Fortnite contains some of the most fun maps available on any free game. In addition to this, Fortnite holds a special place in the gaming sphere – one only really seen in RPG games – wherein the appearance of your player character lends itself to more than strategy, instead inhabiting a more personalised and fashion-focused paradigm.
We have all been in the middle of a match and spied a particularly cool-looking or interestingly-detailed skin and thought to ourselves “How do I get that?”
Now, it must be said that some of the skins can no longer be acquired as of the writing of this article, but with how popular some skins are and how much Epic Games loves money, never say never. Many would call it envy; many would be correct. I’m not here to pass judgement on your flaws and foibles, all I am here to do is to tell you what the top 20 rarest Fortnite skins are and how to get them.
20. Fourth Down NFL Skins
Unfortunately still unavailable, this skin hasn’t been seen since February 2020. This is likely due to licensing issues which we often see with sports promotions, however there has been no official decline from the NFL regarding the skins, so we may see them again one day. Perhaps they will remove a team or two if they do return.
19. Surf Strider
This Blue Wonder skin was only available through a specific promotion to those of you who used eligible Intel CPUs. Due to the nature of this promotion, it is unlikely that we will ever see this skin return, but it can often be spied out on the battlefield, in all it’s cool-blue glory.
18. Dante
Splashing Fortnite with a little ‘Day of the Dead’ flavour, is the Dante skin. Even though other holiday skins have returned periodically, we are yet to see Dante grace the item shop yet since his first introduction in 2020. Again, as with many of the skins on this list, it merely could be a choice by Epic Games, or it could be something more sinister at play. But one thing is for certain, it may be some time before we ever see this vibrant festive skin back in the store – if ever.
17. Snake Eyes
Released to coincide with the GI Joe series movie of the same name back in 2021. Snake Eyes is a faithful recreation of the onscreen design. Another unfortunate victim of licensing agreement changes, it seems increasingly unlikely that we will ever see Snake Eyes back on the item store. He can, however, be spotted sneaking his way around Battle Royale, more often than you would think. I suppose if you can’t join them, beat them?
16. Major Lazer
Certainly one of the more interesting and unique skins on this list, Major Lazer was one of the first Icon series skins released on the game. The Icon series would go on to feature Slim Shady, various designs of Billie Eilish and even Metallica legendary frontman, James Hetfield. Due to it not having been seen since June 2021, the skin is highly unlikely to make a return any time soon.
15. Sofia
The femme fatale herself from John Wick Part 3: Parabellum, is a seductively beautiful skin which was seen last in November 2021. The design features a faithful recreation of actress Halle Berry in character and – due to her absence from the item store – has even gone on to be more rare than the vengeful Baba Yaga himself.
14. Kratos
The god-killing machismo first made his appearance in Fortnite in 2021 and hasn’t been since. The skin is a beautifully presented visage of the Kratos in all his glory, and – at the time – surprised many gamers as the skin wasn’t platform-locked as you may expect. Instead, anyone who had the inclination and opportunity to do so, could get their hands on Kratos and use his skin in-game. This skin is a rare find, but can often be seen out in the Battle Royale wilds, destroying many-a-player as he has so many gods through the years.
13. Psycho Bandit
A rather unwelcome sight for any who have played Gearbox Software’s landmark series. The Psycho bandit was torn from the planet of Pandora for a Borderlands 3 promotion for anyone who purchased Borderlands 3 on the Epic store and hasn’t been since. An uneasy sight on the battlefield, the Psycho Bandit skin looks just as unhinged as his titular inspiration. Unlikely to ever return, Psycho Bandit now features on many ‘rare skins’ list the world over, and for good reason. Just look at that little nutjob in all his psychopathic glory; who wouldn’t want to don that skin?
12. Rue
This is a strange one. Rue was available through the item store, and wasn’t removed due to any licensing issues or limitation clauses as many on this list have been. Instead, Rue was removed as her attire was seen to be far too similar to German military attire, with many comparing her appearance to that of the Nazi Party. While it is most-likely an unintended reaction, Epic Games must be commended for removing the outfit in very little time, as the appearance of such a character in a young-adult’s game, was sure to have far-reaching consequences. Looking at the pictures below, you really can see that the two outfits are strikingly similar, I understand why it was removed. However, if you still own this skin, there are no consequences that have been reported for using it in-game.
11. Travis Scott
Named for, and modeled after, the iconic Texan rapping powerhouse, the Travis Scott skin features a topless Travis, complete with tattoos, wearing a cross around his neck.
This skin was released in 2020 during the Astronomical Event, wherein players could watch a virtual Travis Scott concert in-game. The in-game concerts are a welcome addition for many as either location, or funds can be restrictive for many fans. This was especially true at the time of the event due to the worldwide pandemic, forcing lockdowns in many places around the world.
At least with the virtual concert idea, players could – and can – see their favourite artists without ever leaving the comfort of their own homes. The skin hasn’t been seen since the even and will likely never return, which means that if you own the skin, your account is very valuable indeed (to the right audience at least; I’m more of a Luke Combs guy myself).
10. Shaman
Leading us into the top 10, we have the Shaman. This other-worldly skin is shrouded – aptly – in mystery and intrigue as it hasn’t been seen in over 4 years. No explanation was ever given to the removal of the skin, although many fans have speculated. It is very unlikely that we will ever see this tribal-inspired design, which means that if you spy it out in the field, the owner of the skin is a very lucky person indeed. Not to mention sought-after.
9. World Warrior
Fortnite is no stranger to sports-related skins, and this one is no different. The World Warrior is a skin inspired by the 2019 World Cup and hasn’t been since. Only available during the event weekend, it is very unlikely – due to the time-relation – that we will ever see this skin again, which of course only adds to the rarity and overall prestige when it IS seen out in the field.
8. Reflex
While not the rarest skin on this list, it is certainly the strangest. Usually a skin is officially released and available for a limited time, where it is then removed from sale due to licensing or limitation clauses, this skin however did not follow this normal trajectory. Instead, Reflex was intended to be a part of the Geforce bundle, however due to an error it was released to the wider public for the price of 1,200 V-bucks. It was promptly removed and has not been since, and will most likely never be seen again. After all, who wants a constant reminder of a mistake they made? I’m sure that Epic Games doesn’t.
7. Royale Bomber
One of the coolest skins in Fortnite history, the Royale Bomber looks ripped straight out of the Top Gun universe. With its aviators and militaristic appearance, it cuts a deadly fashionable figure as it blows and smashes its way across the game-world. Only included with specific PlayStation 4 bundles, the skin is one of the rarest around and due to the nature of the promotion, it will most likely never be seen again. But for any who already have it, every day is a good day to throw it on and parachute into the danger zone.
6. Black Knight
One of the most imposing figures in Fortnite, the legendary-tier battle-pass reward was available for all players in the second season of the first chapter of Fortnite. The outfit was rewarded for reaching level 70 and is an absolutely monstrous delight to wear as you carve your wins into Fortnite history. Unfortunately – as with most battle pass rewards – the outfit will most likely never be seen again, which makes this one of the most prestigious skins available in the game to-date, not to mention one of the coolest, especially for fans of the Monty Python skit which many have theorised the outfit’s inspiration stems from (contains strong language).
5. Galaxy
Skins attached to real-world purchases are not rare within the Fortnite skin-o-sphere, however the thing that makes the Galaxy stand out is the fact that it was tied to the purchase of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in 2018, which retailed at between $1,000 and $1,250. Due to the high-entry price for the device, this skin remains one of the rarest skins ever released in Fortnite. This is a crying shame for those of us who don’t have it as – as you can see – it is arguably one of the more visually encaptivating skins available in Fortnite. The colours used in the skin call to mind the Nebulas and Galaxy pictures often sent back to Earth by the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb telescope. Definitely a must for all the sci-fi nerds out there – me included – just a shame that it was so prohibitively priced when it was available.
4. Double Helix
Originally included in the limited-edition Nintendo Switch Fortnite bundle, this three-toned tactical look isn’t the most visually interesting skin in the game, but due to the fact that it – again – was attached to a real-world purchase, it has gone on to become one of the rarest and prestigious skins available. It will most likely never be seen again, unless you are lucky – or unlucky – enough to come across in the fog of war.
3. Honor Guard
Another skin attached to a real-world purchase, this time the Honor View 20 smartphone. The Honor Guard is one of the rarest skins in the game as it was originally attached to one of the less-popular phones available on the market. Another shame as this skin really does cut an interesting figure with its delicate use of blues and blacks to accentuate certain parts of the skin. Alas, it will never be available to buy, unless you happen to buy a person’s account who already has the skin.
2. Renegade Raider
Featuring a bandana and aviator goggles, this skin evokes early Tomb Raider vibes. Only available as a reward for reaching level 20 in season 1 part 1 of Fortnite’s battlepass, it is highly unlikely this skin will ever be unvaulted in the future. If it ever did become available as a purchase, I suspect it would sell for more than the original 1,200 V-buck price due to its prestige and limited availability.
1. Aerial Assault Trooper
The last skin on this list, is one that is often seen atop many lists of rarest/best Fortnite skins. For good reason. This iconic outfit hasn’t been available since season 1 chapter 1 of Fortnite, and due to this, is largely seen as one of the main OG skins.
This tactically-themed skin is a sight for sore eyes when spotted out on the battlefield, as you know you are most likely going up against an enemy who has been playing this game for longer than most. The skin could only be earned via the battlepass, and was offered to players for the low price of 1,200 V-bucks upon reaching level 15 of the aforementioned battlepass. This military outfit is the rarest and most sought after skin in the game, and will likely never be released for general purpose ever again.
There we have it, the top 20 rarest Fortnite skins. What do you think? Did we miss any? Did we feature any of your favourites, and which skin do you like to throw on when you’re chasing that W?
I was always rather partial to the Batman and John Wick skins myself. While not rare, they are some of the most well-presented skins in the game, at least in my humble opinion. But who cares about that, anyway?
