Fortnite: How to eliminate an opponent before the first Storm phase begins

The Storm dictates the ebb and flow of combat and rotation in Fortnite. Depending on where the Storm Circle forms, everything else must follow suit. Those left outside the safe zone when it shrinks will face their demise in the grip of The Storm.

However, when a match begins, there is a grace period before The Storm forms. Epic Games wants players to eliminate an opponent during this timeframe before the first Storm phase begins. Those who manage to complete the task will be rewarded with 20,000 XP.

Eliminate an opponent before the first Storm phase begins to earn 20,000 XP (Image via Twitter/iFireMonkey)

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How to eliminate an opponent before the first storm phase begins in Fortnite - A step-by-step guide

1) Land in a POI that has a lot of opponents heading towards it

Fort Jonesy is a decent place to land without having to worry about being shot at (Image via Epic Games/Fortnite)

While this may seem counterintuitive, players must land at a hot-drop POI to undertake this challenge. That said, this doesn't mean they have to land at Tilted Towers or Herald's Sanctum. Plenty of other locations on the map will do just fine.

For instance, if the Battle Bus' route is directly over POIs such as Fort Jonesy, landing here will work as well. As long as there are a few opponents to choose from, the challenge can be carried out with ease. Nevertheless, landing at the edge of the POI is always the best option.

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2) Look for basic gear (close-range weapons, small shield portions, healing items)

Shotguns, SMGs, and AR are a good mix of weapons (Image via Epic Games/Fortnite)

Once on the ground, the first course of action is to look for basic supplies. Since combat within POIs usually occurs at close to mid-range, finding an AR, SMR or Shotgun would be ideal. Additionally, it would be wise to stock up on healing items. It's not advisable to engage in combat without them.

While this is optional, for those playing Zero Build mode, finding a Cow Catcher can come in handy. Loopers can use them to absorb gunfire and provide cover. Players who can peek-fire accurately will find this utility item useful at any distance in combat. You can also use them to block doors and create chokepoints temporarily.

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3) Engage an opponent and defeat them as soon as possible

Don't let the Storm win! (Image via Epic Games/Fortnite)

Once the gear has been collected and supplies secured, the challenge's final step is finding and eliminating an opponent. To improve the odds of success, look for the high ground before engaging.

If the first few rounds inflict headshot damage, taking out the opponent will be easy. This will also prevent players from being third-partied by other opponents and subsequently make the task easier.

Players should keep track of The Storm counter on their screen to ensure that the challenge is completed within the given time frame. This will give them cues about how much time they have left before The Storm forms.