Fortnite: Battle Royale is no longer just a game, it's a cultural phenomenon.
And like most free-to-play games, how your character looks in-game is an integral part of that culture. Thanks to the fantastic setting of the game, skins can be as weird and wonderful as Epic Games can imagine. And so far they've been pretty funny. From Olympic skiers to superheroes, to terrifying gingerbread people, Fortnite skins are a colorful and eye-catching range of crackpot ideas.
Skins are only available as Battle Pass rewards or through V-Bucks, which unless you're playing FortnitePvE Save the World are only available when purchased with real money.
Skins aren't always available either. The shop changes every day, some event skins permanently disappear after a certain period. So act fast if you want to get something that catches your eye.
If you can't figure out which skins are right for you, here are some of our favorites that have been released so far.
British bomber
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Brite Bomber isn't too crazy, it's just a cool outfit. From the pink hair to the unicorn graphic, it's a strong look to wear on the battlefield, but not one that's going to get a ton of attention. Still, there are only 1200 V-Bucks on the Item Shop, and Brite Bomber pops up for sale regularly, making it a solid choice.
Rex
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Is this a year-round Halloween costume? Some sort of dino furry subculture that exists in Fortnite? We are not sure. But Rex, or "Reptar" as fans call him, is one of many highly detailed Legendary skins that periodically rotate through the Item Shop. Rex's Dinosaur Backpack "Scaly" is also a fun Back Bling to add to other skins.
Sparkle Specialist
Sparkle Specialist is an excellent skin of choice. Again, the detail is great. The tattoos on the arms, the makeup, the gloves – it's a look. Of course, if you haven't received Sparkle Specialist yet, you probably won't be able to: She was a Tier 56 reward as part of the Season 2 Battle Pass.
Tomatohead
Tomatohead is probably the most buff delivery guy you've ever seen. Not only does he have muscles to show, but he also wears sturdy boots and shin guards – so anyone who tries to take him for his advice is surprised. The Special Delivery Back Bling is also one of the best – you can turn any skin you like into a delivery boy.
Catalyst
Introduced in the Season 10 Battle Pass, Catalyst is a fantastic cyberpunk-like skin. The clothes have excellent detail, and it's a nice reward for just buying the pass, as it was unlocked at level 1. This skin alone may have encouraged many battle pass purchases, and it's still viral in chapter 2.
Astra
One of the most recent additions to the store, the Astra anime skin was introduced at the very end of 2019 as part of the Shooting Stars bundle. A galactic feel from this as the skin shows stars and constellations changing as you play, meaning you're always looking at something new. It is not fair. It's out of this world!
Cuddle team leader
Cuddle Team Leader strikes an impressive balance. He manages to be both cute and pretty creepy at the same time, depending on how you look at him. Give it a mad back of Weapons or Explosives Bling, and that verbless face starts to look like the features of a mad person.
Gumshoe
Gumshoe was added to Fortnite in early July 2018, and as far as themed skins go, she's got a pretty awesome look to call her own. For one thing, she's got the whole "private detective" look locked down, almost like she's walked off the set of a film noir. Not to mention, Fortnite's female characters haven't yet had a stylish look to call their own until Gumshoe hit the scene. This skin fills the gap, making it a necessary choice for any gamer.
Qualification
Nitelite may be a rare skin, but don't judge it by its rarity. Along with its Liteshow counterpart, both skins are easily the coolest outfits ever released. Unlike the Save the World and military theme seen with most Uncommons, Nitelite is a striking figure on the battlefield, especially when using a dance emote at night.
Peele
Peely is a simple idea, well executed. Banana costumes are a fancy dress party staple, so why not include it in one of the biggest games in the world? It also has a practical application, as the top of the banana peel makes it harder for enemies to determine where your head is, even with their eyes. It is undoubtedly attractive. It was available during the Season 8 Battle Pass, but it may see a return in the future.
Crow
How can we forget Raven? Loved by new players and veterans alike, Raven is a skin to fear. This outfit is a personal favorite for many in part because of Raven's menacing gaze and all-black outfit. Be warned, it's hard to pick it up on the Item Shop, it's only made five appearances in the store since its introduction. But when it comes to legendary skins, Raven is a must.
John Wick
Previously there was The Reaper, a suave Keanu Reeves lookalike in his black John Wick suit. It was awesome, and the best imitation skin of a famous movie character (and probably the only one) the game has. Except in May 2018, Epic added the real deal to promote John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum. So now you must accept no imitations. Although this was a promotional skin, it still appears on the store at regular intervals.
The visitor
Objectively speaking, The Visitor is cool. It's just a fact. Available to players who have completed the Season 4 Blockbuster Challenges, The Visitor features sci-fi armor and even has a customizable mask. This means players can shoot a reticle at their face, turn their head into a viewer, or just walk around with a goofy smile while shooting from afar. The choice is yours, which makes The Visitor a great choice.
Zoey
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There's something about Zoey that's so cool. Maybe it's her hair color, or her outfit, or her name, or all of those things together. But either way, Zoey is goofy, which makes her one of the best skins in Fortnite, especially when it comes to female characters in the game. If you earned her a Battle Pass reward, be proud to wear her everywhere, even if it is relatively common on the battlefield.
Ana Valens contributed to this article.
