Fortnite Skins Overview

Fortnite, the battle royale from Epic Games, has transcended the gaming world and become a global sensation the likes of which have not been seen since Minecraft. Game-related merchandise fills city streets and professional athletes are celebrating touchdowns and goals with emotes from the game. One of the key factors driving Fortnite’s ongoing success is its ability to constantly evolve, keeping players hooked with fresh updates, events, and, of course, its iconic skins. These skins allow players to express their individuality, and show off some flair on the battlefield. Whether it's a celebrity collaboration or an original design, Fortnite skins come in all shapes, sizes, and themes. With hundreds to choose from, it can be tough to figure out which ones best represent you.

To help with this, Argentics is taking a deep dive into some of the coolest and most iconic Fortnite skins that have graced the game. These skins are all memorable for unique reasons, and can drum up memories of seasons long gone, and create buzz around ongoing cultural phenomena.

Introduced in Chapter 2, Season 2, Midas is undoubtedly one of the most iconic skins in Fortnite. Based on the fabled king whose touch turned everything to gold, Midas gives off an air of mystery and elegance. His sharp suit, golden accessories, and well-groomed appearance make him a standout in any match. What makes Midas truly memorable, however, is his golden touch: when he eliminates an opponent, their weapons are turned into gold. This small but impactful detail adds an extra layer of flair to the skin and evolves every battlefield just that much more.

As part of the Battle Pass, Midas was one of the most coveted skins of all of Chapter 2, and it’s still highly regarded by players today. His regal design has cemented his place as one of the coolest Fortnite skins ever created.

Raven is another solid skin from Chapter 2, Season 6, inspired by the beloved DC Comics character, Raven is an enigmatic figure that embodies the mystical and otherworldly. Her combination of a purple hooded cloak, glowing eyes, and ethereal, ghost-like aura creates a skin that is both menacing and beautiful.

Raven is not just a cool-looking character, though, her backstory, which ties into classic DC comic lore, makes her even more intriguing. She’s a fan-favorite for players who love the idea of blending the mysterious with the powerful, and the old with the new. Whether you're poaching takedowns from the shadows or just showing off her unique look, Raven is undeniably one of Fortnite’s most standout skins.

In the ever-growing list of Fortnite collaborations, few drummed up as much hype as the arrival of The Mandalorian skin. Debuting in Chapter 2, Season 5, this skin brought the iconic bounty hunter from Star Wars into the world of Fortnite, complete with his signature armor, rifle, and jetpack. As part of the Star Wars crossover, players were treated to not just a stylish skin, but an entire set of thematic items, including a Baby Yoda back bling that quickly became a fan favorite.

What makes The Mandalorian skin so cool isn’t just the Star Wars connection—it’s the intricate details that make this skin feel authentic to the franchise. From the design of the armor to the way the character moves, everything about the Mandalorian screams high-quality craftsmanship. Plus, the skin has an in-game progression system, where players can unlock new customization options as they level up their character. Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars or simply love the design, The Mandalorian skin is a must-have.

Drift is one of Fortnite’s older skins and still remains a fan favorite. Introduced in Chapter 1, Season 5, Drift is a reminder of the game's ever-evolving theme, featuring a stylish, anime-inspired character that combines streetwear fashion with a sense of mystery. What sets Drift apart is his transformation over time: as players progress through the Battle Pass, Drift evolves from a regular traveler to a full-blown glowing, ethereal figure.

His catlike mask provokes a half-man, half-Khajiit look that will catch many eyes off guard. Coupled with the glowing, neon effect and his stylish jacket, Drift offers something visually appealing and fresh. His backstory as a nomad with the ability to manipulate rifts within the Fortnite world makes him a compelling figure as well, adding depth to his overall coolness

The Galaxy skin is one of the most jawdropping Fortnite skins ever created. Released during Chapter 1, Season 5 in partnership with Samsung, the skin features a celestial design that gives players the appearance of an astronaut made of stars and cosmic matter. The skin radiates with deep purples and blues, accented by bright shining starts, making it feel as though the player is part of a cosmic galaxy.

To obtain the Galaxy skin, players had to purchase a Samsung Galaxy device (take that, Steve Jobs), making it one of the rarest skins in Fortnite history. As a result, the skin became a symbol of exclusivity. While the skin itself is beautiful, what really sets it apart is its rarity and the aura of prestige that surrounds it. To this day, it’s one of the most coveted skins for dedicated Fortnite players.

We’ve all seen a guy striding through public in a banana costume. Some say the classic stunt is done to gain attention, while others argue it’s to put a smile on strangers’ faces. Whatever your motive, you can do this virtually in Fortnite as Peely. The banana skin first appeared in Chapter 1, Season 8, and is one of Fortnite's most whimsical and recognizable skins. With its goofy, anthropomorphic design, Peely breaks the norm by turning a simple fruit into a bloodthirsty battle royale contestant. Though it might seem like a silly choice at first glance, Peely's charm lies in its sheer absurdity.

Another huge perk of Peely lies within the game’s mechanics. Every Fortnite skin has an identical hitbox (areas of the character model that cause the player to take damage when hit), yet the models don’t always appear to fit the mold. Peely, for instance, has a head that appears larger than the actual hitbox, which could potentially confuse an enemy sniper and cause a near-miss or body shot instead.

If Pitbull is Mr. Worldwide, then the LA Flame Travis Scott is Mr. Universe. The skin is one of the most memorable and groundbreaking skins Fortnite has ever released. Introduced in Chapter 2, Season 2, the Travis Scott skin was part of a larger collaboration tied to the virtual concert event, Astronomical. The skin features the popular rapper in a futuristic, high-fashion outfit, complete with glowing effects and an overall otherworldly vibe.

What makes the Travis Scott skin historic is the cultural significance behind it. The Astronomical event was a game-changer in terms of live, interactive events within video games, proving the fusion of music and gaming could be both fun and lucrative. For fans of Scott, the skin is a must-have, and it continues to be one of the coldest, most innovative skins in Fortnite’s extensive lineup.

Fortnite's skins are one of the game's greatest strengths, allowing players to express themselves in creative ways while staying on top of the ever-changing cultural trends. It is also one of the greatest money-making schemes to come out of the previous decade. Studios across the world quickly noticed and began copying Epic’s model. The idea that a base game should be free, and studios rely solely on battlepass subscriptions and microtransactions for revenue once seemed ludicrous, but now tons of studios are mimicking this.

There is much debate over whether this new sales model is ethical, and whether it is good or bad for players. One camp argues it makes games more accessible to casual fans and those less willing or able to shell out $60 on a new release. Opponents of the model say that companies are unfairly nickel-and-diming customers to death. One thing to remember is that unlike the suite of desktop and mobile games that had done this earlier, Fortnite is not a pay-to-win game. Skins are merely cosmetic items that players can choose to splurge on if their appearance means enough to them. This approach keeps the game fun and fair for casuals and competitive players alike. A paid battlepass has crept into almost every shooter and battle royale on the market, but fortunately few of these give players actual in-game advantages.

Skins have become a cornerstone of the Fortnite experience, and other devs wanting to learn from this should consider if / how they could implement a similar system into their game. One of the best things about a battlepass system is that hype will build around your game at the start of each new season. A fresh reset, some new items, and of course new player skins always get players to come back and check out what’s new. Furthermore, it is a promise to fans that your game is a piece of living art, and that your studio is dedicated to keeping your game alive and relevant for years to come. This system makes perfect sense for multiplayer games with unique designs and robust UI. Nobody wants to make the jump to Fortnite 2, because as the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. If you believe your game can withstand the test of time, then a free battlepass allows you to give back to fans and keep them interested, and a paid battlepass allows your company to generate revenue for years to come, and lets artists and designers stay on the team indefinitely.

Battlepasses aren’t right for every game. Franchises like Call of Duty and Madden are receiving a lot of flak for their systems, the former for fleecing players an extra $10 at the start of each season, and the latter for including items that give players a competitive edge in online play. If your product is nearing completion and you’re not sure which route to take, reach out to us at Argentics and one of our industry veterans can run you through some of the finer nuances of the system and help you decide what is best for you. Furthermore, if you decide to go this route and need help dreaming up, designing, or animating skins of your own, our teams of artists and animators are always ready to help!