Game Error Fortnite

Shockwave Grenade Rarity and Naming Anomaly - Fortnite Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-06 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-06 👥 Reports: 2 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

This is not a technical error but a deliberate, temporary in-game event tied to the Nick Eh 30 Icon Series cosmetic release, which transforms standard Shockwave Grenades into green-rarity "Crash Pad Jr." items.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The observed condition is a client-side visual and functional modification of the standard Shockwave Grenade item within a Fortnite match. The modification changes the item's displayed name to "Crash Pad Jr." and alters its rarity indicator to Uncommon (green). This is not a software error, crash, or configuration fault. The condition affects all platforms where Fortnite is operational, including Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Android. The condition manifests exclusively in specific game versions that contain the Nick Eh 30 Icon Series content package. Occurrence is 100% predictable and consistent for all players during the active event period when the relevant cosmetic item is equipped. The severity impact is classified as a cosmetic and minor functional alteration with no negative effect on game stability, performance, or network connectivity. No error codes, crash reports, or system logs are generated by this condition.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The primary symptom is the in-game inventory displaying a thrown item named "Crash Pad Jr." with a green Uncommon rarity border, replacing the standard Epic (purple) Shockwave Grenade. This occurs during gameplay when a player has the Nick Eh 30 "Back Bling" cosmetic equipped. The item's in-world model and thrown projectile also exhibit a distinct green visual effect, differing from the standard blue Shockwave Grenade effect. The game client does not terminate, no network timeouts occur, and matchmaking proceeds without interruption. The application continues to function within all normal operational parameters. The condition persists for the duration of the match or until the cosmetic item is unequipped.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Game Feature / Cosmetic Interaction Specific technical explanation: Equipping the "Nick Eh 30 Wrap" cosmetic item on a Back Bling slot triggers a scripted modification to the Shockwave Grenade's object class. The game's asset loading system references an alternate set of textures, name strings, and particle effects tied to the Icon Series content. Why this causes the problem: This is the intended behavior, not a problem. The game engine correctly executes the scripted cosmetic override. Category: Game Feature / Live Event Content Specific technical explanation: The game version includes a time-gated or conditionally loaded asset pack that modifies certain throwable items when specific cosmetic conditions are met. This is a deliberate design choice for thematic gameplay events. Why this causes the problem: The alteration is a feature, not a bug. The client is functioning as designed by the developers. Category: Configuration Error / Cosmetic Loadout Specific technical explanation: A player may have equipped the Nick Eh 30 cosmetic without full awareness of its associated gameplay effect, leading to a perceived discrepancy between expected and actual item behavior. Why this causes the problem: The user's expectation of standard Shockwave Grenade behavior conflicts with the active cosmetic modifier's programmed effect.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

The following solutions address the user's goal of understanding and controlling the observed item modification.

Solution 1: Unequip the Nick Eh 30 Cosmetic Item

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1 minute Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

From the Fortnite lobby, navigate to the Locker tab.
Select the character/outfit currently equipped.
Navigate to the Back Bling slot.
If the "Nick Eh 30" Back Bling is equipped, select it.
Choose a different Back Bling from your inventory or select "None".
Confirm the change and return to the lobby.

Technical Explanation: This solution removes the conditional script trigger. The game client no longer loads the alternate asset pack that overrides the Shockwave Grenade's properties, causing the item to revert to its default Epic rarity and standard name. Verification: Launch a match, obtain a Shockwave Grenade, and verify the inventory now displays the item as "Shockwave Grenade" with a purple Epic rarity border.

Solution 2: Verify Cosmetic Item Description

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 2 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

In the Locker, locate the "Nick Eh 30" Back Bling item.
Highlight the item but do not equip it.
View the item description text displayed on-screen.
The description will explicitly state that equipping this item transforms Shockwave Grenades into "Crash Pad Jr." items.

Technical Explanation: This step confirms the designed behavior through official in-game metadata. The description field is pulled from the game's localized string tables, which are part of the verified game build. Verification: The on-screen text confirms the transformative effect is an intentional feature documented within the game's own data.

Solution 3: Accept the Functional Modification

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 0 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

Acknowledge that the "Crash Pad Jr." functions identically to a standard Shockwave Grenade in all gameplay mechanics: bounce height, impulse strength, and environmental destruction.
Continue gameplay. The green visual effect and name change are purely cosmetic alterations with no statistical impact on the item's performance.

Technical Explanation: The underlying game code for the item's physics interaction remains unchanged. Only the surface-level identifiers (name, rarity color, visual effects) are swapped by the cosmetic system. Verification: The "Crash Pad Jr." propels players and objects with identical force to a standard Shockwave Grenade, confirming identical underlying functionality.

Solution 4: Perform a Game File Verification

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 5-10 minutes Success Rate: Medium (for general integrity, not for reversing this feature) Prerequisites: Epic Games Launcher access Steps:

Open the Epic Games Launcher.
Navigate to your Library.
Click the three dots (...) under Fortnite.
Select Manage.
Click Verify.
Allow the process to complete. This scans and repairs any corrupted or missing game files.

Technical Explanation: This ensures the game's asset files, including those for the Nick Eh 30 cosmetic and its scripts, are intact and not corrupted in a way that could cause unintended behavior beyond the designed feature. Verification: The launcher will display a "Verified successfully" message. The cosmetic effect will remain if the files are correct, confirming the behavior is by design.

Solution 5: Review Official Patch Notes

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Internet access Steps:

Open a web browser.
Navigate to the official Fortnite news page at https://www.fortnite.com/news.
Locate the patch notes for Chapter 5 Season 3 or the specific update that introduced the Nick Eh 30 Icon Series items (v29.30 or later).
Search the notes for "Nick Eh 30" or "Crash Pad Jr."

Technical Explanation: Official patch notes document intentional gameplay changes and feature additions. Finding mention of this effect confirms its status as a developer-implemented feature. Verification: The patch notes will contain an entry describing the Nick Eh 30 cosmetic and its associated Shockwave Grenade transformation effect.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

To prevent unexpected cosmetic gameplay modifications, regularly review the descriptions of cosmetic items before equipping them in the Locker. Monitor official patch notes published on fortnite.com/news to maintain awareness of new features and item interactions introduced with each game update. Configure your Locker loadouts deliberately, understanding that some cosmetics, particularly Icon Series or collaboration items, may include minor gameplay thematic alterations. There is no required maintenance schedule to prevent this specific condition, as it is an intentional feature. The condition will automatically resolve if the cosmetic item is cycled out of the game's available loot pool in a future season.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Epic Games support only if the "Crash Pad Jr." modification persists after unequipping the Nick Eh 30 cosmetic, or if it occurs when no relevant cosmetic is equipped. This would indicate a potential profile data corruption. Before contacting support, document the issue with a screenshot showing both the equipped locker items and the anomalous in-game item. Provide your Epic Games account ID and the platform you are using. Official support channels are accessible via https://www.epicgames.com/help. Do not contact support for confirmation of intended game features documented in patch notes.