After FNCS 2025, more players are choosing Zero Build over standard Battle Royale—and the shift could change the entire esports and betting scene. With easier mechanics, bigger accessibility, and growing viewership, Zero Build might soon become the default competitive format. That means new betting odds, fresh strategies, and more unpredictable outcomes for fans and bettors alike.
The future of competitive Fortnite looks brighter than ever following the 2025 FNCS Global Championship, but this year’s buzz wasn’t only about the winners. Instead, the biggest conversation in the Fortnite community is about how people are playing the game itself.
The rise of Zero Build mode—Fortnite’s alternative format without construction mechanics—has been steadily reshaping both the casual and competitive landscapes. What started as a fun experiment back in 2022 has now become a legitimate force in the esports scene. And if current trends continue, Zero Build could eventually surpass traditional Battle Royale (BR) as the go-to format for tournaments, streamers, and yes, betting markets.
Why Zero Build Is Gaining Popularity
Fortnite’s building mechanic has always been its defining feature. No other mainstream shooter offers the vertical, fast-paced construction battles that long defined the game. But while building makes Fortnite unique, it also creates a steep learning curve that deters beginners.
With Zero Build, Epic Games simplified the experience by focusing purely on gunfights, positioning, and resource management. The result? A format that feels more familiar to fans of PUBG, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends, while still keeping Fortnite’s signature style.
Recent player counts underline this shift. At the time of reporting, there were 65.4K active players in Zero Build Battle Royale compared to 64K in standard Battle Royale—a slim but telling margin. And according to reputable leaker HYPEX, Zero Build was more popular than standard Battle Royale for the week of September 3, signaling a trend that may only accelerate.
Standard BR vs. Zero Build: What Bettors Need to Know
For esports bettors, the gameplay differences between the two modes are key. In standard Battle Royale, building is the heart of strategy. Players spend much of their time gathering materials, and fights often come down to who can out-build and out-edit the other. Matches tend to favor the highly skilled mechanical players who can create towering structures in seconds.
Zero Build removes that element entirely. Instead of farming materials and relying on build battles, players must win fights through positioning, accuracy, and resource management. To balance this, Zero Build introduces an overshield mechanic that absorbs 50 points of damage and regenerates automatically, keeping players in the fight longer.
This makes Zero Build more accessible and gives sharp aimers or tactical thinkers a bigger chance to shine. For bettors, this translates to a wider competitive field and more unpredictable outcomes, which often means better value when betting on underdogs.
Could Zero Build Overtake Battle Royale in Esports?
For now, FNCS and most major Fortnite tournaments still focus on the traditional BR format. However, as esports evolves, so too does the need to match player and viewer preferences. If Zero Build continues to attract a larger player base, it’s only a matter of time before Epic Games leans into it for competitive play.
From a betting perspective, this shift could be monumental. More viewers will mean bigger betting pools. Different skill sets will lead to more volatility and potential upsets, giving underdog wagers more appeal. And as Zero Build grows, expect sportsbooks to roll out new prop bets tailored to the mode—such as first elimination, overshield clutch plays, or longest-range snipe markets.
What Tournament Organizers Might Do
The most likely transition path will be gradual. Epic Games may start with single Zero Build showcase tournaments, testing interest before fully committing. If viewer numbers spike, especially when paired with Twitch Drops or other rewards, Zero Build could quickly become a bigger part of the FNCS circuit.
From a betting perspective, that’s when the real opportunities will emerge. As prize pools shift and official tournaments feature more Zero Build, sportsbooks will expand their markets. Just as Warzone betting grew once Activision invested in competitive play, Fortnite betting will follow the same pattern once Zero Build becomes a staple.
Conclusion: Betting on Fortnite’s Future
The appeal of Fortnite Zero Build is clear—it’s easier to learn, more accessible for casuals, and levels the playing field for esports hopefuls. For Epic Games, this means a larger audience and higher viewership potential. For bettors, it means new opportunities, more volatility in match outcomes, and potentially lucrative betting lines as the scene transitions.
Building will always be part of Fortnite’s DNA, but with Zero Build’s momentum, esports could look very different by the time the next FNCS Global Championship rolls around.
So whether you’re a Fortnite fan, an esports bettor, or both—it’s time to start paying attention to the Zero Build revolution. Because when the odds shift, you’ll want to be ahead of the curve.
