The title now has a collection of cosmetics that might be the biggest in gaming, but what was the first skin in Fortnite Season 1?
Fortnite has come a long way since it was first released in 2017. Chapter 1’s early days feel like a very long time ago, especially where skins are concerned. Back when it first launched, the first Fortnite skins were mainly military characters, pretty close to our default skins.
Now, Fortnite skins get pretty weird. There are tons of crossovers, with Epic incorporating just about everything in popular culture that will let them. From Gaming icons to sporting heroes. However, at one point, Fortnite’s skins were pretty small.
If you’re a more recent convert to the world of Battle Royale you might be curious where it began. What was the first skin in Fortnite Season 1?
Those very first skins have gone on to be some of the rarest skins in the seasons since release. However, there could be something special about being the first Fortnite skin. It’s also one of those questions that could have more than one answer. What’s the first skin in Fortnite?
The First Fortnite Skin
If you’re looking for the first Fortnite skin in Battle Royale, we have to look all the way back to the launch of the game. Back at the beginning of Fortnite’s history, in Chapter 1 Season 1.
Or as it was known then, Battle Royale. Fortnite didn’t have seasonal designations at first, let alone Chapters. The first Fortnite skin was the default.
The character everyone plays as since they don’t own a skin, is the very first skin added to the game. Although, the default comes in a few rarities. They’ve been updated from time to time.
The first Fortnite skins and defaults were removed from the game’s free skin slot at the end of Chapter 1. Since then, they’ve come back as Item Store skins. The different variations of the original Fortnite default were known as now they’re in the store:
- Ramirez
- Banshee
- Headhunter
- Wildcat
- Jonesy
- Spitfire
- Hawk
- Renegade
Most don’t think of the default as the answer to what was the first skin in Fortnite though. It’s more the absence of a skin than an actual skin. After all, it was made a selectable style properly until it was released in the Item Shop a long time alter.
Of course, that isn’t the first skin added in Fortnite Season 1. Since the default is just the standard, the answer to the first Fortnite skin to what is the first skin made available outside of the default.
What Was the First Skin in Fortnite Season 1?
The first real Fortnite skin in the Item Shop was Ghoul Trooper! This is one of the most iconic Fortnitemares skins, originating in the first Halloween event.
Ghoul Trooper was our very first Fortnite skin for the store. The skin did start coming back quite regularly after its initial release. Which lead to Epic introducing an unbuyable variant for those OG owners of the skin.
The first version of Ghoul Trooper is our best answer to what was the first skin in Fortnite. Although, since it’s come back quite a bit it’s not what people tend to think of. Even the later added style isn’t as old as some other skins.
Around the time Ghoul Trooper was added, we got our first version of what would become the Battle Pass. Tied to progress through Season 1.
What’s the First Battle Pass Skin in Fortnite?
The default is the first skin overall, but not in the sense of a selectable skin. When you talk about Fortnite outfits, it’s usually the extra cosmetics that you think of. What’s the first skin in Fortnite that was added this way?
The initial period of Fortnite, kind of known as Season 0, didn’t have the same kind of item shop. Or Battle Pass. It quickly moved into season 1 though, which had a kind of pass-store hybrid.
The very first one added was Aerial Assault Trooper, added in the same Season as Renegade Raider. However, the two were added together and they’re both known as the rarest Fortnite skins now.
We’re technically putting Renegade Raider as the second since it became purchasable at a higher level. You had to get further through the pass to unlock it, so most people would have gotten Aerial Assault Trooper first.
You’ll likely recognize this if you’re interested in the harder-to-find Fortnite skins, as it’s become pretty iconic.
After that initial season, Fortnite switched over to something closer to our current set-up for the Item Shop and Battle Pass. We had a standalone store where items cost V-Bucks, and a battle pass to earn rewards. This means the season’s first Fortnite skins are a bit different and kind of unique.
In Season 1 players had to reach a certain level then they had the option to purchase a skin. It didn’t work like our current Battle Pass, which makes it much easier to collect them. You had to actively buy them still, so the first skin in Fortnite might have been missed by some players at the time.
It’s strange to see these early skins with their quite simple designs when the current Fortnite lobbies look so wacky.
Why are the First Fortnite Skins So Popular?
Most of the early Fortnite skins are held up as iconic outfits for players. Because of their age, they’re kind of a status symbol in-game. Owning the first Fortnite skin definitely gives you bragging rights.
The game got popular quickly but not everyone knew they would spend years playing Fortnite. It might not have seemed worthwhile to buy skins in the early days, especially since many looked quite similar to default characters in the game.
Over time, as the skins got more interesting, more people started buying them. Now we take it for granted that we’ll get use out of Fortnite skins, but many accounts didn’t know it would have longevity in its first release.
On top of that, as more early accounts get lost or their owners stop playing, these skins are lost forever.
Having some of the first Fortnite skins is a great way to show off just how long you’ve been playing the game.