How to Get Bot Lobbies in Fortnite: A Comprehensive Guide

Fortnite, the ever-popular battle royale, is known for its intense competition and challenging gameplay. Sometimes, you just want to relax, complete challenges, or practice your skills without facing off against highly skilled players. This is where the concept of ‘bot lobbies’ comes in. Bot lobbies are matches populated primarily by AI opponents, making them significantly easier to win and providing a stress-free environment. While Epic Games doesn’t officially support or encourage bot lobbies, there are methods players have discovered to increase their chances of encountering them. This guide will walk you through the strategies, explain the underlying mechanisms, and provide tips for maximizing your success in finding bot-filled matches. It’s important to note that these methods aren’t guaranteed, and Epic Games can change the matchmaking system at any time. Therefore, this information should be used as a guide and not a cheat.

Understanding Fortnite’s Matchmaking System

Before diving into the methods, it’s crucial to understand the basics of Fortnite’s matchmaking system. Epic Games utilizes a skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) algorithm that attempts to place players with others of similar skill levels. This algorithm considers various factors, such as your performance in recent matches (kills, placements, damage dealt, etc.), your account level, and your playtime. It also considers your region and the time of day to find matches with low ping and reasonable wait times. While the specific inner workings of SBMM are secret, these elements play a critical role in who you get matched with. The aim of SBMM is to create balanced and competitive matches, which is why encountering bot lobbies can be tricky.

However, SBMM is not perfect, and the algorithm prioritizes quick match times over perfect skill balance. This is where the possibility of bot lobbies arises. When there aren’t enough players of a similar skill level available, the system will fill the lobby with bots to start the game rather than wait for more players. These bots generally have predictable patterns and are far less challenging than real players.

Methods to Increase Your Chances of Getting Bot Lobbies

Here are various methods that players have reported success with, along with detailed steps and explanations:

1. Creating a New Account (Smurfing)

Concept: This is perhaps the most consistent method for encountering bot lobbies. When you create a brand-new account, the SBMM algorithm has no data about your skill level. As a result, the system will place you in lobbies filled with other new players or, more often, bots while it calibrates your skill rating. This effect generally fades as your account gains more playtime and matches.

Steps:

1. Create a new Epic Games account: You’ll need a new email address to create a separate account.
2. Download and install Fortnite: Log in with your new account credentials.
3. Play your first few matches: In these initial matches, you’ll likely encounter a high percentage of bots.
4. Continue playing: The proportion of bots may decrease as you play more matches and win often, but generally, you will be put into less competitive matches for longer than your main account. The first few hours of gameplay on a new account are usually the most bot-heavy.

Pros: Highly effective, particularly in the initial matches. Gives you a clean slate and the ability to learn without competitive pressure. Good for practicing new strategies or weapons.

Cons: Requires creating a new account, meaning you won’t have your existing skins, cosmetics, and battle pass progress. You’ll lose your friend list. It can be time-consuming to grind the battle pass again. Ethical considerations arise from the practice of smurfing.

2. Playing During Off-Peak Hours

Concept: During off-peak hours, fewer players are online, meaning the SBMM algorithm has fewer real players to match you with. To fill lobbies quickly, the system will often resort to using a higher proportion of bots.

Steps:

1. Identify off-peak times in your region: This varies depending on your location. Generally, late at night or early in the morning are good options.
2. Play during these times: Monitor the game and note which time periods provide the most bot matches.
3. Experiment: The best times can shift with new game updates, so check this regularly.

Pros: Simple to try, doesn’t require creating a new account. May lead to less competitive games in general. Good for when you have limited playtime.

Cons: Not guaranteed to work every time. Off-peak times can be inconvenient for your schedule. The effect is typically less significant than starting a new account.

3. Intentionally Losing Matches (Tanking)

Concept: By intentionally performing poorly in a number of matches, you lower your internal skill rating according to the SBMM algorithm. This, in theory, should lead to the game matching you with less skilled players and, potentially, more bots. This method is not recommended, as it could negatively impact your overall experience and that of your teammates.

Steps:

1. Play normally for a few rounds: This sets a base skill level for the game to begin with.
2. Intentionally lose matches: Jump off the map immediately, get eliminated early, or just avoid fighting. Do this repeatedly.
3. Play normally again: After a series of losses, try playing to win again. The game may place you in easier lobbies with a higher bot count.

Pros: Doesn’t require a new account. Can be a way to relax if you are getting frustrated with the game’s current difficulty.

Cons: Not effective always, and can be time-consuming. Can ruin the experience for any teammates you might be matched with. Can be frustrating and takes some of the fun out of the game.

4. Playing with Lower-Skilled Friends

Concept: When you party up with friends, the game takes the highest skill level of the party and adjusts matchmaking accordingly. Playing with lower-skilled friends can lower the skill range of the lobby, leading to more manageable matches and potentially a higher chance of bots, especially if the SBMM algorithm has trouble finding enough players of that specific skill level. It is important to note that if your friend is new or has a very low skill rating, the game will likely adjust to ensure all players have a chance to participate.

Steps:

1. Invite lower-skilled friends to your party: This might be friends who are new to the game or struggle with winning matches.
2. Play in a party: The game will adjust matchmaking according to the average skill range of the group.
3. Continue playing together: Monitor the difficulty of matches and adjust accordingly.

Pros: Allows you to play with friends. Creates less competitive matches and can help lower-skilled friends improve. Can lead to easier wins for everyone.

Cons: Requires having friends who are lower-skilled. Not a foolproof method and may not significantly increase the number of bots.

5. Playing Creative Mode and Return To Lobby

Concept: Some players report that spending time in Creative Mode and then returning to the lobby can trick the game into thinking you’re less active. While there’s no guarantee, it’s possible it can impact your next matchmaking, potentially leading to a slightly easier lobby.

Steps:

1. Enter Creative Mode: Play a custom map, or use the practice range.
2. Play for 10-15 minutes: The more time spent in creative, the more effective this strategy is supposed to be.
3. Return To Lobby: Go back to the normal game mode lobby.
4. Start A Match: Begin a regular match, and monitor the bot activity.

Pros: Simple to do, doesn’t require new accounts. Easy way to pass time in between matches.

Cons: May not significantly increase bots, effectiveness can vary greatly.

Important Considerations

• No Guarantees: It’s crucial to understand that none of these methods provide a 100% guarantee of getting bot lobbies. The SBMM algorithm is constantly being adjusted, and what works today might not work tomorrow.
• Account Progression: As you play and improve, the SBMM algorithm will adjust your rating accordingly, and you’ll likely see fewer bots over time unless you use the method of creating new accounts.
• Ethical Implications: Intentionally losing matches or creating new accounts to get into easier lobbies can be considered a form of smurfing, which some players find unethical. It’s important to consider the impact this has on the game experience of others.
• Enjoy the Game: At the end of the day, Fortnite is a game meant to be enjoyed. While bot lobbies can be fun for a change of pace, it’s important to also embrace the challenge of competing against real players and strive to improve your skills.
• Updates: Keep an eye out for any game updates or patch notes that may impact the matchmaking system. Epic Games often makes tweaks to the algorithm, which can affect the effectiveness of the above methods.

Conclusion

Finding bot lobbies in Fortnite can be a way to unwind, complete challenges easily, or simply enjoy a less competitive environment. While there are strategies you can try to increase your chances, it’s important to keep in mind that the matchmaking system is constantly evolving, and guaranteed methods are unlikely. Whether you choose to create a new account, play during off-peak hours, or try other methods, remember to play ethically and have fun. The goal should be to enjoy the game, whether you’re facing bots or highly skilled opponents. Experiment, learn from your experience, and most importantly, have a great time playing Fortnite!

Always remember to check the latest patch notes and updates from Epic Games, since strategies that work today might not work in the future. This guide provides helpful tips and techniques to try, but it doesn’t guarantee that you will always encounter bot-heavy lobbies. Good luck, have fun, and happy gaming!