The Fortnite community is going through the biggest split right now. Why? That’s because Epic Games has decided to bring back the Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper OG skins after these legendary skins were exclusive for seven years. We have seen tons of people post online, some are excited, but others are so upset that they’re even saying they will quit the game. Unlike the split we saw with the Skibidi Toilet x Fortnite skin release, this one feels way more intense and serious. It’s wild how much debate this has sparked.
Why Rare OG Skins Matter for Veteran Fortnite Players
The Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper are not just another skin in the game, they are pieces of Fortnite history. Here’s why both skins are considered legendary in Fortnite:
The Legendary Renegade Raider Skin
The Renegade Raider first appeared back in Fortnite’s early days during Chapter 1 Season 1 in 2017. It quickly became the most wanted skin in the game. What made it so special was how you unlocked it. Back then, you had to hit Season Level 20 just to have the option to buy it for 1,200 V-Bucks. When it left the shop on December 13th, 2017, no one thought it would turn into one of the most legendary skins in gaming. For seven years, it’s been a badge of honor for Fortnite’s OG players, showing everyone you’ve been around since the beginning.
The Forgotten Aerial Assault Trooper Skin
While the Renegade Raider gets all the attention, the Aerial Assault Trooper has an even rarer story. It dropped in Season 1, right alongside Renegade Raider, and had a lower-level requirement. You only needed to hit Season Level 15 and spend 1,200 V-Bucks to get it. But here’s the thing: its simple, military-style design didn’t grab as much attention back then, so most players skipped it for flashier skins. That’s what makes it so rare today. Less than 1% of Fortnite’s original players owned this forgotten OG skin, making it one of the rarest items from the game’s early days.
Fortnite Community Divided Over the Return of OG Skins
For a lot of veteran players, these skins mean more than just cosmetics because they represent their dedication to Fortnite from the beginning. Some original owners of the Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper skins are upset about their return, feeling like the rarity and value of their skins has been ruined. Some messages are going around where players asking others not to buy the skins out of respect for the OGs.
Many long-time players believe that certain cosmetics should stay exclusive to preserve their status as part of Fortnite’s history. One player summed up the frustration, saying, “Yeah, this is a huge L. Just made one of the absolute rarest skins in the game garbage now because literally everyone will have it. Like why?”
While a lot of players are upset about the return of these skins, there’s also a lot of support for it. New players are excited to finally get their hands on items that were once impossible to get. Some people feel that gatekeeping isn’t fair and think items should be available to everyone, making the game more inclusive.
One community member responded, “Thank you Fortnite! After 7 years I can finally unlock the cosmetic I’ve been missing.” To balance both sides, Epic Games has announced that original owners will receive exclusive new styles in Spring 2025, attempting to maintain some level of exclusivity while still making the base skins available to everyone.
The debate is still going strong on social media, showing just how much these digital items mean to the Fortnite community. If you’re new to Fortnite and want to grab these rare skins, make sure to check out the guide on how to unlock the Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper skins. Just a heads up, you’ll need a good amount of XP before you can even purchase them.
