Where to look for dormant Tempest gateways
Dormant Tempest gateways in Lego Fortnite appear as large, inactive purple structures scattered across the map. They look like tall archways or portals with a dark purple glow, but they won't be active or moving when you find them. The easiest way to spot one is to explore the Frostlands biome, which is where most players find their first dormant gateway.
You can also find dormant Tempest gateways in the Dry Valley and the Lava Caverns, though they're less common there. The Frostlands has the highest concentration, so if you're just starting out, head north from your base toward the snowy areas. Look for the distinctive purple archway shape — it's hard to miss once you know what you're searching for.
If you're having trouble locating one, try climbing to high ground and scanning the horizon. The purple glow stands out against most terrain, and you can often spot it from a distance. Bring building materials with you so you can construct ramps or towers if you need to reach one that's on elevated terrain.
Key Takeaways
- Dormant Tempest gateways look like large purple archways and are most common in the Frostlands biome.
- You can find them by exploring north from your base or by climbing high ground to scan the landscape.
- Once you locate a dormant gateway, you'll need to interact with it to set up it and begin the Tempest encounter.
- Bring building materials and weapons when you search, because the area around gateways can be dangerous.
- Dormant gateways don't move or change, so once you find one, you can return to it whenever you're ready.
What dormant gateways look like up close
When you get close to a dormant Tempest gateway, you'll see a large purple structure with glowing runes or symbols on it. The gateway itself is stationary and won't respond to you until you interact with it. The purple color is much darker and less vibrant than an active gateway would be, which is how you know it's dormant.
The structure is tall — usually taller than your character — and has an archway or portal-like opening. Some players describe it as looking like a doorway made of purple energy. Around the base of the gateway, you might see some purple particles or mist, but nothing dramatic. The whole thing has a "waiting" feeling to it, which matches the dormant state.
How to set up a dormant gateway once you find it
To set up a dormant Tempest gateway, walk up to it and press the interact button. On most devices, this is the same button you use to open chests or talk to NPCs. Your character will place their hand on the gateway or step into it, and it will begin to glow brighter and become active.
Once activated, the gateway will start the Tempest encounter, which means waves of enemies will begin to spawn. You don't have to fight them when ready — you can step away from the gateway and prepare yourself first. But once you've activated it, the encounter is live, so make sure you have weapons, healing items, and a plan before you press that button.
If you set up a gateway and realize you're not ready, you can run away and come back later. The gateway will stay active, and you can re-engage whenever you want. There's no penalty for leaving and returning.
Preparing before you set up a gateway
Before you interact with a dormant gateway, make sure you have at least one weapon with ammunition, healing items like food or potions, and some building materials. The Tempest encounter spawns multiple enemies at once, so you'll want to be able to defend yourself or build cover quickly.
Check your inventory and drop anything you don't need to make room for loot that might drop during the fight. Bring a pickaxe or harvesting tool so you can gather resources if you need to rebuild during the encounter. If you're playing with other people, make sure everyone is nearby and ready before anyone activates the gateway.
The difficulty of the Tempest encounter scales with your gear and level, so don't feel pressured to set up a gateway if you just found one. You can mark its location, come back to your base, upgrade your weapons and armor, and return when you're stronger.
Why you might want to find dormant gateways
Dormant Tempest gateways are worth finding because activating them gives you access to rare loot and rewards. The enemies that spawn during a Tempest encounter drop better items than regular enemies, and completing the encounter gives you special rewards that you can't get anywhere else.
Some of the best weapons and armor pieces in Lego Fortnite come from Tempest encounters, so if you want to progress your character, you'll need to find and set up these gateways. They're also a good source of experience points if you're trying to level up quickly.
Common mistakes when searching for dormant gateways
The biggest mistake is not looking in the right biome. Many new players spend time searching the Grasslands or the Suburbs when they should be heading to the Frostlands. If you've been searching for a while without finding one, change direction and head toward the snowy areas instead.
Another mistake is confusing dormant gateways with other purple structures. Some buildings and terrain features have purple coloring, but they won't have the distinctive archway shape of a Tempest gateway. If you're not sure, look for the tall, open structure that looks like a doorway or portal.
Don't set up a gateway without checking your inventory first. Running into a Tempest encounter with no weapons or healing items is a quick way to lose progress. Take thirty seconds to make sure you're prepared before you interact with the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see dormant gateways on the map?
No, dormant Tempest gateways don't show up on your map. You have to explore and find them by sight. The best strategy is to head to the Frostlands and scan the landscape from high ground, looking for the purple archway shape.
What happens if I die during a Tempest encounter?
If you die, you'll respawn at your base or the last checkpoint you set. The gateway will still be active, and you can return to it to continue the fight. You won't lose the gateway or any progress toward completing the encounter.
Do dormant gateways move or disappear?
No, once you find a dormant gateway, it stays in that exact location. It won't move, despawn, or change. You can leave and come back whenever you want, and it will be there waiting for you.
How many dormant gateways are there in the game?
There are multiple dormant Tempest gateways scattered across the map, but the exact number varies depending on your world and settings. The Frostlands has the most, but you'll find them in other biomes too if you explore thoroughly.
Can I set up a gateway with other players?
Yes, if you're playing in multiplayer mode, any player can set up a gateway and start the encounter. All players in the area will be pulled into the Tempest fight, so make sure everyone is ready before someone activates it.