This guide will empower you to enhance your building skills in Fortnite, enabling you to create structures more swiftly and strategically. By mastering the techniques and key strategies outlined here, you’ll find yourself outmaneuvering your opponents with ease. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this comprehensive approach will help you dominate the battlefield. Let’s investigate various building methods and tips that can elevate your game and keep you ahead of the competition.
Understanding Fortnite Building Mechanics
A comprehensive understanding of Fortnite’s building mechanics is necessary for any player who wants to gain an edge in the game. Mastering these aspects will help you build faster and more effectively, allowing you to outsmart your opponents.
The Basics of Building in Fortnite
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to building in Fortnite. You can create structures using different materials—wood, brick, and metal—each providing varying levels of durability. Start practicing the necessary controls, and soon enough, building will become second nature to you.
Types of Structures and Their Uses
Additionally, different types of structures serve distinct purposes in gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key structures:
Structure Type | Use |
Walls | Provide cover and block enemy fire. |
Ramps | Allow you to gain elevation quickly. |
Floors | Create platforms and prevent fall damage. |
Roofs | Offer additional cover from above. |
Mechanics vary slightly depending on the structure you choose. Understanding when to use walls, ramps, floors, or roofs can significantly affect your strategy during a match. Each structure has its own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing them can help you make better decisions in combat.
- Walls are best for immediate protection.
- Ramps are ideal for gaining a height advantage quickly.
- Floors can be used to build out from structures or create safe landing spots.
- Roofs can shield you from aerial attacks.
- Any structure can be combined creatively to suit your playstyle.
Structure Type | Durability |
Wood | Lowest durability but builds quickly. |
Brick | Medium durability and relatively quick to build. |
Metal | Highest durability but takes longer to construct. |
All Structures | Can be used in various combinations for tactical advantage. |
Resource Management for Effective Building
Management of resources is necessary in Fortnite. Gathering materials before and during a match allows you to build effectively when the need arises. Always keep an eye on your inventory to ensure you have enough resources for defensive and offensive maneuvers.
Building efficiently requires more than just knowing how to create structures; it also involves managing the materials you collect. By prioritizing resource gathering early in the game, you can prepare yourself for intense firefights.
- Wood is often the first material you’ll gather.
- Brick is found in buildings and structures.
- Metal can be obtained by dismantling cars and larger structures.
- Maintaining balance among resources is key.
- Any moment spent gathering materials can make the difference in combat.
Essential Building Controls and Settings
Some players underestimate the importance of configuring your controls and settings in Fortnite. Properly optimizing these aspects can significantly enhance your building speed and efficiency, allowing you to outmaneuver your opponents in intense situations.
Optimizing Key Bindings for Speed
While default key bindings may work for casual play, customizing them to suit your unique playstyle can take your building game to the next level. Assigning easy-to-reach keys for build structures like walls, ramps, and floors will help you react faster during battles. Additionally, consider grouping similar functions together for quick access.
Adjustable Settings for Improved Performance
There’s more to building than just key bindings. Adjusting your sensitivity settings for building can provide you with better control and precision. A higher sensitivity can lead to quicker builds, while a lower sensitivity allows for more accurate placements. Finding the sweet spot is necessary for maximizing your performance.
Understanding your game sensitivity is vital for balancing speed and accuracy. Experiment with different configurations to find what feels comfortable, as this varies for each player. You may also want to consider using a controller or mouse with customizable settings to enhance your experience even further. Fine-tuning these parameters can make a noticeable difference during gameplay.
Importance of Practice and Familiarization
Essential to mastering building in Fortnite is dedicating time for practice and familiarization with your controls. Building under pressure can be overwhelming at first, but repetition helps you develop muscle memory, making your movements become instinctive.
The key to becoming proficient at building is consistent practice. Spend time in Creative Mode to hone your skills, experiment with different structures, and familiarize yourself with your custom key binds. The more comfortable you are with your controls and building techniques, the faster you’ll be able to construct defenses and gain the upper hand in matches.
Strategies for Building Faster
For players looking to outmaneuver their opponents in Fortnite, mastering the art of building quickly is crucial. Understanding various building techniques can help you create defenses on the fly, ensuring your survival in challenging encounters.
Building Techniques for Quick Defense
Any experienced player knows that speed is of the essence when constructing defenses. Techniques such as rapid wall placements, cone & ramp combinations, and elevated structures can provide you with the necessary cover in a tight situation, giving you the upper hand in combat.
Using Pre-Built Structures for Advantage
Strategies for incorporating pre-built structures allow you to maintain momentum while focusing on offense. Instead of starting from scratch, consider utilizing existing buildings or terrain. This not only saves time but also enables you to gain high ground quickly, providing better sightlines and reducing vulnerability.
Faster deployment of pre-built structures can significantly enhance your gameplay. By identifying key locations or structures on the map that can serve as temporary cover, you’ll be able to engage or disengage from fights rapidly. This approach lets you maintain the element of surprise against your opponents and can significantly alter the flow of a match in your favor.
Double Editing: Mastering Speed Builds
Building efficiently includes mastering double editing, a method that allows you to construct and destroy structures simultaneously. This technique is a game changer when aiming to reset structures quickly or escape under pressure.
Plus, honing your double editing skills not only enhances your speed but also increases your building versatility. This method lets you manipulate your environment while keeping your opponent on their toes. Incorporating double edits into your arsenal can create openings for quick escapes or counterattacks, ensuring you’re always in control of the battlefield. Focus on practicing this technique to elevate your overall building game.
Advanced Building Techniques
Now, to elevate your gameplay in Fortnite, mastering advanced building techniques is key. These strategies can help you gain an upper hand against your opponents and enhance your overall building proficiency.
- 90s and Triple 90s: Gaining Height Quickly
- Turtling: Creating Instant Cover
- Ramp Rush: Aggressive Building Tactics
Technique | Description |
---|---|
90s and Triple 90s | Quickly gain height by executing upward spins. |
Turtling | Instantly create a protective barrier in combat. |
Ramp Rush | Launch an offensive with speedy ramp builds. |
90s and Triple 90s: Gaining Height Quickly
Techniques like 90s and Triple 90s allow you to build vertically and gain the high ground. This is important during firefights, as controlling height gives you a significant advantage over your opponents. By quickly alternating between walls and ramps, you can create a vertical spiral that leaves your enemies struggling to keep up.
Turtling: Creating Instant Cover
Even in intense situations, turtling is your go-to tactic to shield yourself. This method requires you to build walls around you instantly, ensuring you have a moment to heal or strategize without the threat of enemy fire. Turtling is effective for maintaining your health and putting your opponent on the defensive.
Building a turtle requires quick thinking and precision. Place a wall in front, then quickly build two additional walls on either side. You can add a ramp or floor for more protection. This not only creates a secure space but also allows you to peek out and surprise your opponents if they underestimate your defenses.
Ramp Rush: Aggressive Building Tactics
There’s no better way to put pressure on your opponents than with a ramp rush. This aggressive tactic involves placing ramps quickly to ascend toward enemies while simultaneously building protective walls. By pushing forward relentlessly, you keep your opponents off-balance and force them to react to your aggressive playstyle.
Building multiple ramps while ensuring you surround yourself with walls protects you from incoming fire. This method increases your offensive pressure, making it difficult for enemies to retaliate effectively. A well-executed ramp rush can lead to quick eliminations while showcasing your building speed and efficiency.
Combining Building with Combat
Keep in mind that effective building in Fortnite goes hand in hand with your combat strategy. Mastering the art of combining both can elevate your gameplay and give you the upper hand against your opponents.
Building While Under Fire
Clearly, building while under fire is key to your survival. When you find yourself in a shootout, quickly erect walls and ramps to shield yourself from incoming shots. This can buy you precious seconds to plan your next move or counter-attack, keeping your enemies on their toes.
Using High Ground to Outmaneuver Opponents
Even if the situation seems dire, gaining high ground can dramatically shift the tide of battle in your favor. Secure elevated positions by quickly building ramps and platforms, allowing you to shoot down on your foes while minimizing their ability to hit you.
Outmaneuvering your opponents starts with understanding the importance of high ground. This elevation gives you a clear advantage in visibility and accuracy while making it difficult for your enemies to retaliate effectively. Use this to your benefit by strategically planning your builds during engagements; aim to gain height as swiftly as possible to dominate the fight.
Building as a Distraction Technique
Any time you find yourself facing multiple enemies or when you need to regroup, using building as a distraction can be beneficial. Construct walls or ramps to divert attention or create confusion among adversaries, allowing you to make critical decisions without immediate pressure.
Building as a distraction technique entails deliberately erecting structures to mislead or baffle your foes. For instance, you can build a massive fort in one direction while sneaking away in another, giving you the chance to escape or flank them for a surprise attack. This clever tactic not just helps you manage threats but can also disrupt your opponents’ strategies, ultimately turning the combat in your favor.
Tips for Building in Different Game Modes
Unlike in single-player contexts, your building strategies must adapt based on the game mode you’re in. Each mode presents unique challenges and opportunities that require different tactics. Here are some necessary tips to elevate your building skills across game modes:
- Focus on quick edits in Solo Mode.
- Communicate effectively with your partner in Duo Mode.
- Establish roles and strategies in Squad Mode.
Thou can master the art of building by tailoring your approach to the game mode you are engaged in.
Solo Mode: Individual Building Strategies
For solo play, your building strategy should focus on speed and visibility. Prioritize creating defensive structures while maintaining awareness of your surroundings. The ability to build quickly can give you the upper hand during encounters, ensuring you’re prepared for enemy attacks from any angle.
Duo Mode: Coordinated Building with a Partner
Building with a partner requires coordination and communication. Establish roles before engaging in battles, and practice building techniques together to enhance teamwork. By synchronizing your actions, you can create powerful structures that bolster defense and set traps for opponents.
Modes like Duo Mode let you combine strengths and compensate for weaknesses. As you both build, one player can focus on offensive structures while the other secures defensive placements. This synergy increases your chances of success. Additionally, make sure to call out positions and aim for efficiency in building, so you can adapt quickly to any threats that arise.
Squad Mode: Team Building Mechanics
There’s a lot to consider when building in Squad Mode, where communication is key. Work as a unit and establish specific roles—designate who handles walls, ramps, and edits. Effective teamwork can lead to powerful defensive formations and offensive strategies to outlast opponents.
Tips for Squad Mode include practicing synchronizing your builds, so they are seamless and effective. Use voice or chat communication to ensure everyone knows their tasks during intense moments. Moreover, always be aware of each other’s locations to avoid gaps in your defenses. Collaborating will not only streamline your building efforts but also create a visually intimidating presence that may deter your enemies.
Understanding Your Opponent’s Building Patterns
After you have mastered your own building speed, the next step is to analyze your opponent’s building patterns. Every player has their unique style and habits when it comes to construction. By understanding these patterns, you can gain insights that will give you an edge in battles.
Analyzing Common Building Strategies
On the battlefield, you will often encounter a variety of building strategies, such as box fights, high ground plays, and ramp rushes. Each of these strategies serves different purposes, from defensive positioning to aggressive tactics. Observing how your opponents build can help you determine their next moves and plan your counteractions effectively.
Counteracting Opponent Builds
Opponents can be predictable, especially if you pay attention to their building tendencies. When facing a player who favors sky-high builds, for instance, targeting their structure can bring them down to your level. You can also use your mobility to circumvent their defenses, keeping them guessing while you prepare your next attack.
Strategies for countering opponent builds may involve using explosives, spraying down builds, or baiting them into revealing vulnerabilities. If you notice an opponent is covering an area with walls but has left the top unprotected, use your positioning to fire from above. Being aware of your surroundings and remaining agile will allow you to exploit any weaknesses in their structures.
Predicting Enemy Movements
Strategies to predict enemy movements require keen observation and quick thinking. If you can anticipate where your opponent is likely to go, you can position yourself advantageously to set traps or ambush them. Understanding how they build in certain situations can lead you to accurately forecast their next steps.
Plus, paying attention to sound cues like footsteps or weapon reloads will provide additional information about their intentions. By combining sound cues with your observations on their building patterns, you can make calculated moves that put you one step ahead in the game. With practice, you’ll become adept at predicting your opponents’ actions, allowing you to react swiftly and decisively.
Utilizing the Environment for Building Benefits
Despite the importance of building techniques in Fortnite, understanding your surroundings can significantly enhance your experience. To outsmart your opponents, you must learn to leverage environmental features effectively.
Recognizing Suitable Building Locations
With practice, you will develop the ability to identify optimal building spots across the map. Look for high ground or secluded areas to give yourself a strategic advantage. These locations not only offer better visibility but also provide cover from incoming fire.
Leveraging Natural Cover and Terrain
Benefits of utilizing natural cover and terrain include added protection and strategic positioning in battle. Elements such as trees, rocks, and hills can be used to shield yourself from enemy fire while you build. Use these features to conceal your actions and surprise opponents with well-timed structures.
Utilizing natural cover effectively enables you to maintain a tactical edge. By building in locations surrounded by trees or rocks, you create a barricade that hinders enemy shots. This strategy not only allows you to construct at a lower risk but also provides opportunities to attack from concealed vantage points.
Avoiding Disadvantages: Building on Vulnerable Spots
One of the best strategies is to avoid building in open areas that expose you to enemy fire. Instead, choose locations that offer a degree of safety. This will reduce the chances of being caught off guard by opponents who can easily spot your structures.
Suitable locations for building are those that encompass natural cover or elevated terrain. Avoid creating structures on flat and open ground, as this makes you susceptible to enemies looking for easy targets. By selecting safer spots, you can build more confidently and effectively execute your strategies while keeping yourself protected.
The Importance of Speed and Efficiency
Once again, in the fast-paced world of Fortnite, building speed and efficiency can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Your ability to construct structures quickly not only protects you from enemies but also allows you to gain the high ground, which is key in combat situations. By mastering quick building techniques, you’ll find yourself outsmarting opponents and gaining a significant advantage in the game.
Factors Affecting Building Speed
One of the primary factors that influence your building speed is your familiarity with the controls and your overall comfort with the game mechanics. This can include:
- Your keyboard and mouse or controller setup
- The sensitivity settings you use
- Your understanding of building materials and their strengths
- The extent of your muscle memory for placing structures quickly
Perceiving these factors can help you refine your building strategy and lead to faster reaction times in critical situations.
Practicing Building Drills
Importance lies in repeatedly practicing specific building drills that focus on your speed and fluidity. Engaging in targeted exercises will help you become more comfortable with your controls, allowing you to respond quicker when under pressure.
Drills should cover various building techniques, such as ramp rushes, box fighting, and quick edits. Establish a routine where you spend dedicated time working on each drill. This will create muscle memory, ensuring your fingers move swiftly and accurately during intense gameplay. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel, and this translates into improved performance in matches.
Maintaining Calm Under Pressure
Maintaining composure during high-stress situations is vital for building effectively. Panic can lead to mistakes, slowing down your construction and costing you valuable seconds.
Calmness can be achieved through experience and mental preparation. Focus on your breathing and visualize successful building scenarios before they happen. When you encounter an opponent, try to stay focused on your building strategy rather than succumbing to adrenaline-driven reactions. Over time, with practice and the right mindset, you’ll find yourself able to build swiftly and efficiently, even when the stakes are high.
Custom Game Modes for Building Practice
All players looking to sharpen their building skills can benefit significantly from custom game modes in Fortnite. These tailored experiences provide the ideal environment for honing your building techniques and adapting your strategies against opponents. Here are some effective ways to utilize Playground and Creative Modes, as well as engage in build battles to elevate your gameplay.
Playground Mode: Free Building Techniques
You can unleash your creativity in Playground Mode, where you have no pressure from opponents. This mode allows you to practice building techniques with infinite resources and time, enabling you to experiment with ramps, walls, and edits without fear of defeat. Feel free to try advanced strategies and improve your speed in a relaxed environment.
Creative Mode: Custom Maps for Focused Practice
Practice in Creative Mode by using custom maps specifically designed for building. These maps often feature intricate obstacles and challenges tailored to help you improve various aspects of your building skills, such as speed, efficiency, and editing techniques.
The unique aspect of Creative Mode is the ability to explore maps created by other players that focus on specific skills you want to develop. From rapid building courses to edit races and obstacle courses, you can find a range of scenarios that will push your abilities and help you identify areas for improvement. This focused practice can significantly enhance your overall gameplay and prepare you for real combat situations.
Competing in Build Battles
Building upon your skills in competitive scenarios is crucial to becoming a proficient player. Competing in build battles can provide a thrilling way to test your speed and strategy against others, helping you adapt and refine your techniques under pressure.
With build battles, you’ll face off against skilled opponents, forcing you to think quickly and respond effectively. These encounters not only enhance your building speed but also teach you how to outsmart your rivals by predicting their moves and planning your strategies. Engaging in build battles regularly will help solidify your confidence and elevate your overall gameplay, ensuring you’re ready for any challenge that comes your way.
Integrating Building with Item Knowledge
Unlike other shooters, Fortnite demands a strong synergy between your building skills and item knowledge. Understanding how to effectively integrate the two will not only give you a tactical edge but also allow you to adapt quickly in various combat situations. Mastering the different aspects of item usage in conjunction with your building techniques will elevate your gameplay and help you outsmart your opponents.
Choosing the Right Weapons for Offensive Builds
If you want to excel in offensive builds, you need to select weapons that complement your building style. Weapons like the Pump Shotgun or Tactical Shotgun are ideal for close quarters, while Sniper Rifles offer long-range capabilities. Pairing these weapons with fast building will allow you to deal damage effectively while maintaining defensive structures.
Understanding Building Materials: What to Use When
Little do many players realize that different building materials serve distinct purposes. Wood is quick to build but fragile; brick provides a decent balance between durability and speed; metal is the strongest but takes longer to construct. Knowing when to use each material can give you the upper hand in various encounters.
It’s vital to assess your surroundings and the situation at hand when choosing your building materials. For instance, if you find yourself in a fast-paced firefight, using wood for quick ramps or walls can help you gain a momentary advantage. On the other hand, if you anticipate a prolonged battle, switching to brick or metal can fortify your defenses sufficiently to withstand incoming damage.
Utilizing Utility Items to Enhance Builds
One way to elevate your building strategy is by incorporating utility items such as launch pads, traps, and shields. These items can significantly improve your offensive and defensive maneuvers when combined with effective building techniques.
Enhance your gameplay by using launch pads to quickly escape after building a defensive shelter. Positioning traps within your structures can surprise opponents while they are distracted by your builds. Similarly, using shield items can provide you with additional protection, allowing you to sustain longer in battles while actively engaging in building. Make sure to integrate these utility items to take your gameplay to the next level.
Staying Updated with Fortnite Updates
Your ability to excel in Fortnite depends on staying informed about the latest updates and changes. This knowledge can give you an edge over your opponents, particularly when it comes to building techniques and strategies in the game.
Understanding Patch Notes Related to Building
Clearly, familiarizing yourself with patch notes is imperative for keeping track of any changes that may affect your building skills. These notes outline new features, adjustments, and bug fixes, allowing you to adapt your strategies accordingly.
Adapting to Changes in Building Mechanics
To effectively adjust your gameplay, stay vigilant about how updates impact building mechanics. Epic Games often implements changes that can influence everything from building speed to resource management, making it vital for you to be flexible and ready to modify your approach.
Related to this strategy, it’s important to actively practice and experiment with new mechanics introduced in updates. Spend time in Creative mode to familiarize yourself with any tweaks made to building structures or materials. Engaging with the community can also provide insights on how to best utilize these changes in competitive scenarios.
Keeping Current with Fortnite Meta
Notes on the current Fortnite meta are imperative for refining your playstyle. Understanding which building strategies and weapon choices are popular among top players can inform your decisions and lead to improved performance in matches.
Plus, staying connected to community streams, videos, and discussions around the Fortnite meta will elevate your gameplay. By continually learning from experienced players and adapting their tactics to your style, you’ll ensure that your building skills remain sharp and competitive amid evolving gameplay trends.
Community Resources for Building Improvement
To enhance your building skills in Fortnite, tapping into community resources can be incredibly beneficial. Engaging with other players and following expert guidance will help you take your gameplay to the next level and outsmart your opponents.
Joining Competitive Building Scrims
Some of the best ways to improve your building skills are by joining competitive scrimmages, or scrims, that focus on building practice. These sessions simulate real match conditions and allow you to face off against skilled players who push you to adapt and refine your techniques.
Tutorials and Streamers: Learning from the Pros
To gain insights into advanced building techniques, follow top Fortnite players through their streams and tutorials. By analyzing their gameplay, you can grasp the strategies that professional players employ, improving your own gameplay considerably.
Resources like YouTube and Twitch are treasure troves of knowledge, where you can find detailed tutorials and live-streamed matches. Pay close attention to how these pros build, as they often share tips and tricks during their gameplay, which can help you in real-time situations. Don’t hesitate to pause and rewind their videos to catch every detail and practice what you learn.
Building Challenges and Community Events
Streamers often hold building challenges that engage the community and foster a competitive spirit. Participating in these events not only allows you to test your skills but also provides a platform to learn from others and gain constructive feedback on your performance.
Pros frequently organize these challenges to encourage players to showcase their skills in fun and competitive environments. By joining these events, you get a chance to learn directly from seasoned players, exchange tips, and grow your building abilities through practical, hands-on experience. These events can be a valuable way to connect with like-minded individuals while enhancing your gameplay.
Final Thoughts on Mastering Building in Fortnite
Not everyone is born a natural builder in Fortnite, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you can elevate your game to new heights. As you hone your building skills, you’ll find that the ability to construct effective structures quickly can significantly enhance not only your survivability but also your overall gameplay experience. The key is to incorporate the techniques discussed in this guide into your routine, ensuring that building becomes second nature.
First, focus on mastering the basics. Whether it’s ramps, walls, or floors, each structure plays a vital role in your defensive and offensive capabilities. Spend time in Creative mode practicing these builds until you can execute them without thinking. This foundational skill will serve you well in high-pressure situations where every second counts.
In addition, learn to adapt your building style based on your opponents and the environment. Every combat scenario is unique, and being able to quickly assess the best strategy will give you an advantage. Use what you’ve practiced and blend it with situational awareness to outsmart your foes; building defensively in one encounter might mean flipping to aggressive tactics in the next.
Lastly, keep your mind open to learning from others. Watch streamers and professional players to observe how they approach building under various circumstances. Pay attention to their speed, choices, and strategies. Then, incorporate those insights into your own gameplay. The Fortnite community is vast, and there’s always something new to learn.
Building is not just about speed; it’s also about creativity and adaptability. Stay patient and continuously practice to make building an effortless part of your strategy. By focusing on these aspects, you’ll develop a competitive edge that puts you ahead in every match. So gear up, get into those battles, and embrace the journey of mastering building in Fortnite.
FAQ
Q: What is the importance of building in Fortnite?
A: Building in Fortnite is vital for gaining a tactical advantage in combat. Players can create structures for cover, height, and mobility, allowing them to outmaneuver opponents and control the battlefield. Mastering building techniques can separate skilled players from beginners.
Q: How can I increase my building speed in Fortnite?
A: To build faster, practice switching between your weapon and building tools quickly. Utilize key bindings that allow for comfortable and rapid access. Additionally, practice in creative mode to develop muscle memory and experiment with different building techniques, such as 90s or ramp rushes.
Q: What are some effective building techniques to outsmart opponents?
A: Techniques like ’90s’, which involves quickly building walls and ramps in a spiral, can provide height advantages. Additionally, using ‘turtling’ techniques, where you create cover quickly when under fire, can help you regroup and effectively counter your opponents. Learning to edit your builds is also a key factor in gaining the upper hand.
Q: How do I practice building in Creative mode?
A: In Creative mode, you can access various maps designed specifically for building practice. Look for island codes that focus on building drills, or create your own space to experiment with building configurations. Start slow and gradually increase speed while focusing on correct structure placement.
Q: What key settings should I adjust to optimize my building?
A: Adjusting sensitivity and key bindings can significantly impact your building efficiency. Consider lowering your mouse sensitivity for precision and binding your build controls to keys that are easy to reach without disrupting your movement. Many players prefer using custom settings tailored to their play style.
Q: Is it beneficial to use turbo building, and how can I practice it?
A: Yes, turbo building allows players to continuously place structures without the need to constantly press the build button. To practice, hold down the build button while aiming in different directions to rapidly construct walls, ramps, or floors. This technique becomes integral in maintaining pressure during fights.
Q: How can I counter opponents’ building techniques?
A: To counter opponents’ builds, focus on the strategic use of explosives and tactical weapons, which can break down structures quickly. Also, practice editing your own builds to create windows or openings that can leak into your opponent’s defenses. Engaging with an opponent while simultaneously building and editing can create opportunities to gain an advantage.