One of Fortnite’s most popular items, the Myst Gauntlets, has been officially removed from all tournaments — including FNCS and Cash Cups. While they’re still available in public matches, Ranked play, and casual modes, competitive players will no longer be able to use them. This change comes just as FNCS Major 3 enters its Group Stage, and it’s expected to shake up the competitive meta in significant ways.
Why Were the Myst Gauntlets Removed?
When Epic Games first introduced the Myst Gauntlets, their full potential wasn’t immediately clear. At first, players saw them as a fun way to defeat bosses or as an alternative to shotguns — though the latter never really worked in competitive settings. Over time, however, pros discovered better uses: combining their high build damage with coordinated pushes in the Trios format made them incredibly effective in late-game scenarios.
Recently, the Gauntlets became even more powerful when paired with the Crow transformation. This combination turned them into a double-slot item, sharing charges and offering unmatched mobility. Instead of being limited to just 10 uses, players could effectively rotate and stay invulnerable up to 200 times between the two forms — a game-changing advantage.
But this power may have been too much for competitive balance. With players spamming build damage and effortlessly rotating to high ground, the Myst Gauntlets became a central strategy. Epic’s removal of the Gauntlets from the tournament loot pool seems aimed at addressing this imbalance.
How Will the Competitive Meta Change?
The absence of the Myst Gauntlets will have two major impacts on tournament play:
- Less build spam: Without the Gauntlets, players can no longer rely on constant build-breaking pressure. This will likely lead to more traditional tactics, with players favoring spray weapons and coordinated pushes instead.
- Limited rotation: The Myst Form’s bird transformation now reverts to its original 10 uses, forcing players to be more strategic about when and how to rotate. This could lead to slower, more deliberate gameplay, with teams saving their bird forms for crucial late-game moments — such as claiming high ground or avoiding eliminations in the final zones.
While the Gauntlets were handy for quickly taking down bosses and controlling exotic weapon spawns, competitive teams have already adapted strategies that make boss fights less critical.
Looking Ahead: FNCS Without the Myst Gauntlets
As FNCS Major 3 progresses through its Group Stage, the removal of the Myst Gauntlets marks a key shift in the Chapter 6, Season 4 meta. Players and teams will have to adjust their strategies in both rotation and late-game pressure.
With weeks of high-stakes competition ahead, it will be interesting to see which new tactics emerge and how teams adapt without one of this season’s most impactful items.
Stay tuned as the FNCS unfolds and the competitive meta continues to evolve.