How to Unlock Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine in Fortnite: A Complete Guide
Fortnite, the ever-evolving battle royale phenomenon, has a knack for surprising players with exciting collaborations. One of the most thrilling crossovers was the introduction of iconic characters from the Resident Evil franchise: Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. These legendary heroes from Raccoon City brought their signature styles and gear to the Fortnite island, offering players a chance to embody these survival horror icons.
However, unlocking these characters isn’t as simple as just finding them in the Item Shop. There are specific bundles and challenges to navigate. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to unlock Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine in Fortnite, including details on their bundles, associated cosmetics, potential return appearances in the Item Shop, and tips for maximizing your V-Bucks.
## The S.T.A.R.S. Team Comes to Fortnite
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine made their debut in Fortnite during Chapter 2 Season 8, a season aptly themed around cubes, parallel realities, and… well, survival. Their arrival was highly anticipated, fueled by leaks and rumors that had the Fortnite and Resident Evil communities buzzing with excitement. The collaboration perfectly blended Fortnite’s vibrant and chaotic gameplay with the dark and suspenseful atmosphere of Resident Evil. This wasn’t just about adding character skins; it was about bringing the essence of these iconic heroes to the game.
## Unlocking the Resident Evil Bundles: What You Need to Know
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine were released as part of two separate bundles, available for purchase in the Fortnite Item Shop. These bundles contained not only the character skins themselves but also a variety of themed cosmetics, including back blings, pickaxes, and loading screens. Here’s a breakdown of each bundle:
### The Chris Redfield Bundle
* **Chris Redfield Outfit:** The primary draw, featuring Chris in his classic Resident Evil 5 BSAA outfit.
* **Hound Wolf Squad Back Bling:** A tactical backpack adorned with the Hound Wolf Squad emblem, a nod to Chris’s elite unit.
* **Hot Dogger Pickaxe:** A unique and humorous melee weapon shaped like… well, a hot dog. It’s a surprisingly effective tool for harvesting materials.
### The Jill Valentine Bundle
* **Jill Valentine Outfit:** Jill in her iconic Resident Evil 3: Nemesis attire.
* **S.T.A.R.S. Badge Back Bling:** A symbol of Jill’s membership in the Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) team.
* **Stun Rod Pickaxe:** A weapon that utilizes electric shock to incapacitate enemies, the Stun Rod Pickaxe is perfect for dispatching zombies…or breaking rocks.
**Important Note:** These bundles were available in the Item Shop for a limited time. This is a crucial point because the Item Shop rotates its offerings regularly. Skins and bundles that appear one week might not be available again for several months, or even years. This exclusivity adds to the desirability of these items and makes it essential to act fast when they are available.
## Detailed Steps to Acquire the Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine Skins
If the Resident Evil bundles are currently available in the Item Shop, here’s how to acquire them:
1. **Launch Fortnite:** Start your Fortnite game on your preferred platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile).
2. **Navigate to the Item Shop:** From the main lobby, go to the “Item Shop” tab. It’s usually located on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. **Search for the Bundles:** Use the search bar within the Item Shop and type “Chris Redfield” or “Jill Valentine.” Alternatively, browse the featured items, as special collaborations are often prominently displayed.
4. **Select the Desired Bundle:** Once you find the bundle you want (either the Chris Redfield Bundle or the Jill Valentine Bundle), select it to view its contents and price.
5. **Purchase with V-Bucks:** The bundles are purchased using V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency. Ensure you have enough V-Bucks in your account to cover the cost. If not, you’ll need to purchase more V-Bucks. Click the “Purchase” button to complete the transaction.
6. **Equip Your New Skins:** After purchasing the bundle, the Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine skin (and the associated cosmetics) will be added to your locker. To equip them, go to the “Locker” tab from the main lobby.
7. **Customize Your Loadout:** In the Locker, you can find the Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine outfit, back bling, and pickaxe. Select them to equip them for your next match. You can also customize your character further by adding different emotes, wraps, and gliders.
## Obtaining V-Bucks: Your Key to Unlocking Content
V-Bucks are the lifeblood of the Fortnite Item Shop. Without them, you can’t acquire skins, bundles, emotes, or other cosmetic items. Here are the primary ways to obtain V-Bucks:
* **Purchasing V-Bucks Directly:** The most straightforward method is to purchase V-Bucks directly from the Fortnite in-game store or through your platform’s online store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, etc.). V-Bucks are available in various denominations, typically ranging from 1,000 to 13,500 V-Bucks.
* **The Fortnite Battle Pass:** The Battle Pass is a seasonal reward system that offers a range of cosmetic items and V-Bucks as you progress through the tiers. By completing daily and weekly challenges, you earn XP, which levels up your Battle Pass and unlocks new rewards. The Battle Pass usually contains enough V-Bucks to purchase the next season’s Battle Pass, effectively creating a self-sustaining cycle.
* **Fortnite Crew Subscription:** Fortnite Crew is a monthly subscription service that provides several benefits, including a monthly V-Bucks allowance (usually 1,000 V-Bucks), access to the current season’s Battle Pass, and an exclusive skin pack each month.
* **Save the World Mode:** Fortnite: Save the World is a cooperative tower defense shooter mode that predates Battle Royale. While it’s a separate purchase, it offers opportunities to earn V-Bucks by completing daily quests, challenges, and storm shield defenses. However, the amount of V-Bucks earned from Save the World has been reduced over time.
## Tips for Maximizing Your V-Bucks
* **Plan Your Purchases:** Before spending your V-Bucks, consider what you really want. Do you have your eye on a specific skin, or are you just tempted by the latest flashy item? Waiting for a skin you truly love will make your V-Bucks go further.
* **Prioritize the Battle Pass:** If you play Fortnite regularly, the Battle Pass is an excellent investment. It offers a large amount of cosmetic items and enough V-Bucks to purchase the next season’s Battle Pass, essentially paying for itself.
* **Consider Fortnite Crew:** If you’re a dedicated Fortnite player and want a consistent supply of V-Bucks, exclusive skins, and access to the Battle Pass, Fortnite Crew is worth considering.
* **Be Patient:** The Item Shop rotates regularly, so if a skin you want isn’t currently available, don’t despair. It will likely return eventually. Saving your V-Bucks and waiting for the right opportunity can prevent impulse purchases you might regret later.
## Will Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine Return to the Item Shop?
This is the million-dollar question for many Fortnite players who missed the initial release of the Resident Evil bundles. While Epic Games hasn’t made any official announcements about the return of these specific skins, history suggests that they are likely to reappear in the Item Shop at some point in the future. Here’s why:
* **Popularity and Demand:** Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are incredibly popular characters with a large fan base. Epic Games is well aware of the demand for these skins, and bringing them back to the Item Shop would likely generate significant revenue.
* **Anniversary Events:** Major collaborations often return to the Item Shop to coincide with anniversary events, such as the anniversary of the Resident Evil franchise or the anniversary of the initial Fortnite collaboration. Keep an eye out for these dates.
* **Resident Evil Game Releases:** The release of new Resident Evil games or remakes could also trigger a return of the Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine skins to promote the franchise.
* **General Item Shop Rotation:** While there’s no set schedule, Epic Games often brings back older skins and bundles to the Item Shop as part of their regular rotation. The element of surprise is part of the appeal.
**How to Stay Informed:** The best way to stay informed about potential Item Shop updates and the return of specific skins is to follow reliable Fortnite leakers and news sources on social media (Twitter, YouTube, etc.). These sources often have inside information about upcoming Item Shop rotations.
## Alternative Ways to Express Your Resident Evil Fandom in Fortnite
Even if the Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine skins aren’t currently available, there are other ways to express your Resident Evil fandom in Fortnite:
* **Emotes:** Use emotes that evoke the spirit of Resident Evil, such as the Zombie Walk emote or other horror-themed emotes.
* **Wraps:** Equip weapon and vehicle wraps that have a dark, gritty, or survival horror aesthetic.
* **Loading Screens:** Use loading screens that feature characters or imagery from other horror franchises.
* **Creative Mode:** Explore or create Resident Evil-themed maps in Fortnite’s Creative Mode.
## Other Notable Fortnite Collaborations
The Resident Evil collaboration is just one example of Fortnite’s impressive history of crossovers. Here are some other notable collaborations that have brought iconic characters and elements from other franchises into the game:
* **Marvel:** Numerous Marvel superheroes and villains have appeared in Fortnite, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Wolverine, and Thanos.
* **DC Comics:** Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and other DC characters have also joined the Fortnite roster.
* **Star Wars:** Star Wars characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Rey, and Kylo Ren have made appearances, along with lightsabers and other Star Wars-themed items.
* **Gaming Icons:** Master Chief (Halo), Kratos (God of War), and Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn) are just a few of the gaming icons who have crossed over into Fortnite.
* **Music Artists:** Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, Marshmello, and other music artists have held virtual concerts and have their own skins and emotes in the game.
These collaborations demonstrate Epic Games’ commitment to keeping Fortnite fresh and exciting by introducing new content and experiences that appeal to a wide range of players.
## Conclusion: Embrace the Raccoon City Spirit in Fortnite
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are two of the most beloved characters in the Resident Evil franchise, and their inclusion in Fortnite was a dream come true for many fans. While unlocking these skins requires patience and a bit of luck (waiting for them to reappear in the Item Shop), the opportunity to embody these survival horror icons in the world of Fortnite is well worth the effort. By following the steps outlined in this guide, staying informed about Item Shop updates, and maximizing your V-Bucks, you’ll be well-prepared to add Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine to your Fortnite locker when they return. In the meantime, explore other ways to express your Resident Evil fandom in the game and enjoy the ever-evolving world of Fortnite collaborations.
So, gear up, practice your aiming, and prepare to face the horrors that await you on the Fortnite island – whether they come in the form of rival players or hordes of imaginary zombies. Good luck, and may the S.T.A.R.S. be with you!