-sided alien cubes players were able to use the cubes to build walls, floors, or ramps which were infrequently harvested to create an energy-up granular loot called Kinetic Ammo.

Where Can You Find Kinetic Ore in Fortnite?

You can find critical stimulus devices scattered around the edge of Corrupted Zone areas on the Fortnite island map. Blue colored lumps can be harvested with a pickaxe and yield Kinetic Ore when broken. There is currently a single area on the Battle Royale map where the material is hidden beneath a sandy surface. This area has been revealed following the weekly updates by user-created maps of hidden items, which include Kinetic Ore under the sand.

How to Harvest Kinetic Ore?

The quest to harvest kinetic ore in Fortnite involves a simple walk-and-sense strategy from which players can venture to new points on the map having destroyed bit-tick infested rocks. These rocks can be found near the Spire. Players become attuned to these reddish, slightly glowing selections of large boulders as they are able to sense a hum and glow of a nearby bit-tick swarms. Before the discovery of kinetic ore during Season 6, this previously undiscovered rare mineral was one of the Spire Guardians’ closely guarded supplies, making it mostly inaccessible.

There are big changes regarding ore ready for the taking in Chapter 3 Season 1. The map landscape is beginning to resemble a space mine inhabited by miners complete with technology and vehicles. The map’s terrain has not changed much and most prominent are the Quantum Crystals used to upgrade weapons, Slurp barrels to serve as shields, and various fungi for health. Flying saucers can be found on the map which are a highly useful piece of technology used by miners to carry their harvest back.

What Tools Do You Need to Harvest Kinetic Ore?

You do not need tools to harvest Kinetic Ore in Fortnite. Other than knowing what the Kinetic Ore looks like and where to find it, you just need your character’s hands to smash it. Kinetic Ore boulders have 15 times more breakable bits (39 bits as opposed to the usual 3) and drop 4-6 crafting parts per hit. This means that hitting an ore bit will provide a substantial amount of crafting parts.

Do not fret about losing them before you can pick them up, as they do not have an explosion or vanishing feature. During the second map, Kinetic Ore can even be further upgraded by a technician to have double height lift-off potential which grants 20% faster movement when in secondary jump mode, 400% structure healing for the duration of the accelerated mode, and healed users for 5 health after 4 consecutive headshots.

What Is the Purpose of Kinetic Ore?

Kinetic ore attaches to any wall and upgrades the player’s pickaxe to a purple tier speed. Purple-tiered pickaxes operate at 0.9 swings per second, which is faster than gold (0.8 swings per second) and slower than Mythic pickaxes and most exotic pickaxes (all 1.0 to 1.1 swings per second). Purple pickaxed take as few swings per material to break as anything that isn’t gold. Both the predecessor to the Smashwalls pickaxe and its rarer twin the LaserPick had 1000 HP. Chug Splash and Low Gravity Pickaxes fall in further the range of 0.7 swings per second to 0.8 swings per second.

How to Launch a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite?

To launch a kinetic ore in Fortnite, build a ramp that will propel the ore towards the island you wish to target. Constructing a ramp that guides the ore towards the Central Reef or to the Lagoon Reef is advantageous as it places you much closer to the Crystal Coral Colonies. Whichever destination you prefer, the process is the same. Prepare to launch the ore from the high ground. Dismantle the structure tip or hit the ore.

Unlike a vial, the Kinetic Ore is not a projectile and cannot be thrown. It remains in place until you hit it, meaning you must be able to strike the Kinetic Ore with either a pickaxe or your equipped gun. A swift hit of the ore on its launching platform sends it to its destination.

Step 1: Find a Kinetic Ore

Kinetic Ores are little rough diamond-shaped rocks that pop up in various places. These types of rocks can be harvested by striking them. The ore pops up once you collect them, and by interacting with their pressure plate, players will be able to launch themselves. These only stick around for three uses, and ten of them can be found at a time in the game. They are most commonly found inside the Cabbage Patch Barn.

Step 2: Harvest the Kinetic Ore

You must harvest Kinetic Ore in Fortnite after you find it and use your Pickaxe to break off the sections you want to get rid of. Harvest of the Kinetic Shockwave faster results from using a better Pickaxe.

The Shockwave Pickaxe (Kinetic) is the best choice because it will allow the rapid harvest of the Kinetic Ore with only a few blows of the Pickaxe. The Flatliner Pickaxe and the Rally Royale Pickaxe are other harvesting tools that are compatible with the Kinetic Ore type.

Step 3: Place the Kinetic Ore on the Ground

When used on the ground, the Kinetic Shockwave Launcher behaves like a regular weapon, but with superior blasting power. It blasts away everything in a medium-sized square around your target, with results catching out even the most advanced Fortnite players.

Most agree that the Kinetic Kinetic Ore is meant to be launched and not carried or thrown on the ground as it has bigger knock-out power upon launch. However, it can be used as a slow-moving ground trap just by being dropped, which can be helpful. The Kinetic Ore has no recharge and disappears quickly after impact determined by gravitational forces or until removed by a player. It can be picked up again if it has not been used yet. Otherwise, the only way to replenish the Kinetic Ore is to earn another one.

Step 4: Interact with the Kinetic Ore

Using your Action Button set in the Interact Key bind of Settings, interact with the Kinetic Ore to activate it. This will blast energy from the Kinetic Ore into and potentially alert surrounding anomalies to their presence. This energy wave from the impact of the kinetic explosion can travel a distance over several walls and damage anything directly in its path.

Step 5: Aim and Launch

After choosing a bouncy object, hop to your chosen launching spot while holding the item, position the bouncer, and assign the building piece for easy launch access. Aim the object with practiced accuracy, practice launching at reduced power from a safe spot just in case the launch goes awry, or learn to fold your umbrella glider quickly to drop back down to the surface if an accidental unwanted launch occurs. It is of critical importance to practice building and falling techniques with the item you are attempting to launch because one accidental misfire in Kinetic Ore could spell doom if you don’t have a backup plan.

Once you are positioned, it is the same as any other preferred launch method, such as jump boosting. This flexibility is simply not offered in any other game. The idea of adding surfboards or similar items to other game in an effort to have a similar diverse and exciting game environment. Surfboards were added, but few players see them as a significant difference in strategizing their gameplay. They are fun and take advantage of proximity to water areas, but no more essential than bouncers as launch objects.

What Are the Benefits of Launching a Kinetic Ore?

The main advantage of launching a kinetic ore is the relatively easy launch high and far then if one were to simply throw it. It can also be used as a weapon to do up to 60 damage to an opponent and can be used as a grenade to destroy various structures.

It travels an extended distance before exploding so players have time to get behind cover or well clear of it unless they are currently engaged in close-quarters combat. If a player is in the distance and needs immediate weapons or assistance, they can grab a kinetic ore and launch it back towards them. It has good explosive radius allowing newbies to hit the relies of tall structures or cover without pinpoint accuracy.

Increased Mobility

Fortnite encourages launching of kinetic ore to increase mobility in the game. The smaller the ore, the lesser the additional weight it allows players to carry. This is balanced against a slightly longer time to upgrade than larger ores with more weight.

Players may prefer to launch smaller ores in order to keep other loot items they are carrying. In general, you will go farther by carrying a single large ore than with multiple small ones, and if you need to escape, launching a small ore is easier with less noise and bounce than a large one.

Damage to Enemies

The Kinetic Forcefield Mineral is the only mineral you can use defensively in Fortnite creative and it currently causes zero damage when thrown from the harvester. Once a player has mined ore and trapped it into any of the harvesting tools they can throw it with different levels of accuracy and distance. Depending on how long they hold the throw button before releasing the ore.

Zero force means the fastest, farthest, and least accurate throw. Greater force levels will make the throw smaller, shorter, and more accurate per the Solid Gold: Copper, Silver, Gold Striking just the right pose Fortnite article from January of 2021. As Gamer Wombat explains, Copper has lower force and zero damage while Gold has higher force and no damage but has the ability to bounce once and hit a player for a one-hit kill.

Breaking Structures

Following a Patch Note by EnchantedMuffin (Epic Games) on April 13, 2018, another feature of Kinetic Ore in Fortnite is that it can be used for breaking structures quickly. Modified Kinetic Ore weapons as an ore-based consumable that deals damage to structures are currently available in the game with a single use.

To break a structure with a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite, open your inventory by pressing I (computer keyboard), D-pad up (PlayStation), or small plus sign (Xbox). Select your Kinetic Ore from the inventory and place it at your weapon slot. Once you are inside the game, position yourself on the structure you would like to break and click on your trigger.

Creative Building

You can launch a kinetic ore in Fortnite by using a weapon that fires rapidly like Assault Rifles, Submachine Guns SMGs, or Pistols with their rapid fire rate mods equipped.

SMGs tend to expend less ammunition than rifles and stay on target better due to their slower first shot recoil time, which can prevent a kinetic ore from bouncing out of range. Having a teammate use a Surgeon’s Surplus Submachine Gun with the Rapid Fire legendary mod is also a good alternative.

Are There Any Risks or Limitations to Launching a Kinetic Ore?

There are several Risks or Limitations to Launching a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite including jeopardizing concealment, deliberately or inadvertently getting the attention of other players from the launch sound, taking falloff damage by the player initiating launch, getting hit by enemy fire during re-entry, launching your opponent to a new high ground during a build fight, and being unable to exit from the launch in time if an enemy shoots down in the middle of the launch.

Concealment: After using a launch pad to launch a Kinetic Ore, its launch trajectory back to the desired safe zone location can be spotted by an observant opponent, thus negating a player’s concealing advantage.

Loud noise and attention: Kinetic Launches are loud, which might attract unwanted attention from more opponents.

Falloff damage: If there is only limited time to mine a stack of ore nodes, then the player might not be able to mine them all out immediately. Thus it is imperative to ensure that enemy players do not get to utilize these ore nodes to re-approximate the lanuch calculation.

Getting hit by enemy fire: Most of the time immobile players are easy targets for enemies. And just like players can see the trajectory below, so can opponents. In the future, if Epic Games allows Kinetic Ore to be launched from any starting point to any ending point this would become less significant.

High ground transference: The risk of an opponent hitting back at a player is higher, especially if the user lifts the opponent up to roof height and then while flying out tries to edit a hole to get out. Such scenes are very common thus that should be avoided.

Shot Down: If an enemy player shoots down built structures mid-launch, it can completely ruin a player’s advantage.

Limited Range

Whether you are placing a Kinetic Orb in your own base, a public shelter, your enemy’s destructible building, or just using it in the wilderness, you should limit its range. This is to ensure that potential energy transferred to the ball will not go so far away that it harms your wall, forces you into the open, or provides the enemy a boost. To limit range, account for varying distances between the orb and a possible destination when placing the orb, as well as knocks from an expanding or retracting orb.

For the default ramp angle of 313°, the max distance the orb can go is 16 cells. Only two other angles can get this exact result, with 360° causing the orb to fly evenly over cells, and the max of 0° which has a slightly angled travel trajectory for maximum distance after impact. Most angles and all zero lengths will stop short and vertically redirect slightly upwards. This is because most ramp trajectory intersections only have a height percent slightly greater than 100%. As long as the vertical contact percent is not less than the usual 1% needed to make a bounce, you will have a kinetic orb which moves to approximately 77% of its maximum distance after impact.

Limited Supply

Ore Llamas have a primary supply of two kinetic ore and are the only twins available for this loot. While each ore gives players 100 shield and health and 200% bonus health and shield for 45 seconds that two does not do better. The only advantage to having multiples is that the SMG and shotgun timers need to be reset continually and individually. If one of the two becomes depleted, replacement usage perfectly timing the end of the regulator’s timer can ensure that full energizing ore is available for the next weapon. Ore llamas appear as colorful, animated llamas that jump around, float, and unveil their role as a Fortnite player approaches.

Vulnerable to Enemy Attacks

Sensors as well as the vulnerability of the Kinetic Ore to enemy attacks were increased at some stage after removal from testing. Although Epic Games does not yet confirm this usage, the in-game Kinetic Ore seems to undergo further changes throughout testing. There are signs of unresolved interaction between the Ore and Pollinating plants, though that could just suggest future expansion of its capabilities.

Vulnerability to enemy attacks is such that the following can destroy an active kinetic orb:

• 50 direct structure hits
• 25 remote structure hits
• 50 weapon hits
• 2 knocks from any explosive item
• 1 knock from a dragon’s breath bow

Tree trunks and root balls provide excellent cover in war zones and must remain unharmed if the kinetic orb is more likely to launch itself than is strategic to the plot. During our research, after destroying the root ball on each maple tree in a farm, we were able to get the Kinetic Ore to launch on the other phase about 30% of the time. This increased to around 60% after destroying both. Child Safety (2nd on the list because of its importance), is the most important factor that determines the likelihood of a Kinetic Ore moving unassisted after removal from testing.

Can Cause Self-Damage

Launching a kinetic ore can cause self-damage as well as damage to teammates. When in the air, aim to clear trees or rocks so the falling ore will not hit them. If launching indoors, ensure there is clear space and it is not possible for the ore to hit someone. Notably, when throwing ores on a stone floor, after the ore fully extends and contracts, a piece often pops off and can damage the one throwing.

Make sure your HP is high enough that a little damage won’t eliminate you, and pay attention to your teammates’ health. Better safe than sorry. If your teammate is only one shot from being finished, the ore falling on him could be what triggers your team to be eliminated. Respect the fall-off damage mechanics once ores are launched so do not stay too close to your teammate when you throw the ore. Remember to warn them against moving in the last seconds before it drops.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I launch a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite?

In order to launch a Kinetic Ore in Fortnite, you will need to locate one of these resources on the map. They can usually be found near cliffs or mountains. Once you have found a Kinetic Ore, simply approach it and interact with it to launch it into the air.

2. Can I launch a Kinetic Ore anywhere on the map?

No, Kinetic Ores can only be launched in specific locations on the map. These locations are usually near cliffs or mountains, as the Ore needs a surface to bounce off of in order to launch. You cannot launch a Kinetic Ore in open fields or areas without any structures or terrain.

3. Is there a specific way to aim the Kinetic Ore before launching it?

Yes, there is a way to aim the Kinetic Ore before launching it. After interacting with the Ore, use the on-screen reticle to aim in the direction you want the Ore to launch. You can also adjust the angle of the launch by moving your character or using the movement controls on your gaming device.

4. Can I use the Kinetic Ore as a weapon against my enemies?

Yes, you can use the Kinetic Ore as a weapon in Fortnite. When launched, the Ore can cause damage to players or structures that it comes into contact with. However, keep in mind that the accuracy and strength of the launch may vary and it may not always be the most effective weapon in combat.

5. How many times can I launch a Kinetic Ore before it runs out?

A Kinetic Ore can only be launched once before it disappears. After launching, the Ore will break apart and will no longer be usable. Therefore, it is important to use the Kinetic Ore strategically and make sure it is aimed in the right direction before launching.

6. Is there a cooldown period before I can launch another Kinetic Ore?

Yes, there is a cooldown period before you can launch another Kinetic Ore. After launching one, there is a short period of time before another Ore will appear on the map. This prevents players from spamming Kinetic Ore launches and adds an element of strategy to using them in the game.