Fortnite’s Chapter 5 Season 4 brought a major injection of Marvel tech to the island, and few additions reshaped firefights quite like War Machine’s Arsenal, War Machine’s Auto Turrets, and War Machine’s Hover Jets. These Epic-rarity items gave players new ways to fly, lock onto targets, and unleash explosive damage, but they were far from common drops. After all, why would some of the most powerful gear in the loot pool simply appear in every regular chest? That question sent countless players hunting for Avenger’s Chests and chasing down enemies who had already claimed the hardware.
Locating War Machine’s Weapons
The most reliable method to obtain War Machine’s Arsenal, Auto Turrets, or Hover Jets is to find and open an Avenger’s Chest. These containers are wide silver and blue boxes marked with the Avengers logo on top. Opening one does not guarantee a War Machine item, but it will always drop some kind of superhero-themed weapon or utility. Considering how valuable the Marvel loot pool was during the season, even a different Avenger’s Chest reward was usually worth picking up.
For players who do not want to rely solely on Avenger’s Chests, regular chests and floor loot could occasionally produce one of War Machine’s weapons. However, the chances were slim, making random searching a slow and frustrating approach. Another proven tactic is eliminating an opponent who already carries one of the items. A player hovering through the air with Hover Jets or shooting automatically from a turret backpack is not difficult to spot, so aggressive squads could treat those visible signals as an invitation to steal the gear.
Does an Avenger’s Chest guarantee a War Machine drop? Not exactly, but it is still the best way to chase one specific piece of tech without relying on blind luck.
Breaking Down the Three War Machine Items
Each of War Machine’s weapons serves a different purpose, and understanding their strengths is essential for getting real value out of them.
| Item | Function | Key Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Hover Jets | Let players jump and then hover in the air, ascend, boost, or drop down | Use weapons while airborne and watch the fuel bar |
| Auto Turret | Backpack-mounted gun that automatically locks onto nearby opponents | Keep moving and treat it as support damage, not a primary eliminator |
| Arsenal | Fires bullets and rockets for explosive damage | Use this as the main offensive weapon when combining the full kit |
Hover Jets
To activate War Machine’s Hover Jets, players simply jump into the air and tap the jump button again to begin hovering. From there, holding the jump button makes the character ascend, pressing the left stick triggers a boost, and pressing the right stick returns the player to the ground. One of the biggest advantages is that other weapons can be used at the same time, allowing players to rain fire from above while staying mobile.
The Hover Jets have a limited use time of around 18 seconds. Using the boost feature drains the fuel faster, so aggressive aerial play requires constant attention to the fuel bar. When the timer runs out, the player returns to the ground without taking fall damage, followed by a short cooldown before the jets can be used again.
Auto Turret
War Machine’s Auto Turret works like a backpack fitted with a large gun. Players do not need to aim or fire manually because the turret automatically locks onto and shoots any nearby opponents. That hands-off design sounds powerful, but the damage is fairly minimal compared with dedicated weapons. Standing still while relying on the turret is a mistake, as it leaves players vulnerable to enemy fire. Instead, the Auto Turret works best as a supportive tool that adds pressure while the player keeps moving, builds cover, or switches to a stronger weapon.
Arsenal
War Machine’s Arsenal is the most traditional offensive item of the three. It can fire bullets and rockets at enemies, dealing explosive damage and making it the strongest direct-combat option in War Machine’s kit. Players who value straightforward firepower should prioritize the Arsenal over the Auto Turret, especially during mid-range engagements.
Using All Three Items Together
The real potential of War Machine’s gear appears when all three items are combined. Hover Jets provide vertical mobility and a better firing angle, the Arsenal supplies burst damage and rockets, and the Auto Turret adds automatic pressure against nearby threats. A player using the full kit becomes a flying, auto-targeting arsenal, which fits the War Machine fantasy perfectly.
Still, even the ultimate loadout has weaknesses. Hover Jets deplete fuel over time, the Auto Turret cannot carry a fight on its own, and skilled opponents can shoot a hovering player out of the air. Smart players use the kit aggressively but stay aware of cooldowns and positioning.
For anyone revisiting Fortnite’s Marvel-heavy content or studying how high-tier seasonal weapons changed the meta, War Machine’s three items remain a memorable example of how mobility, automatic fire, and explosive damage can be combined into one powerful package. They also helped players take on Doctor Doom and his villainous allies with much more confidence.