The Top 10 Rarest Fortnite Emotes

Since its explosive entrance onto the gaming scene in 2017, Fortnite has consistently enhanced player experience with a vast range of cosmetic items. Among these, emotes have become a cultural phenomenon, capturing everything from viral TikTok dances to classic memes and iconic real-life choreography.

With an impressive roster of over 700 emotes, Fortnite offers something for every player's style, allowing you to celebrate victories and express yourself in uniquely entertaining ways. But for those who truly want to stand out on the battlefield, possessing one of Fortnite’s rarest emotes can be a game-changer. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 rarest emotes in Fortnite’s history, perfect for those looking to make a statement every time they clinch a Victory Royale.

#10: Out With The Old Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 2, Season 5
• Release Date: December 29, 2020
• Last Seen: January 1, 2021
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Cost: 200 V-Bucks

The "Out With The Old" emote made its debut in the Fortnite Item Shop as a memorable way to bid farewell to the eventful year of 2020. Available for just four days, from December 29, 2020, until New Year's Day 2021, this emote captures a celebratory yet poignant moment. It features your character popping balloons that spell out "2020," symbolizing a fresh start and the ushering in of a new year.

Given that it was specifically tied to the New Year's 2021 Event, it's highly unlikely that "Out With The Old" will return to the Fortnite shop, making it a rare and meaningful collectible. Today, it serves not only as a fun expression but also as a marker of longevity in the game, often used by players to show how long they've been part of the Fortnite community.

#9: Zombie Shambles Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 2, Season 4
• Release Date: November 6, 2020
• Last Seen: November 6, 2020
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Cost: 200 V-Bucks

The Zombie Shambles emote is a perfect example of a fleeting gem in the Fortnite Item Shop. When this emote appeared, it was available for less than a single day—making it one of those unique purchases that most players might overlook without realizing its potential rarity. This emote appealed especially to fans of horror and those still reveling in the post-Halloween excitement, offering a spooky animation of your character performing a zombie-like shuffle.

Given its extremely brief appearance and singular day of availability, Zombie Shambles has become a highly coveted item among the Fortnite community. Its scarcity has left many players regretting not seizing the opportunity to add it to their collection, making it a prized possession for those who did manage to snag it.

#8: Scenario Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 8
• Release Date: March 8, 2019
• Last Seen: December 31, 2019
• Rarity: Rare
• Cost: Requires ownership of a Samsung Galaxy S10 (priced between $749 and $1299)

The Scenario emote stands out not just for its exclusivity, but also for the controversy it stirred within the Fortnite community. Available only to players who purchased a Samsung Galaxy S10, this emote quickly became a symbol of the intense debates over Fortnite's in-game monetization strategies. Despite the promotion running for nearly ten months, many players opted out of acquiring the emote, either due to the lack of access to the required device or on principle against the perceived commercial tactics.

This exclusivity has made the Scenario emote extremely rare and highly sought after, turning it into a coveted piece among collectors and fans who either secured the required smartphone or chose to embrace the unique partnership between Fortnite and Samsung. This rare emote, tied closely to the ownership of a specific high-end product, highlights the unique intersections of gaming and consumer technology.

#7: Introducing… Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 2, Season 3
• Release Date: July 10, 2020
• Last Seen: August 26, 2020
• Rarity: Rare
• Cost: Requires a PlayStation 4 and an active PlayStation Plus subscription (total starting at $409)

The "Introducing…" emote holds the distinction of being the first PlayStation Plus exclusive emote, released as part of the PlayStation Plus Celebration Packs. This emote was made available for free to PlayStation 4 users who were subscribed to PlayStation Plus at the time of the tenth Celebration Pack.

Due to its exclusive nature and the specific requirements—owning a PlayStation 4 and a PlayStation Plus subscription—many players were unable to acquire this emote. Its availability was limited, making it a rare collectible in the Fortnite community. However, players who did claim it and have since moved on from playing on PlayStation have the option to link their PSN account with their Epic Games account to access the emote across different platforms, ensuring they can still enjoy this unique gesture no matter where they play.

#6: Sweaty Rotation Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 3, Season 3
• Release Date: August 2, 2022
• Last Seen: August 9, 2022
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Cost: Earned for free by completing quests

The "Sweaty Rotation" emote became available during the summer of 2022 as part of Fortnite’s No Sweat Summer Quests. If you weren't closely following Fortnite or its seasonal activities at that time, there’s a good chance you missed this particular emote. Players could unlock "Sweaty Rotation" by completing 14 of the No Sweat Summer Quests. Although the quests themselves weren’t overly difficult—ranging from survival tasks across various map locations to playful challenges like jumping on umbrellas and ringing doorbells until they broke—this emote was exclusively tied to this event, making it a unique seasonal reward.

Given its origin from a specific and limited-time event, it’s highly unlikely that the "Sweaty Rotation" emote will ever appear in the Fortnite Item Shop, making it a rare and memorable collectible for those who managed to claim it during its brief availability.

#5: Kiss The Cup Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 9
• Release Date: July 27, 2019
• Last Seen: July 29, 2019
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Cost: 200 V-Bucks

The "Kiss The Cup" emote is a celebratory gesture perfect for savoring victories, but it's also one of the rarest emotes in Fortnite. This emote has only been available twice in the Item Shop, appearing on back-to-back days to commemorate the 2019 Fortnite World Cup, held from July 26 to 28, 2019, and ultimately won by the player Bugha.

Given its brief availability and the specific event it celebrates, acquiring the "Kiss The Cup" emote has become a significant challenge. Priced at 200 V-Bucks, this emote is a rare treasure for those who managed to snag it during its short stint. Its scarcity and connection to a landmark esports event make it a coveted item among Fortnite collectors and fans.

#4: Hot Marat Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 6
• Release Date: November 24, 2018
• Last Seen: November 25, 2018
• Rarity: Rare
• Cost: Free

The Hot Marat emote holds the distinction of being Fortnite’s first collaboration cosmetic to feature an original Disney property, drawing inspiration from the dance performed by Wreck-It Ralph in the film Ralph Breaks the Internet. Characterized by its playful energy, the emote involves bending at the knees paired with a whimsical variation of jazz hands.

Available for free, but only for a brief two-day window in the Item Shop, those who managed to claim the Hot Marat are among the lucky few. This emote's rarity is compounded by its absence from the shop since its initial offering. As a free and fleeting piece of Fortnite’s collaborative history with Disney, the Hot Marat emote has become a prized possession for those who own it, celebrated for its unique origin and rarity.

#3: Welcome! Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 10
• Release Date: October 11, 2019
• Last Seen: October 13, 2019
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Cost: 100 V-Bucks

During a season filled with significant changes and challenges, the "Welcome!" emote made a brief appearance in Fortnite. Available for just three days in October 2019, and priced at only 100 V-Bucks, this emote arrived amidst widespread community controversy over gameplay adjustments, notably the introduction of the B.R.U.T.E. mech suit. The combination of its subtle, unassuming animation and the turbulent season led to low sales, as many players were either distracted by the game's changes or had shifted their focus to other games.

The "Welcome!" emote's rarity is amplified not only by its short availability but also by the specific historical context of its release, making it a rare collector's item for those few who appreciated its understated charm during a pivotal moment in Fortnite's history.

#2: Fresh Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 2
• Release Date: December 15, 2017
• Last Seen: November 21, 2018
• Rarity: Epic
• Cost: 800 V-Bucks

The "Fresh" emote, though it appeared in the item shop 28 times, has emerged as one of Fortnite's rarer emotes. This dance, instantly recognizable as the signature move performed by Alfonso Ribeiro's character, Carlton Banks, in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, captured the hearts of many players. However, its frequent appearance belies its current scarcity.

The absence of "Fresh" from the item shop in recent years can be traced back to legal complications. Alfonso Ribeiro filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, claiming copyright infringement for the use of his dance. Although the lawsuit was eventually dismissed, the controversy has made Epic Games hesitant to re-release the emote, likely to avoid reigniting public scrutiny.

Despite its contentious history, the "Fresh" emote remains a coveted piece of Fortnite nostalgia for many players, celebrated for its fun, upbeat rhythm and cultural significance. Its current rarity only adds to its desirability among the community.

#1: Floss Emote

• Introduced: Chapter 1, Season 2
• Release Date: December 14, 2017
• Last Seen: February 21, 2018
• Rarity: Rare
• Cost: Included in the Battle Pass (950 V-Bucks)

The Floss emote, famously popularized by Russell Horning, also known as 'The Backpack Kid,' quickly became a cultural phenomenon and one of the most iconic dances in Fortnite. This emote was a reward for reaching level 49 in the Chapter One, Season Two Battle Pass. At that time, Fortnite was just beginning to capture the gaming world's attention, which meant fewer players reached such a high level in the Battle Pass, making the Floss notably rare today.

Although there have been other variations of the Floss emote, none hold the prestige of the original. This exclusivity underscores Fortnite's early days and rewards long-time players with a piece of the game's history that new players cannot acquire. The Floss is more than just an emote—it's a badge of honor for Fortnite's veterans, commemorating their early involvement in the game.

Conclusion

Fortnite's ever-expanding universe of emotes not only enhances gameplay with fun and expression but also creates a vibrant history through its rare and exclusive items. From the celebratory moves tied to specific events like the World Cup to those embroiled in legal history, each rare emote carries its own story. As we've explored the top rarest emotes in Fortnite, it's clear that these items do more than just entertain—they connect players to the game's rich cultural tapestry and its evolving community.

Owning one of these rare emotes is a nod to both timing and dedication, whether it's from participating in specific events or committing to early seasons of the game. For the dedicated collector or the nostalgic player, these emotes represent a slice of Fortnite history that can't be obtained any other way. As Fortnite continues to grow and change, the allure of these rare emotes will undoubtedly persist, reminding us of the game's impact on both personal gaming experiences and broader pop culture.