How Do You Get Old Skins in Fortnite? The Elusive Hunt for OG Cosmetics
As a Fortnite cosmetic historian and devoted collector with over 800 skins acquired since Chapter 1 Season 1, I get this question constantly from players who joined after the early days:
"How can I get my hands on those super rare OG skins like Skull Trooper, Renegade Raider, and Black Knight?"
The hard truth is that the vast majority of legacy Battle Pass skins from previous Fortnite seasons remain completely unobtainable. I‘ll explain Epic‘s ironclad exclusivity policy and why most OG skins are likely gone forever.
The Evolution of Fortnite‘s Battle Pass and Skin Rarity
Flash back to 2017 when Fortnite first launched in Early Access. The Item Shop was the only way to obtain new skins, with no Battle Pass system yet. Prices were high for the few rare skins like Renegade Raider ($20) and Aerial Assault Trooper ($1200!), making them trophy pieces for early supporters.
Epic introduced the Season Shop in Season 1, letting players unlock skins by leveling up. But after Season 2 launched Fortnite‘s first Battle Pass in December 2017, the Season Shop was retired.
Over time, the Battle Pass eclipsed the Item Shop as the primary source of new skins and cosmetics. With each season lasting just 2-3 months, Battle Pass skins took on an air of exclusivity and prestige tied to that season‘s legacy.
The Hard Truth About Battle Pass Exclusivity
Epic quickly laid down the law: Once a season ends, every Battle Pass skin from that season goes into the vault forever.
No exceptions, no second chances, no admitting latecomers into the OG club. Renegade Raider will never appear in your daily shop for 1200 V-Bucks.
Why is Epic so draconian about keeping past Battle Pass skins exclusive? Two key reasons:
1. Retaining Value for Existing Players
Those who put in the tremendous grind to hit Tier 100 back in Season 2 for Black Knight feel betrayed if that skin is later resold in the Item Shop for new players. Their effort is devalued.
2. Driving Battle Pass Engagement
Fomo fuels Battle Pass purchases – miss out on these skins now and you‘ll never have a chance again! This skyrockets participation and revenue.
Player outrage against any breach of exclusivity backs up Epic‘s stance. When Skull Trooper briefly returned for all players in 2018, OG owners revolted until they were granted the exclusive Purple Skull Trooper style.
The Faint Possibility of Item Shop Returns
Battle Pass skins are forever gone, but most Item Shop skins can rotate back in after their initial release. Rarity still plays a role here; popular skins like Star-Spangled Ranger only return once a year or less for a limited window.
So new players have a shot at beloved skins like Skull Trooper (the OG purple style remains exclusive to early buyers). But Item Shop skins will never be as prestigious as retired Battle Pass skins reserved for dedicated early grinders.
Loopholes: Promotional Skins and Account Selling
A few very narrow loopholes exist for getting deprecated Battle Pass skins, but both come with major caveats:
Promotional Events
Epic occasionally resurrects discontinued skins like Double Helix or Royale Bomber via console bundles or tournaments. But supply is extremely limited.
Account Selling
High-level accounts rich in old skins are bought and sold among players. This violates Epic‘s Terms of Service and risks bans. And you‘re paying crazy premiums for used digital goods.
Will Coveted Skin Return in Future?
Epic never reveals their plans, but rumors continue to swirl about potential re-releases or variations on rare OG skins. However, I expect them to uphold Battle Pass exclusivity in nearly all cases.
The Black Knight and Renegade Raider hold such mythical status partially because they remain forever out of reach. Like it or not, most OG Fortnite skins will not be making a comeback.
The Psychology and Economics of Exclusive Skins
Why this obsession with old pixels? As a player and industry analyst, I see both psychological and economic forces driving the mania over exclusive skins:
- Social status and nostalgia for the early days
- Satisfaction from owning something others cannot obtain
- Perception of skill from sporting rare skins
- lucrative aftermarket for unused accounts with rare skins
Love them or hate them, OG skins will continue commanding legend-like reverence in Fortnite lore for the foreseeable future. They represent a digital symbol of veteran status that new players crave but likely will never acquire.
FAQ on Obtaining Old Skins
Q: Can I buy skins from previous Battle Passes?
A: No, Battle Pass skins can only be unlocked during that season then go away forever.
Q: What about super rare/popular ones like Skull Trooper?
A: There are zero exceptions – no way to buy or unlock discontinued Battle Pass skins.
Q: Could Epic bring back a skin for a limited time?
A: Highly unlikely, but they have re-released Item Shop skins rarely despite backlash.
Q: Can I get someone‘s account with rare skins?
A: Account selling violates Epic‘s ToS, risky. And you‘ll pay insane markups.
The Thrill of the Hunt
While no perfect methods exist, don‘t give up hope! Joining custom skin lobbies and pursuing rumors keeps the thrill of the hunt alive. But temper expectations, as most OG skins remain locked away beyond our grasp.
For now, we collectors will continue admiring them from afar and chasing the next elusive skin release. The journey of curating a catalog of rare digital art across Fortnite history continues to be deeply rewarding.
