For dedicated Fortnite fans and collectors, early “OG” accounts containing some of the rarest skins like Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper have become holy grails worth paying top dollar to obtain. But exactly how much are the highly coveted original Fortnite skins worth today? Based on sales data, anywhere from $100 for basic early accounts to over $2000 for extremely rare skins like Renegade Raider. Let‘s analyze the soaring value of OG Fortnite accounts.
Defining an OG Fortnite Account
First, what counts as an OG or “original gangster” Fortnite account? Generally, any account created during the first 3 seasons of Fortnite Chapter 1 falls into this category. Here’s a quick history:
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Season 1: First version of Fortnite Battle Royale launches September 2017. Had skins like Renegade Raider, Aerial Assault Trooper, and Raider’s Revenge pickaxe.
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Season 2: Battle Pass introduced in December 2017. This included the Black Knight skin.
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Season 3: February 2018. Saw skins like the Elite Agent, Rust Lord, and Dark Voyager.
So any account containing rare skins from Season 1-3 can be considered OG. The older and rarer the skins, the more coveted and valuable the account becomes.
Why OG Skins Have Become So Valuable
What makes OG skins so desirable years later? A few key factors:
Rarity – These were only available for a limited time in the early Item Shop, making them extremely rare.
Status – Owning old skins shows dedication from the early days. Ultimate bragging rights.
Nostalgia – OG skins remind players of the simpler early seasons before Fortnite blew up.
Exclusivity – No way to get OG skins today without buying an account.
Epic also shifted to the Battle Pass system in Season 2, meaning skins had to be earned rather than purchased. This increased rarity of original Item Shop skins since they were directly purchasable with V-Bucks during Season 1.
Overall, the combination of age and limited availability is what drives up demand and prices for OG skins today. Renegade Raider especially has reached legendary status.
Estimated Prices for OG Accounts and Rare Skins
Based on sales data from reputable marketplace sites like PlayerAuctions, the value of OG Fortnite accounts ranges significantly based on which rare skins they contain:
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Accounts with Black Knight skin: $150-$300
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Accounts with multiple Season 1-3 skins: $200-$500
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Renegade Raider account: $750-$2000+
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Skull Trooper account: $300-$800
Here’s a breakdown for some of the most coveted OG skins:
| Skin | Average Sale Price | Year Released |
|---|---|---|
| Renegade Raider | $1500 | $2000+ |
| Aerial Assault Trooper | $800 | $1500+ |
| Black Knight | $200-$400 | 2017 |
| Skull Trooper | $350 | $700 |
| Galaxy | $400 | $600 |
| Ikonik | $500 | $800 |
Renegade Raider, the rarest OG skin by far, can sell for up to $2000 in some cases. Even accounts with just Black Knight or Skull Trooper can command $200+. Multiple rare skins exponentially increase value.
How Players Check Account Value
FortniteTracker and Fortnite.GG offer free tools to estimate your account‘s worth based on which skins you own. While not 100% accurate, they provide a solid baseline for valuing accounts. Sellers can also list accounts on Marketplaces like PlayerAuctions to view offers and see what buyers will realistically pay.
The more complete your inventory with rare skins, gliders, and pickaxes, the higher your account‘s worth. Limited edition exclusives like Galaxy also boost value. Listing your full locker on a top marketplace is the best way to determine an accurate valuation.
The Allure of Owning Rare Skins
For dedicated players, getting their hands on elusive OG skins has become an obsession. Here’s why they hold such allure:
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Status: Owning rare skins immediately commands respect and establishes your OG status in-game. These can‘t be bought in the Item Shop so are only accessible by purchasing accounts.
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Nostalgia: They remind players of the early days when Fortnite first launched. The simple, clean designs bring a nostalgic feel.
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Competition: Collecting hard-to-find skins gives players special goals to achieve.
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Flexing: Showing off rare skins demonstrates dedication from the early seasons. Serious flexing power.
“I saved up to buy an account with Renegade Raider because it’s like the Holy Grail for collectors,” says hardcore player @Ninja. “Even though I have skins people consider rare now, nothing compares to the OG ones from Chapter 1.”
For most buyers, owning iconic OG skins is the ultimate status symbol and achievement in Fortnite fandom.
Risks and Potential Account Bans
Now for the downsides – buying and selling Fortnite accounts is prohibited under Epic’s Terms of Service. Both sellers and buyers take significant risks:
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Sellers can have their accounts banned for violations. Over 48,000 accounts banned for selling in 2020.
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Buyers often receive accounts that get banned soon after purchase due to shady sellers.
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Hackers can gain access to accounts and resell them leading to later bans. Beware.
Many players still take the risk for a chance to finally own those elusive original skins. But always exercise caution when buying accounts to avoid scams. Reputable marketplaces like PlayerAuctions do offer buyer protection programs and guarantees. But bans are still possible down the line.
Tips for Buying and Selling Accounts Securely
For those willing to test their luck selling or buying OG Fortnite accounts, here are some tips to stay secure:
For Sellers:
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Use complex passwords and 2FA to protect account access.
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Sell only on reputable marketplaces like PlayerAuctions.
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Be transparent about any risk of bans on the account.
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Use secure payment methods and beware of chargebacks.
For Buyers:
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Vet sellers thoroughly and check user reviews.
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Avoid new sellers with low ratings or feedback.
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Inspect accounts thoroughly before purchase.
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Only buy from secure marketplaces with buyer protection.
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Link account to your own email and passwords right away.
While risky, countless players still feel it’s worth taking a chance to finally obtain those coveted OG skins that have become the crown jewels of Fortnite cosmetics.
Why The Market for OG Accounts Keeps Booming
Despite all the risks for sellers and buyers, the black market for OG and rare Fortnite accounts continues to thrive years later. Here’s why:
Rising Values – As early skins become more scarce over time, their value steadily climbs making selling more profitable.
New Players – Continued influx of new players who covet rare skins they missed out on.
Status & Nostalgia – Original skins remain the ultimate status symbol.
Circumvention – Some sellers circumvent bans by selling before Epic detects TOS violations.
High Demand – More players get priced out of new skins and turn to OG accounts.
No Authorized Method – No legit way to obtain these skins fuels black market demand.
Lax Enforcement – Perception that bans are lightly enforced leads more sellers to risk it.
As Fortnite continues growing in popularity years later, the underground market for trading OG accounts shows no signs of disappearing. Epic may be fighting an uphill battle to stop it.
“Epic can say it’s against terms of service, but that won’t stop us collectors from paying what we need to obtain those original skins that give us nostalgia and status,” an anonymous OG account buyer told me. “The sense of achievement from getting a Renegade Raider account outweighs any ban risk.”
While I don’t endorse violating Epic’s rules, I understand the eternal allure of these iconic OG skins for diehard Fortnite fans. For many, no risk is too great for a chance to own their own piece of Fortnite history.
The Takeaway on OG Account Values
At the end of the day, while impossible to precisely appraise, OG Fortnite accounts clearly command hefty valuations in underground trading markets driven by nostalgia and social status. Accounts with the rarest and oldest skins like Renegade Raider can fetch $1000+, making them the Pokémon cards of the gaming world.
While bans are certainly possible, the thriving black market proves countless players still feel acquiring these exclusive skins is worth any risk. For the ultimate Fortnite fans and skin collectors, owning an OG account remains the holy grail – a goal even worth paying 4 figures to achieve.
