Top 10 Rarest Back Blings in Fortnite

Back Blings are a vital part of Fortnite’s extensive customization options, allowing players to add a personal touch to their characters. These cosmetic items are worn on a character’s back purely for visual flair and do not affect gameplay. With an array of styles, sizes, and themes, Back Blings offer a unique way for players to express themselves on the battlefield.

Much like the game’s coveted rare skins, certain Back Blings have become highly sought after due to their scarcity. Some of these treasures have graced the Item Shop only briefly, appearing once or for a limited time, which has only increased their desirability among the community. Many of these rare Back Blings have not been available for years, leaving fans longing for their return. Given Epic Games’ tendency to rotate items in and out of the vault, there’s always a glimmer of hope that these rare Back Blings might someday make a comeback. In this blog, we delve into the top 10 rarest Back Blings in Fortnite, exploring the elusive treasures that have captivated players.

#1: Rust Bucket

In response to technical issues in April 2018 that prevented some players from accessing Fortnite, Epic Games offered a goodwill gesture to the community by granting all players the Rust Bucket back bling for free. As part of the Storm Scavenger set, the Rust Bucket quickly became a symbol of perseverance through early game challenges.

The Rust Bucket is now considered one of the rarest back blings in Fortnite’s history. Its rarity is accentuated by the fact that it was distributed at a time when Fortnite’s player base was considerably smaller compared to its current numbers. This back bling has not been available since April 19, 2018, making it a unique item that only early adopters of the game were fortunate enough to acquire. For those who own it, the Rust Bucket stands as a testament to their long-standing involvement with Fortnite.

#2: Response Unit

The Response Unit back bling entered Fortnite as a special item through a unique partnership with NVIDIA. Initially, it was exclusively available through the purchase of a new NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card, desktop, or laptop starting in November 2018. This promotional item was part of what was known as The GeForce Fortnite Bundle.

Later, the Response Unit was included in the Fortnite store as part of the Reflex outfit package. To distinguish original owners who obtained the item through the NVIDIA promotion, Epic Games provided these players with an exclusive variant of the Reflex skin, different from what was later sold in the store. Since March 4, 2019, the Response Unit back bling has not been available for acquisition, making it a rare and coveted item among collectors and fans of the game.

#3: Galactic Disc

The Galactic Disc stands out in Fortnite not only for its rarity but also for its unique design—a floating disc that orbits the player’s back rather than sitting directly on it. This back bling became one of Fortnite’s most sought-after items during a special promotion in 2018, where it was available exclusively to those who purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 or Galaxy Tab S4.

The promotion, which concluded on December 31, 2018, also included the Galaxy Outfit, further enhancing the appeal of the offer. Due to its limited availability and the unique method of acquisition, the Galactic Disc is considered one of the rarest back blings in Fortnite’s history. It has not been offered since the end of the promotion and is unlikely to be available again, making it a prized possession for those who managed to claim it.

#4: Backup Plan

The Backup Plan back bling holds a place as one of Fortnite’s rarities, initially offered as an exclusive reward for Twitch Prime members. Players secured this item by linking their Epic Games account with a Twitch Prime account during a special promotion that ran from February to May 2018.

Featured as part of the Havoc outfit, the Backup Plan’s rarity is accentuated by the relatively smaller size of both Fortnite’s and Twitch Prime’s user bases at the time of the promotion. This limited-time offer made the back bling a unique collectible, as it has not been available since the end of the Twitch Prime collaboration. The exclusivity and limited availability window make the Backup Plan a coveted item among long-time players and collectors.

#5: Squire Shield and Royale Shield

During Fortnite’s second season, the battle pass introduced several shields, notable among them were the Squire Shield and Royale Shield. Both shields feature a striking blue and white design with a prominent lion insignia at the center, distinguishing them as symbols of valor. While they appear nearly identical, subtle differences in dimensions adapt them to fit various player models.

Given that Fortnite’s player base was considerably smaller during Season 2, and not all players invested in the battle pass, these shields have become some of the rarest back bling items in the game. Since the end of Season 2 on February 20, 2018, both the Squire Shield and Royale Shield have been unobtainable, elevating their status to highly coveted relics among the community.

#6: Telemetry

The Telemetry back bling, an exclusive part of the Nintendo Switch Double Helix Fortnite bundle, stands out due to its scarcity. Since Fortnite is available for free, many consumers who purchase a Nintendo Switch often choose other bundles and simply download Fortnite later. This purchasing behavior contributed to the rarity of the Telemetry back bling, which was only included in the Double Helix Set alongside the Pinpoint pickaxe and the Double Helix player skin.

Following the release of the Fortnite Wildcat Nintendo Switch bundle, production of new Double Helix bundles ceased in late 2018. Today, finding this bundle can be challenging, and it is often sold by collectors and resellers online for significantly high prices, further highlighting the exclusivity and desirability of the Telemetry back bling and its associated items.

#7: Black Shield

The Black Shield is a legendary back bling in Fortnite, known for its stark black appearance adorned with a dragon insignia. It symbolizes not just style but also dedication, as it was available only to players who reached tier 70 in the Season 2 Battle Pass. During this early season, Fortnite’s player base was significantly smaller, and fewer players invested in the Battle Pass, making the Black Shield particularly rare.

Earning this back bling was a considerable challenge due to the game’s nascent stage; leveling up the Battle Pass required a substantial grind, focusing heavily on accumulating wins and extensive gameplay rather than completing the varied XP challenges that players are accustomed to today. Owning the Black Shield today is a mark of prestige, signaling that the owner was not only an early adopter of Fortnite but also committed to mastering the game from its outset.

#8: Penguin and Insignia

The Penguin and Insignia back blings were unique rewards in Fortnite, available exclusively to players in China as part of a special promotion through the Wegame platform. Players could earn these items by inviting friends to join Wegame; these friends then needed to log 10 hours of playtime for the original player to receive medals redeemable for the back blings. This made acquiring the Penguin and Insignia particularly challenging for players outside of China.

The Penguin back bling is modeled after the mascot of Tencent QQ, a popular Chinese instant messaging service, signifying its cultural relevance. Meanwhile, the Insignia is a sleek shield adorned with black and gold trim, distinguishing it from other back blings with its elegant design.

Both items became even rarer when Epic Games discontinued Fortnite services in China, effectively removing these back blings from the game entirely. They were never made available to players in the West, adding to their exclusivity and rarity.

#9: Buckled

The Buckled Bundle in Fortnite marked a unique offering, consisting of three distinct backpacks: Buckled, Slashed, and Vintage. This trio was made available as a package deal for 800 V-Bucks, appealing to players looking to diversify their back bling options in one go. After its debut in August 2018, the bundle appeared briefly in the item shop until its last sighting in November of the same year.

Despite not being particularly noted for their aesthetic distinctiveness, the backpacks in the Buckled Bundle have gained a special status due to their rarity. Their absence from the shop since late 2018 has turned them into sought-after items among collectors and players who cherish the uniqueness of lesser-seen cosmetics in the game. This rarity alone has cemented their place as special pieces within the Fortnite community.

#10: Blue Shift

The Blue Shift back bling was a standout piece from the PlayStation Plus Celebration Pack 2, exclusively available to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Launched on June 18, 2018, this back bling was offered as a special perk for members and was accessible for just three months before being replaced by the subsequent celebration pack. Since its phase-out, Blue Shift has not made a reappearance in Fortnite.

As one of the exclusive items for PlayStation players, Blue Shift has become one of the rarest back blings in the game, treasured by those who were able to claim it during its limited availability. Its exclusivity and the limited window for acquisition have made it a highly sought-after item, especially among collectors and long-time players of Fortnite.

Conclusion

Fortnite’s array of back blings offers not just a chance to customize characters but also a glimpse into the game’s evolving history and exclusive partnerships. From promotional items tied to specific hardware purchases to limited-time offerings linked to special events, these back blings serve as badges of participation and rarity within the community. As we’ve explored the top 10 rarest back blings, it’s clear that each piece not only adds style to your gameplay but also holds a unique story and significance.

Whether it’s the nostalgia of early season rewards or the exclusivity of geographical promotions, these back blings are more than just cosmetic—they’re collectibles that echo the dynamic and diverse culture of Fortnite. For those who own these items, they offer a sense of pride and distinction, marking moments of opportunity and involvement in Fortnite’s rich tapestry. As the game continues to grow and evolve, the legacy of these rare back blings will undoubtedly continue to intrigue and captivate the community, reminding players of the journeys they’ve embarked on in this expansive virtual world.