Why is Black Knight so rare?
The Black Knight skin has become something of a holy grail within the Fortnite community. It‘s prestigious, iconic, and incredibly hard to come by. But why exactly is this OG Chapter 1 skin so much rarer than the average cosmetic? Grab your best pickaxes – we‘re going for a deep dive on the history and prestige of Fortnite‘s rarest skin.
The Black Knight‘s Origin Story
Season 2 of Fortnite Chapter 1 marked the very first incarnation of the Battle Pass system. And nestled 65 tiers deep into that inaugural pass was a badass black-armored medieval skin simply named Black Knight.
Unlocking it was no small feat though. Players had to reach level 70 in order to obtain the Black Knight, which was a massive grind in early Fortnite. There were no weekly challenges giving big XP payouts or ways to strategize your progression path. You simply had to play…a lot.
As a result, barely anyone in the early playerbase reached level 70 during Season 2. And those rare few who endured the endless XP grind were rewarded with an instantly iconic and prestigious OG skin.
Just How Rare Is Black Knight Now?
Over the years, Fortnite‘s population has grown exponentially into the hundreds of millions of players. Yet that number of Black Knight owners has remained largely static after its initial release years ago.
Current estimates suggest that less than 5% of all Fortnite accounts possess the Black Knight skin. Compare that to skins in the item shop which often sell in the millions over time.
To give an idea of scale – there are about 350 million Fortnite accounts in total. So there‘s likely only around 17.5 million Black Knights in existence among that massive overall population.
Streamers still go wild the moment they spot a Black Knight in one of their matches, often awestruck that they managed to catch this ultra-rare OG skin in the wild.
And the Black Knight has consistently resonated as an iconic and coveted skin over the years. According to GamerJournalist.com, it often sells for $500 to $1000 among skin collectors and services. So yes, it still firmly retains its GOAT status.
What Sets It Apart From Other Rare Skins?
Several other OG skins like Skull Trooper or Renegade Raider are also quite rare. So what gives Black Knight such an unmatched prestige?
Firstly, it has never returned to the item shop. Epic has remained resolute about keeping it an exclusive early adopter skin. So new players don‘t ever get opportunities to add it to their collections.
And many OG owners of rare skins like Skull Trooper have long since quit playing Fortnite altogether. Often taking those skins out of public circulation entirely. Yet the Black Knight remains an enduring symbol of veteran status for those still actively sporting it.
Lastly, its badass aesthetic just perfectly encapsulates OG Fortnite. The Black Knight skin exudes a coolness and iconic design rivaled by few skins today. It was the forebearer to the now obligatory Tier 100 end-of-pass showstopper skins.
How Does It Compare to Other OG Rares?
To fully appreciate the Black Knight, let‘s compare it alongside some fellow ancient skins.
Skull Trooper – This Halloween ghoul skin was the first ever added to Fortnite in Season 1. It reemerged from the crypt for a rerelease in 2018 though, greatly diminishing its exclusivity.
Renegade Raider – Another Season 1 OG requiring level 20 in the early progression path. Renegade Raider actually bests Black Knight in total account ownership with an estimated 7 million skins. Though many owners are likely inactive now.
Aerial Assault Trooper – This was awarded to early Battle Pass purchasers in Season 1. Some estimates peg its rarity near Black Knight levels.
Purple Skull Trooper – When Skull Trooper returned in 2018, Epic granted this exclusive variant style to OG owners. It therefore has prestige, but nowhere close to Black Knight numbers.
So you can see why the Black Knight stands so peerlessly rare amidst even other elusive skins. It set the mold that all other slurp-worthy Fortnite skins have since emulated.
The Verdict on Fortnite Royalty
Very few skins exemplify OG Fortnite credibility like donning the Black Knight does. Between rock-bottom ownership numbers and its iconic early adoption status, it‘s truly the rarest of them all.
Anyone still sporting this bad boy battle-hardened veteran skin commands respect. The Black Knight will likely persist as the pinnacle Fortnite flex for years further still.
But what do you think of this enigmatic icon of Fortnite lore? Let us know if you‘re among the few to have claimed this crown jewel!
