Let’s relieve the glory days!
Since its launch in 2017, Fortnite has evolved far beyond its original “Battle Royale” roots. One of the most beloved elements among longtime fans has been its Limited-Time Modes, or LTMs — special game modes that deviate from standard play and offer wild, creative, or competitive twists. Some are lighthearted and chaotic, others are strategic and intense. But many of them come and go in a flash, leaving players asking the same thing. Why haven’t they brought that back? This article dives into the best LTMs in Fortnite history. Whether you’re a Fortnite OG or a newer player looking to catch up, here’s a list of unforgettable LTMs and what made them iconic.
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- Floor Is Lava
Let’s start with one of the most chaotic — and beloved — LTMs ever: Floor Is Lava.
In this mode, lava slowly rises across the map, forcing players to climb higher and higher to survive. Every game felt like a race against time and gravity. Players had to build upwards constantly, loot on the move, and time their battles with precision. The pressure to stay above the lava made every encounter more intense, and teamwork was crucial.
It wasn’t just fun; it taught players better building strategies and positional awareness. The verticality this mode encouraged is rarely matched in standard battle royale matches.
Why it should come back: Fast-paced, thrilling, and incredibly replayable. It gave Fortnite a “party game” feel without sacrificing competitiveness.
- 50v50
This was the first major team-based LTM and remains one of the most requested returns. 50v50 pitted two massive teams of players against each other in a giant-scale war across the island. Resources were more plentiful, respawns were disabled, and endgames turned into massive build battles and sniper duels between two armies.
50v50 created an experience that emphasized community and camaraderie over solo skill. It gave casual players a more forgiving environment to practice and enjoy the chaos.
Why it should come back: No other mode captured the same sense of scale and teamwork. In an age of trios and duos, this was Fortnite’s answer to full-on warfare.
- Solid Gold
What’s better than looting for epic and legendary weapons? Starting with them!
Solid Gold only includes legendary-tier weapons and gear, allowing every player to access top-tier loot. This mode made every fight faster and more lethal, leveling the playing field and removing RNG from the equation.
For many players, this mode was a playground of pure skill. With no “bad” guns around, quick reflexes, and smart positioning were key.
Why it should come back: It’s perfect for competitive practice and great for eliminating gear-based disadvantages.
- Sniper Shootout
A fan-favorite for sharpshooters and long-range tacticians, Sniper Shootout stripped Fortnite down to one core mechanic: accuracy.
Players could only use sniper rifles and scoped weapons. The result? Slower, more methodical gameplay that emphasized positioning, map knowledge, and precise aim.
It was a great way for players to hone their long-range skills while enjoying the thrill of one-shot eliminations.
Why it should come back: It’s a test of pure aim skill, and nothing is more satisfying than a 200-meter headshot.
- Wick’s Bounty
Inspired by the John Wick movies, this LTM had players competing for gold tokens by eliminating targets, with the top players becoming marked and visible on the map.
It mixed bounty hunting with high-stakes survival and made every elimination feel valuable. Players had to weigh the risk of taking out a high-value target versus hiding and waiting it out.
Why it should come back: It was a stylish, fun twist on standard gameplay — and arguably the best movie tie-in Fortnite has done.
- One Shot
In One Shot, everyone had 50 HP, fall damage was lethal, and only sniper rifles were available. To make things even more intense, gravity was reduced, so players jumped higher and fell slower — making them harder to hit but more exposed.
It was pure adrenaline. Every moment felt like a highlight reel, and one wrong move could spell instant defeat.
Why it should come back: It’s pure chaos, skill-based, and made even average players feel like trickshot legends.
- Close Encounters
Love the pump shotgun? This one was for you.
Close Encounters only allowed shotguns and jetpacks, forcing fast-paced, up-close battles in the air and on the ground. It was frantic, brutal, and incredibly fun.
Because of the jetpacks, mobility was high, and players were often fighting in 3D space, dodging shots in midair while trying to land that perfect shotgun blast.
Why it should come back: There’s nothing like aerial shotgun duels — and it pushed Fortnite’s mechanics to the extreme.
- Marvel Knockout / Infinity Gauntlet
Fortnite’s collaborations with Marvel introduced LTMs that were more than just reskins. The Infinity Gauntlet mode let one player become Thanos, with god-like powers, while others tried to stop them. The Marvel Knockout LTM gave players superhero abilities like Iron Man’s repulsors and Thor’s hammer.
These modes weren’t just gimmicky — they were polished, balanced (mostly), and injected fresh energy into the game.
Why they should come back: These LTMs proved Fortnite can be more than a shooter — it can be a superhero sim too.
- Pro 100
Less of an LTM and more of a Creative experience that gained temporary promotion, Pro 100 was a team deathmatch-style mode with respawns and instant action.
It offered a break from battle royale for players who wanted pure combat practice or fast matches.
Why it should come back: It’s great for warming up, learning weapons, and having low-pressure fun.
- Spy Games / Operation: Knockout
These espionage-themed LTMs were introduced in Chapter 2 and had players choosing factions, unlocking perks, and using secret-agent-style gadgets. Modes like Operation: Knockout and Operation: Dropzone felt like mini-games from a James Bond movie.
They were team-based, featured loadout customization, and had a progression system separate from the main game.
Why it should come back: It added strategic depth, gadget-based combat, and meaningful choices — unlike anything else Fortnite has done.
Why Epic Needs to Revive These LTMs
While the main battle royale mode remains the core of Fortnite, these LTMs added variety, creativity, and community engagement that kept the game feeling fresh. They allowed players to step outside the usual formula and experience Fortnite in entirely new ways.
Some LTMs even acted as experimental test beds for future content. For example, Zero Build — now a mainstay mode — originally felt like an LTM idea before becoming permanent.
With the tools available in Creative 2.0 and UEFN, the community could likely recreate many of these experiences. But it’s not quite the same as having an official, polished version brought back by Epic Games with full matchmaking support and progression.
In conclusion
Fortnite is at its best when it embraces its chaotic, creative DNA. LTMs are a perfect expression of that spirit — offering players unexpected ways to play, laugh, compete, and improve. Whether you’re sniping in One Shot or flying through the air with a jetpack in Close Encounters, the best LTMs feel like entirely new games inside the one we already love. Epic, bring these modes back!
This content is provided by SkyCoach.
