Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 hides one of its best loot opportunities inside a rubber duck race at Heatwave Harbor. Trigger it correctly, follow the ducks to the finish, and two cannons will fire out some of the strongest gear in the current season, including a shot at the Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun. Here's exactly where to go and what to expect.
Where is the duck race in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3?
The duck race sits at the northeastern edge of Heatwave Harbor, not in the center of the POI where most players land. Head to the small bridge on the north side of the location. Once you're standing on it, you'll spot four rubber ducks lined up on the south side of the bridge, waiting to be set loose.
Duck race bridge at Heatwave Harbor
How do you start the duck race?
Activating the race is straightforward. Walk up to the ducks and hold the button prompt shown on screen. The four rubber ducks drop into the water and immediately begin racing through Heatwave Harbor in Mario Kart-style, complete with power-ups scattered along the route.
Your job is simple: follow them.
What happens along the route?
As the ducks move through the course, they collide with three sets of boxes. Each collision knocks loot loose for you to collect on the spot. The boxes drop mid-tier items, so grab what you can without falling behind the pack. The real payoff waits at the finish line.
What rewards do you get from the duck race?
Once the race concludes, two cannons fire out a full spread of high-value loot. The reward pool includes:
The Mythic Chaos Exploder Rifle alone makes this event worth going out of your way for. After testing it against enemies across multiple matches, it outperforms every other weapon available in the season at its range bracket.
Is the Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun a guaranteed drop?
No. The Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun is a high-chance drop from the finish line cannons, not a guaranteed one. You will always receive a strong haul regardless, including the Mythic Chaos Exploder Rifle and healing items, so the race is never a wasted trip even if the shotgun doesn't appear.
Tips for getting the most out of the duck race
- Prepare before activating. Grab a weapon and healing from Heatwave Harbor before touching the switch. Arriving empty-handed is a fast way to lose your loot to another player.
- Follow all three box sets. Each collision along the route drops usable items. Skipping them to rush the finish line leaves free gear on the ground.
- Watch your back at the finish. The cannon explosion is loud and visible across a wide area. Expect players to rotate toward the sound immediately.
- Return each match. The race resets every game, so this is a repeatable loot source across your session.
Chapter 7 Season 3 packs in a lot of secrets alongside its new mechanics. If you want to keep building your knowledge of the season, the Fortnite guides collection covers everything from free cosmetics to new systems. For free rewards specifically, the free Fish Stick Pickaxe guide walks through every Rivalry Rank reward and quest, and if you're still getting comfortable with how landing works this season, the Storm Surfing guide for Chapter 7 explains the new landing system in full detail.