Epic Games just dropped the announcement players have been waiting for since leaks surfaced earlier this year—Fortnite Sidekicks are officially launching. These adorable companions will follow you across the island, react to your gameplay, and add personality to your victories without giving you any competitive edge.
Table of Contents
Fortnite Sidekicks Launch Timeline
| Date | Sidekick | How to Obtain | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2025 | Peels | Battle Pass | First sidekick available |
| November 7, 2025 | Bonesy | Free for Back Bling owners | Automatic grant to existing owners |
| November 7, 2025 | Spike | TBA | Launch day release |
| November 7, 2025 | Lil’ Raptor | TBA | Launch day release |
| Coming Soon | Cat Sidekicks | TBA | Confirmed by Epic Games |
What Exactly Are Sidekicks?
Think of Sidekicks as living cosmetic items that accompany you throughout Fortnite’s various game modes. They’re companions that follow you around in Battle Royale, LEGO Fortnite, and other developer-created experiences, reacting dynamically to the world around them.
Critical Clarification: Sidekicks provide zero competitive advantage. They don’t take damage, can’t assist in combat, and won’t give you tactical benefits. Epic designed them purely for companionship and cosmetic appeal—think Pets 2.0 with more personality and interactivity.
The Customization System Explained
Here’s where things get interesting—and permanent. Fortnite Sidekicks offer appearance customization through your locker, but with a significant catch: once you lock in your choices, they’re permanent.
Customization Process:
- Navigate to your locker
- Select the Sidekick you want to customize
- Choose your preferred appearance options
- Review changes carefully
- Hold the confirm button to lock in (no turning back!)
The Permanence Factor: If you want a different look later, you’ll need to purchase that Sidekick again. This allows collectors to own multiple versions of the same companion with different appearances—similar to how players own multiple skins of favorite characters.
For more Fortnite cosmetic guides and customization tips, check our battle royale section.
Sidekick Points: The Progression System
Most Sidekicks can earn Sidekick Points (SP) simply by accompanying you during matches. These points unlock cosmetics specifically for your companions, creating a progression system that rewards consistent use.
This mechanic encourages player attachment to their chosen Sidekick while providing long-term goals beyond initial acquisition. It’s Epic’s way of adding depth to what could otherwise be simple cosmetic additions.
Meet the Launch Roster
Peels leads the charge as the inaugural Sidekick, available immediately in the November 1st Battle Pass. This banana-themed companion perfectly matches Fortnite’s quirky aesthetic.
Bonesy holds special significance—players who already own the Bonesy Back Bling automatically receive this Sidekick on November 7th. This rewards long-time players who’ve supported the game, turning a classic cosmetic into an interactive companion.
Spike and Lil’ Raptor round out the initial launch wave on November 7th, though Epic hasn’t detailed their acquisition methods yet.
Exclusive Sidekick Emotes
Standard emotes won’t cut it for companion interaction. Epic created exclusive Sidekick Emotes that allow you to engage directly with your companions. These specialized animations showcase the bond between player and Sidekick, adding narrative flavor to your gameplay sessions.
Expect these emotes to become collectible items that serious Sidekick enthusiasts chase alongside the companions themselves.
Game Mode Compatibility
Sidekicks work across multiple Fortnite experiences:
- Battle Royale: Your companion follows you through matches
- LEGO Fortnite: Companions appear in brick-built adventures
- Creative/UEFN Maps: Developer-created experiences support Sidekicks
This cross-mode compatibility ensures your investment in Sidekicks pays off regardless of your preferred Fortnite flavor. For creative mode guides and custom game recommendations, visit our Fortnite creative hub.
Why Sidekicks Matter
Beyond cosmetic appeal, Sidekicks represent Epic’s continued innovation in player expression. They’re live entities that react to gameplay moments—celebrating victories, reacting to danger, and adding personality to otherwise solitary experiences.
For solo players especially, Sidekicks provide companionship that skins alone cannot. They transform the feeling of dropping onto the island, making even quiet farming moments more engaging.
The Cat Sidekick Tease
Epic confirmed cat Sidekicks are coming “in the near future,” likely responding to community requests. Given Fortnite’s massive player base, expect these feline companions to become some of the most popular Sidekicks available.
FAQs
Q: Can Fortnite Sidekicks be attacked or eliminated by other players?
A: No, Sidekicks are completely invulnerable. They cannot take damage from any source, whether environmental hazards or enemy fire. Epic Games designed them as purely cosmetic companions that won’t impact gameplay balance or create distractions during combat. Your Sidekick will remain by your side throughout the entire match regardless of what happens around you.
Q: If I customize my Sidekick and don’t like the results, can I reset it?
A: Unfortunately, no. Once you confirm appearance changes to a Sidekick, those choices become permanent for that specific instance. However, you can purchase the same Sidekick multiple times and give each copy a different appearance. This system allows collectors to own various versions of their favorite companions, though it requires additional purchases. Always carefully review your customization choices before confirming, as there’s no undo button.
