What is a Recon Scanner in Fortnite

This Page/Section is about an item / mechanic that has been put in The Vault.

This item has been made unavailable in standard playlists to balance the loot pool. It may return in the future.

This Item/Mechanic is not present in competitive playlists.

It can still be found in core playlists and other game modes when available.

The Recon Scanner is a Utility Item in Fortnite: Battle Royale. It was introduced in Chapter 2: Season 7.

Functionality

The Recon Scanner is a two round grenade launcher that shoots a Scanning projectile. This projectile marks all Containers and Opponents (Including Animals). The field stays active for 15 seconds, before disappearing. The Projectile blinks red for a few seconds before the field dissipates. The projectiles also do very low player and structure damage.

Recon Scanner in action

Stats

The Recon Scanner deals 5 damage per shot and uses

Recon Scanner
Rare
DPS: 15
Damage: 5
Fire Rate: 3
Magazine Size: 2
Cooldown: 15s

The Recon Scanner is a Slow Moving Projectile Weapon. There is no damage falloff on the Recon Scanner's projectiles.

Obtained

From when the item was last available in Chapter 3: Season 2:

Strategy Guide

The risk was calculated... but man am I bad at math.

This section outlines a strategy. Feel free to add tips, tricks and general advice about the topic.

• The Recon Scanner can be used as a weapon, although it is largely pointless. The weapon deals 5 damage, giving it almost the lowest DPS in the game.
• Combining this with the Rail Gun's ability to shoot through structures allow you to easily attack your opponent behind a structure.

History

Chapter 2: Season 7

• Update v17.00: Added the Recon Scanner in Rare rarity. Can be obtained in IO Supply Chests and by eliminating Doctor Slone.

• Update v17.10: Increased the recharge time for the Recon Scanner, as well as how long the projectiles are active.
  • Also added an internal ammo type to the weapon:
    
    Scanner Ammo.
  • Ammo Boxes will now be marked with a circle if scanned.

Chapter 2: Season 8

• Update v18.00: The Recon Scanner can only be found in IO chests and as a drop from Doctor Slone.

Chapter 3: Season 1

• Update v19.00: Vaulted the Recon Scanner.

Chapter 3: Season 2

• Content Update v20.40: Unvaulted the Recon Scanner for the Rail Gun Recon Week.
  • May 31, 2022: Vaulted the Recon Scanner.

Trivia

• Prior to Update v17.10, Recon Scanner’s ammo was displayed as
  
  Rockets, despite the Recon Scanner actually not using it.
• Despite the model holding 8 rounds at once, the Recon Scanner can only fire two shots before needing to go on cooldown. It also never needs to reload the shots in the weapon.
• The Recon Scanner cannot mark a player who is using an Inflate-A-Bull.
• Recon Scanner has a small screen showing the number of opponents scanned. If it hits 100, the number rolls over to zero.
• Recon Scanner bolts act as physical objects, which means they can be destroyed or abducted with a Saucer.
• Opponents’ Recon Scanner bolts will glow red.
• The Recon Scanner was previously also obtained by eliminating Doctor Slone.

Where is the Recon Scanner in Fortnite?

How do Recon Scanners detect enemies?

Is the Recon Scanner a weapon?