How to Emote in Fortnite: A Comprehensive Guide
Fortnite, the massively popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, offers players a diverse range of ways to express themselves beyond simply shooting and building. Emotes, also known as dances or gestures, are a fundamental part of the Fortnite experience, allowing you to celebrate victories, taunt opponents (respectfully, of course!), communicate with teammates, or simply showcase your personality.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about emoting in Fortnite, covering different platforms, various emote types, how to unlock new emotes, and even some tips for using emotes creatively. Let’s dive in!
## What are Emotes in Fortnite?
Emotes are short animations or sound clips that your character can perform in-game. They range from simple gestures like waving or clapping to elaborate dances, funny sound effects, and even collaborative emotes that require multiple players. Emotes are a core aspect of Fortnite’s social element, adding a layer of personality and expression to the game.
## Why Use Emotes?
* **Expression:** Emotes allow you to express your feelings and reactions in the game. Whether you’re celebrating a victory, showing appreciation to a teammate, or simply having fun, emotes help you communicate without using voice chat.
* **Communication:** Some emotes can be used for basic communication, like pointing out a location or signaling for help.
* **Taunting (Respectfully):** A well-timed emote can be a playful way to taunt your opponents after eliminating them, but remember to keep it respectful and avoid toxic behavior.
* **Teamwork:** Certain emotes are designed for teamwork, such as synchronized dances or collaborative gestures.
* **Fun and Entertainment:** Ultimately, emotes are a fun way to add some flair and personality to your gameplay experience.
## How to Emote on Different Platforms
The method for emoting in Fortnite varies slightly depending on the platform you’re playing on. Here’s a breakdown of how to emote on each platform:
### PC (Keyboard and Mouse)
1. **In-Game:** Ensure you are actually in a match (Battle Royale, Creative, or any other mode).
2. **Press the ‘B’ Key:** The default keybind for opening the Emote Wheel on PC is the ‘B’ key. Pressing ‘B’ will bring up a circular menu containing your currently equipped emotes.
3. **Select an Emote:** Use your mouse cursor to hover over the emote you want to use and click on it. Your character will then perform the emote.
4. **Emote While Moving (Optional):** Some emotes are traversal emotes, which means you can perform them while moving. This is indicated by a small arrow icon on the emote in the emote wheel. To move while emoting, simply move your character using the WASD keys after selecting the traversal emote.
5. **Customizing Keybinds (Advanced):** If you want to change the keybind for the Emote Wheel, you can do so in the game settings:
* Go to the main menu and click on the gear icon (Settings).
* Select the ‘Keyboard Controls’ tab.
* Scroll down to the ‘Emotes’ section.
* You can then customize the keybind for ‘Emote Picker’.
### PlayStation (PS4 & PS5)
1. **In-Game:** As with PC, you must be in an active game.
2. **Press the Down Button on the D-Pad:** Pressing the down button on the D-Pad (the directional pad) on your PlayStation controller will open the Emote Wheel.
3. **Select an Emote:** Use the left analog stick to navigate the Emote Wheel and select the emote you want to use. Press the ‘X’ button to confirm your selection.
4. **Emote While Moving (Optional):** Similar to PC, some emotes are traversal emotes. Move your character using the left analog stick after selecting such emote.
5. **Customizing Emotes (Emote Loadout):** You can change the emotes that appear on your Emote Wheel in the Locker:
* From the main menu, go to the ‘Locker’ tab.
* Select the ‘Emotes’ option.
* You can then drag and drop emotes to customize your Emote Wheel.
### Xbox (Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S)
The process is very similar to PlayStation:
1. **In-Game:** Be in a match.
2. **Press the Down Button on the D-Pad:** Press the down button on the D-Pad on your Xbox controller to open the Emote Wheel.
3. **Select an Emote:** Use the left analog stick to navigate the Emote Wheel and select the emote you want to use. Press the ‘A’ button to confirm your selection.
4. **Emote While Moving (Optional):** Use the left analog stick to move while performing traversal emotes.
5. **Customizing Emotes (Emote Loadout):** Customize the emotes on your Emote Wheel via the ‘Locker’ tab in the main menu, just like on PlayStation.
### Nintendo Switch
1. **In-Game:** Enter a game mode.
2. **Press the Down Button on the D-Pad:** Press the down button on the D-Pad on your Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or Pro Controller to open the Emote Wheel.
3. **Select an Emote:** Use the left analog stick to navigate the Emote Wheel and select the emote you want to use. Press the ‘Y’ button to confirm your selection.
4. **Emote While Moving (Optional):** Move using the left analog stick during traversal emotes.
5. **Customizing Emotes (Emote Loadout):** The ‘Locker’ tab is where you’ll find the customization options for your emotes.
### Mobile (iOS & Android)
The mobile version of Fortnite uses a slightly different interface:
1. **In-Game:** Start or join a match.
2. **Tap the Emote Button:** Look for the Emote button on your screen. It’s usually located near the jump button or build controls and is represented by a smiley face icon.
3. **Select an Emote:** Tapping the Emote button will open a smaller emote selection window. Tap the emote you want to use to perform it.
4. **Customizing Emotes:**
* Go to the ‘Locker’ tab in the main menu.
* Select the ‘Emotes’ option.
* Drag and drop emotes to customize your emote selection.
## Types of Emotes in Fortnite
Fortnite offers a wide variety of emotes, each with its unique style and purpose. Here are some of the main types of emotes you’ll encounter:
* **Dances:** These are the most popular type of emotes, featuring a variety of dance moves from popular culture, music videos, and original creations.
* **Gestures:** Simple actions like waving, clapping, pointing, or making faces.
* **Expressions:** Emotes that convey specific emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise.
* **Sounds:** Emotes that play sound effects, such as a horn, a laugh, or a musical note.
* **Sprays:** Emotes that allow you to spray an image onto surfaces in the game world.
* **Toys:** Emotes that spawn an object in the game world that you can interact with, such as a basketball or a soccer ball.
* **Traversal Emotes:** Emotes that can be performed while moving, allowing you to dance or perform other actions while running or walking.
* **Collaborative Emotes:** Emotes that require multiple players to participate, such as synchronized dances or group gestures.
## How to Get New Emotes
There are several ways to unlock new emotes in Fortnite:
* **Item Shop:** The Item Shop is the primary source for emotes. It features a rotating selection of emotes that can be purchased using V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency.
* **Battle Pass:** The Battle Pass is a seasonal progression system that rewards players with various cosmetic items, including emotes, as they level up.
* **Challenges:** Some challenges, particularly during special events, may reward you with emotes upon completion.
* **Bundles:** Epic Games occasionally releases bundles that contain multiple cosmetic items, including emotes.
* **Crew Pack:** Fortnite Crew subscribers receive a monthly bundle of exclusive cosmetic items, which may include emotes.
* **Promotional Events:** Keep an eye out for promotional events that may offer free emotes or other rewards for participating.
## Managing Your Emote Loadout
Since you can’t equip every emote you own at once, it’s important to manage your emote loadout to have your favorites readily available. Here’s how to do it:
1. **Go to the Locker:** From the main menu, select the ‘Locker’ tab.
2. **Select ‘Emotes’:** Choose the ‘Emotes’ option in the Locker.
3. **Customize Your Wheel:** You’ll see a visual representation of your Emote Wheel. You can drag and drop emotes from your collection onto the wheel to equip them. You can also remove emotes from the wheel by dragging them back into your collection.
4. **Consider Your Playstyle:** Think about the emotes you use most often and prioritize those. Also, consider having a mix of different types of emotes, such as dances, gestures, and sounds, to cover a variety of situations.
## Tips for Using Emotes Effectively
* **Timing is Key:** Use emotes at appropriate moments to maximize their impact. For example, celebrate a victory with a dance emote, or use a gesture emote to thank a teammate for helping you out.
* **Be Mindful of Your Surroundings:** Avoid using emotes in situations where you’re vulnerable to attack. You don’t want to be caught dancing in the open when an enemy is nearby.
* **Use Emotes for Communication:** Some emotes can be used for basic communication, such as pointing out a location or signaling for help. Learn which emotes are useful for communication and use them strategically.
* **Be Respectful:** While it’s fine to taunt your opponents playfully, avoid using emotes that are offensive or toxic. Remember that Fortnite is a game, and it’s important to treat other players with respect.
* **Have Fun!:** Ultimately, emotes are meant to be fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different emotes and find what works best for you. Use them to express yourself, connect with other players, and add some personality to your gameplay experience.
## Creative Emote Uses Beyond Basic Expression
While emoting is primarily for showing off and having fun, there are some more creative and strategic uses you can incorporate into your gameplay:
* **Deception:** In certain situations, an emote can be used to trick opponents. For instance, using a sitting or crouching emote near cover might make them think you are an eliminated player’s loot. Or, performing a slow, silly dance could lull them into a false sense of security.
* **Camouflage (Limited):** While not perfect, some emotes that cause your character to become smaller or change posture might offer a slight camouflage advantage in certain environments.
* **Distraction:** Performing a loud or visually prominent emote can sometimes distract an enemy, giving you a brief window to reposition, heal, or launch a surprise attack. However, this is risky and should be used sparingly.
* **Team Coordination:** Before a fight, synchronize a quick emote with your team to signal readiness or a specific strategy. This can be a subtle but effective way to communicate without voice chat.
* **Storytelling:** In Creative mode, utilize emotes to create short skits or stories with your friends. This can be a fun way to showcase your creativity and entertain other players.
* **Highlight Replays:** When recording gameplay, use emotes at key moments to emphasize exciting plays or funny moments. This can make your replays more engaging and entertaining to watch.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
* **Q: Can I create my own emotes in Fortnite?**
* A: No, Fortnite does not currently allow players to create their own emotes. However, Epic Games regularly adds new emotes to the game, often inspired by community suggestions.
* **Q: Are emotes cross-platform?**
* A: Yes, emotes are cross-platform, meaning you can use them regardless of the platform you’re playing on.
* **Q: Can I gift emotes to other players?**
* A: Yes, you can gift emotes to other players through the Item Shop.
* **Q: Do emotes affect gameplay?**
* A: Generally, no. Emotes are purely cosmetic and do not provide any gameplay advantages. However, as mentioned above, there are some limited strategic uses for emotes.
* **Q: How often does the Item Shop rotate?**
* A: The Item Shop typically rotates daily, with new items appearing every day at 00:00 UTC.
## Conclusion
Emotes are an integral and entertaining part of the Fortnite experience. They offer a fun and expressive way to communicate, celebrate, and connect with other players. By understanding how to emote on your preferred platform, exploring the different types of emotes available, and managing your emote loadout effectively, you can enhance your gameplay and add a personal touch to your Fortnite adventures. So go out there, find your favorite emotes, and start expressing yourself! Just remember to keep it fun, respectful, and maybe even a little bit strategic.