There are many new Epic challenges, XP Coins and other tasks to do in Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5 Week 9. This week, we’re going back in time a bit as well. There’s an Epic map challenge to find and shakedown an IO Guard. You can find them all over the map. These hostile NPCs use to be a bigger part of the game, and seeing them come back is a bit weird. Anyway, here’s where to look to find IO Guard locations in Fortnite.
You will likely have seen these annoyances before if you’ve been playing a while. The Guards prowl all over the map and shoot at anything that moves. YOu will often find them hiding out in hidden bunkers and other out-of-the-way spots. When you get close, one will pop up out of their hiding spot and try to ambush you.
These guards carry powerful long-range weapons, so come packing heat. There’s a lot of them to find, so take your time. You may not be able to get to them in time before you get taken out of a match, be patient. If you don’t get one right away, feel free to come back and try a different spot. Since there are so many players rushing to complete the map challenges, you may have to work at it a bit.
How to take them on
Many players hunt these IO Guards down to get that powerful weapon, the Rare Tactical Assault Rifle from them. When you encounter one, keep moving and firing. Use cover if you can and try to stay out of their direct line of fire. Once they drop to zero health, they will be knocked out. When this happens, any nearby Guards will run over and try to revive them. For this reason, avoid trying to take more than once at once.
If you manage to knock one out, go over and interact with it to shakedown the Guard, this will mark other spawns of the Guards visible for you. That way, you know where to tread lightly to avoid ambushes.
You get XP for downing one, as well as the bundle of Battle Pass XP for completing the challenge. You can even get some helpful healing items and Gold Bars, so get moving. Keep in mind that the spawns are randomized each match, so check as many spots as you can each round. Use the map below for all the IO Guard locations in Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5.
That’s it, that’s another Epic quest down this week. And if you’re curious about the other challenges, try finding out where to emote at stone statues for another Epic Challenge. You can find the rest of the Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5 Week 9 challenges below:
- Shakedown an IO guard (0/1) – 20,000 XP
- Find a hidden bunker (0/1) – 20,000 XP
- Find the crashed plane’s black box (0/1) – 20,000 XP
- Deal damage while in water (0/200) – 20,000 XP
- Emote at stone statues (0/1) – 20,000 XP
- Ride the Steamy Stacks (0/1) – 20,000 XP
- Deal damage to a Loot Shark (0/500) – 20,000 XP
- Legendary Quest – Shakedown opponents (5,10,15,20,25) – 55,000 XP
