After seven long years of waiting, Fortnite players are rejoicing as the elusive skins Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper have returned to the game. On December 19, 2024, at 7 PM ET, Epic Games made these iconic outfits available once more, allowing fans to acquire pieces of Fortnite history.
Unlike standard purchases from the Item Shop, which allow players to buy skins freely with V-Bucks, acquiring these coveted outfits requires players to earn specific amounts of Experience Points (XP) prior to accessing the purchase option. This process, introduced to celebrate the game's 7-year anniversary, has stoked excitement and curiosity across the community.
Players wishing to obtain the Aerial Assault Trooper must first earn 1,000,000 XP, equaling about 13.5 Battle Pass levels. Players can then purchase the skin for 1,200 V-Bucks. Meanwhile, the Renegade Raider requires a steeper hurdle of 1,500,000 XP, or approximately 19 Battle Pass levels, before it can be acquired at the same cost of 1,200 V-Bucks.
The corresponding accessories, namely the Aerial Assault One Glider and Raider's Revenge Pickaxe, can also be purchased following their own XP requirements. Players can procure the glider for 500 V-Bucks after earning 500,000 XP and the pickaxe for 1,500 V-Bucks once they reach the total of 2,000,000 XP.
Adding to the urgency, all of these items will only be available until January 30, 2025. That gives players just over 41 days to complete the required XP grinding, which began tracking on December 19, 2024. With consistently engaging gameplay, including quest completions and various game modes, players can steadily accumulate the needed experience to add these highly sought-after cosmetics to their collections.
These skins make their triumphant return as part of the OG season, and the nostalgia resonates strongly with long-term players. Fortnite enthusiasts have not been shy about sharing their excitement, but this re-release hasn't come without controversy.
Many original players see the return of Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper as undermining the exclusivity of these outfits. This feeling stems from their special status as badges of honor representative of earlier seasons when only the most dedicated players could acquire them. Comments on social media reflect this sentiment, as some users express frustration at new players having access to items they believe should remain exclusive.
One user, identified as @PickensBurgh, tweeted, "I’m quitting Fortnite after this news. Goodbye"—a sentiment echoed among those who feel the uniqueness of early players is being diluted.
Conversely, many newer players enthusiastically welcome this opportunity to don one of the game's most iconic skins, which not only enhances their gameplay aesthetics but also connects them to the historical culture of Fortnite.
With this dual perspective, Epic Games continues to engage with its player base, balancing nostalgia for original fans against the desire of new users to participate in the adventure.
The anticipation surrounding this return speaks to the lasting impact of these skins within the Fortnite community. The Renegade Raider first appeared from November 8 to December 13, 2017, and both skins have since remained hidden from the general player base for over 2,500 days—a nearly inconceivable duration for gaming collectibles.
For those eager to wear the Renegade Raider or Aerial Assault Trooper skins, it will be important to track XP progress diligently through the game’s various modes. The OG Season Shop can be accessed exclusively within the game, not through the online shop, which means players should keep their attention focused on their beloved gaming screen.
The delayed gratification of finally acquiring these skins after years of absence only enhances their value. Epic Games has reportedly introduced unique styles for both skins, including exclusive designs for those who owned them previously. These variants will be available for players spring of 2025, adding another layer to the significance of owning such rare items.
With excitement, nostalgia, and controversy swirling together, the return of the Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper skins marks a significant moment for Fortnite players old and new. Whether they are obtaining these skins for the thrill of nostalgia or as the latest fashions of the game, they signal the enduring legacy of Fortnite culture and the passionate community surrounding it.