Top 6 Best OG Fortnite Skins

Fortnite has been around since 2017, and over the years it’s added an insane number of skins through Battle Passes, Item Shop rotations, and big-name collaborations. While newer skins are more detailed and flashy, nothing hits quite like the original Fortnite skins from the early seasons. These OG skins are tied to the game’s launch era, when Fortnite was still finding its identity, and that’s exactly why they’re so respected today. Most of them are no longer obtainable, making them instantly recognizable and highly valued by longtime players and collectors alike. In this article, we’ve ranked the top 6 best OG Fortnite skins, focusing on rarity, history, and how iconic they still feel today, so if you want to know which skins truly prove you’ve been playing since the beginning, you’re in the right place.

#6: Aerial Assault Trooper

Release: September 2017 (Chapter 1, Season 1)
How it was obtained: Available for purchase in the Item Shop during Fortnite’s very first season

When people talk about true OG Fortnite skins, Aerial Assault Trooper is always one of the first names that comes up. It launched right at the beginning of Fortnite’s Battle Royale journey and was only obtainable during Chapter 1 Season 1, making it one of the earliest skins ever added to the game. The design is extremely simple by today’s standards, featuring a clean military-style outfit paired with the iconic pilot helmet and goggles, but that simplicity is exactly why it stands out.

Even back then, this skin wasn’t something everyone had. Buying it meant you were already invested in Fortnite during its earliest days, long before the game became a global phenomenon. There were no flashy effects, reactive styles, or extra variants—just a straightforward, competitive look that fit perfectly with early Fortnite’s focus on pure gameplay.

Today, seeing an Aerial Assault Trooper in a match instantly signals experience and history. It’s not about how it looks compared to modern skins; it’s about what it represents. This skin is a reminder of Fortnite’s roots and the players who were there from the very beginning, which is exactly why it earns its spot among the best OG Fortnite skins.

#5: Ghoul Trooper (Pink)

Release: October 2017 (Chapter 1, Season 1 – Fortnitemares)
How it was obtained: Sold in the Item Shop during Fortnite’s very first Halloween event

Ghoul Trooper is one of those Fortnite skins that instantly brings back memories of the game’s earliest days, but the Pink style is what truly elevates it into OG status. When the skin first appeared during the original Fortnitemares event in 2017, it quickly stood out thanks to its spooky zombie theme and clean, recognizable look. At the time, nobody knew it would become one of the most talked-about skins in Fortnite history.

What makes the Pink Ghoul Trooper so special is its exclusivity. While the standard versions of Ghoul Trooper have returned to the Item Shop multiple times over the years, the Pink variant was locked permanently to players who bought the skin back in 2017. Epic later rewarded those original owners with this style, and it has never been made available again. That decision instantly turned it into a status symbol.

Seeing a Pink Ghoul Trooper in a lobby is a clear sign you’re looking at a true Fortnite veteran. It’s not just rare—it represents being there from the very beginning, before skins, events, and cosmetics became as massive as they are today. That combination of nostalgia, exclusivity, and history is exactly why Pink Ghoul Trooper remains one of the most iconic OG Fortnite skins ever.

#4: Ikonik

Release: September 2018 (Chapter 1, Season 5)
How it was obtained: Exclusive promotion with the Samsung Galaxy S10

Ikonik is one of those Fortnite skins that instantly screams exclusivity. Unlike early Item Shop OGs, this skin was never something you could just buy with V-Bucks. Ikonik was locked behind a real-world promotion, only available to players who purchased a Samsung Galaxy S10 and redeemed it through the Fortnite app. That alone made it rare from day one.

The design itself fits perfectly with Fortnite’s late Chapter 1 era. The clean black outfit, glowing accents, and subtle futuristic vibe made Ikonik stand out without being over-the-top. It wasn’t flashy in the same way later collab skins became, but it had a cool, understated style that aged extremely well. Even years later, it still looks modern.

What really pushed Ikonik into OG territory is how short its availability window was. Once the promotion ended, the skin was gone for good. No re-releases, no alternate styles, no second chances. If you see an Ikonik in-game today, you’re either looking at someone who was playing back in 2018 and jumped on the promo, or someone who owns a truly rare Fortnite account.

Ikonik represents a unique era of Fortnite where skins weren’t just cosmetics, but symbols of being in the right place at the right time. That mix of limited availability, clean design, and nostalgia is exactly why Ikonik earns its spot among the best OG Fortnite skins.

#3: Galaxy

Release: 2018 (Chapter 1 era)
How it was obtained: Exclusive Samsung promotion

Galaxy is one of the most recognizable OG Fortnite skins ever released, and even years later, it still turns heads in-game. This skin was never sold in the Item Shop and couldn’t be earned through gameplay. The only way to unlock Galaxy was by purchasing a Samsung device that qualified for the promotion and redeeming it during a very limited window. Because of that, it was rare the moment it launched.

What really makes Galaxy special is the design. Instead of a normal outfit, the skin is covered in a glowing, animated cosmic texture that looks like a moving universe. Back in early Fortnite, nothing else looked even close to this. Seeing a Galaxy skin drop into a match instantly made people stop and look, because it felt premium, futuristic, and completely different from standard skins at the time.

Another reason Galaxy holds OG status is that it represents an era when Fortnite promotions were new and experimental. Epic didn’t bring it back, didn’t recolor it, and didn’t offer alternatives for players who missed out. If you didn’t get it during the promotion, that was it. No second chances.

Today, Galaxy is more than just a skin. It’s a badge of being an early Fortnite player with access to one of the rarest collaborations the game has ever seen. If you spot one in a lobby now, you know you’re looking at a true OG.

#2: Renegade Raider

Release: September 2017 (Chapter 1, Season 1)
How it was obtained: Reaching level 20 and purchasing it from the Season Shop

Renegade Raider is often the first skin people think of when the term “OG Fortnite skin” comes up, and for good reason. This outfit was available only during Fortnite’s very first season, before Battle Passes even worked the way they do now. Players had to grind levels just to unlock the option to buy it, and even then, many skipped it without realizing how rare it would become.

The design itself is simple by today’s standards, but that’s exactly what gives it its charm. The rugged pilot look, brown leather outfit, and aviator cap perfectly match Fortnite’s early art style. It feels grounded, practical, and unmistakably old-school. Back then, skins weren’t flashy or overloaded with effects, and Renegade Raider represents that original Fortnite identity better than almost any other cosmetic.

What truly cements Renegade Raider’s legendary status is that it has never returned. Epic has kept it locked to Chapter 1, Season 1 players only, with no re-releases, no reskins, and no alternate versions. If someone is wearing Renegade Raider today, you instantly know they were there at the very start.

Because of its extreme rarity and history, Renegade Raider has become one of the most valuable Fortnite skins ever. It’s not just a cosmetic, it’s proof that you played Fortnite before it became the global phenomenon it is today.

#1: Black Knight

Release: February 2018 (Chapter 1, Season 2)
How it was obtained: Reaching Tier 70 in the Chapter 1, Season 2 Battle Pass

Black Knight sits at the very top of OG Fortnite skins, and for a lot of players, nothing else even comes close. This skin wasn’t just rare, it was earned. To unlock Black Knight, you had to fully grind out the Season 2 Battle Pass back when leveling was much slower and challenges weren’t nearly as generous as they are today. Hitting Tier 70 actually meant something back then.

Visually, Black Knight still holds up years later. The dark medieval armor, red accents, and intimidating knight design made it stand out instantly in matches. It wasn’t flashy or overdesigned, but it looked powerful, serious, and clean. Even now, Black Knight feels timeless compared to many modern skins that rely heavily on effects or gimmicks.

What really makes Black Knight legendary is what it represents. Season 2 was when Fortnite truly started to explode in popularity, and Black Knight became a symbol of players who were there before the game went fully mainstream. If you saw someone wearing it in a lobby, you knew they were experienced, committed, and likely pretty good at the game.

Unlike some other early skins, Black Knight has never returned and never will. No reskins, no recolors, no Item Shop variants. If you didn’t earn it back then, you missed your chance forever. That exclusivity, combined with its iconic look and historical importance, is why Black Knight is widely considered the best OG Fortnite skin of all time.

Conclusion

The OG Fortnite skins on this list aren’t just rare outfits, they’re pieces of Fortnite history. Each one represents a different moment from the game’s early days, back when every win felt huge and grinding actually mattered. From early Item Shop legends to Battle Pass rewards that can never be earned again, these skins have become symbols of experience, loyalty, and time invested. That’s why they’re still so respected years later. Whether it’s the status of Black Knight or the nostalgia tied to skins like Renegade Raider and Ghoul Trooper, OG Fortnite skins will always hold a special place in the community. No matter how many new skins Epic releases, these classics will remain unmatched.