Quick one for the Fortnite crowd: Epic added a toggle called Simple Build that makes building way easier with fewer inputs. It is great for learning, not so great if you care about control and speed. If you want to switch it off (or just understand what it actually does), here is the clean version without the menu maze.
What Simple Build actually is
Think of Simple Build as the build-side cousin to Simple Edit: two inputs instead of four. It lowers the barrier to entry, but you give up precision.
The setup is dead simple:
- Primary Input: Builds stairs, floors, or a roof based on where you are aiming. Look up + primary builds stairs. Look down + primary builds a floor. Aim at a placed floor and hit primary again to cap it with a roof.
- Secondary Input: Builds walls.
Combine those two and you can throw up quick structures without cycling through individual pieces. Fast, friendly, less fiddly. Also less exact.
How to turn Simple Build off
If you want your four distinct build inputs back, do this:
- Launch Fortnite.
- Open Settings.
- Go to the 'Game' tab (the one with the controller + cog icon).
- Scroll down to the 'Building' section.
- Find 'Simple Build' and turn it off.
- Hit 'Apply' to lock it in.
That is it — you are back to traditional building with separate inputs for each piece. If you prefer keeping Simple Build on, you can still customize it: head to 'Keyboard Controls/Controller Mapping' in Settings and set your preferred bindings under 'Simple Build'.
Should you use it?
New to the game? Or on a controller and struggling with manual builds? Start with Simple Build. It is accessible, it teaches the flow of snapping pieces together, and it gets you building without decision paralysis.
If you have been around a while or you want full control, flip it off. Manual builds give you four direct inputs, faster piece selection, and better placement under pressure. If you want to get competitive, you will need that precision — and yes, players who master manual builds will outpace you if you stick with Simple Build forever.
Also worth saying: if you do not like building at all, Zero Build exists for a reason. Play that.
The basics at a glance
Fortnite is from Epic Games, launched July 25, 2017. You can play it on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, PC, Android, iOS (where available), and Nintendo Switch. You will see people mention a Nintendo Switch 2 in platform roundups; consider that dependent on actual hardware availability.