The Close Encounters LTM has finally returned to Fortnite after over three years away, but what exactly is it, and how do you play it?
While Fortnite is best known for its classic Battle Royale and Zero Build modes, it’s also experimented with plenty of limited-time playlists over the years. These range from crossover events like Infinity Gauntlet to the Among Us-inspired Imposters.
One of the most popular was Close Encounters, which was first released back in 2018 and was last seen in 2022. Now, as part of Fortnite OG Season 4, it’s finally back, so here’s everything you need to know about it.
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Where to find Close Encounters mode in Fortnite
The Close Encounters mode can be found from the main Fortnite menu under the ‘By Epic’ heading. Alternatively, you can use the search bar to find, and once you’ve played it once, it will be added to the ‘Recent’ bar at the top of the menu for easy access.
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Some players have been struggling to find it as it’s part of Season OG and not the main game, but with these directions, it should be pretty easy to find.
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Close Encounters explained
Taking place on the OG map, Close Encounters removes all weapons except Shotguns, forcing players to get up close and personal to secure eliminations. Don’t worry, though, there are also other items on offer, such as Grenades.
All players also spawn in with a Jetpack automatically equipped, allowing you to soar into the air or quickly chase down rival teams with no fear of fall damage. This is especially useful, as the mode currently doesn’t allow building, so you’ll need to use the extra mobility to reach higher vantage points.
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When the mode last returned in 2022, players often built high into the sky to avoid being eliminated, as even destroying the sky base wouldn’t result in death. This is likely why building has been removed this time around.
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However, there are vending machines scattered around that provide useful resources in exchange for materials, so it’s still worth stacking up on wood, brick, and metal.
Loot pool
Compared to regular Fortnite, this LTM features a much smaller loot pool, with only a handful of guns, items, and heals to work with. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll see:
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Weapons
- Pump Shotgun
- Tactical Shotgun
- Heavy Shotgun
Items
- Grenades
- Implulse Grenades
- Jetpack
Healing
- Bandage
- Medkit
- Small Shield Potion
- Shield Potion
- Slurp Juice
- Chug Jug
How long is Close Encounters on for?
There is currently no official end date for Close Encounters, but it’s expected to run until the end of Fortnite OG Season 4, which is scheduled for August 8, 2025. If this turns out to be true, you have just under a month to get your fix and complete all of the associated Quests.
For more on Fortnite, be sure to check out when the next live event is due, as well as the upcoming Fantastic Four collaboration.
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