The "Reaper" skin is one of the rarest, most coveted, and expensive cosmetic items in Fortnite Battle Royale. But why exactly is it so rare and valued? As a long-time Fortnite player and item trader, let me provide an in-depth expert perspective.
What Makes the Reaper Skin So Rare
Back in Season 3, the Reaper skin could only be unlocked by reaching max "Tier 100" level in the Battle Pass. Out of the 7.6 million players who participated that season, only a tiny fraction reached Tier 100 before time expired.
To put some numbers around it:
- Total Players in February 2018 (Season 3): 7.6 million
- Players Who Reached Tier 100: ~1% or 76,000
- Total Reaper Skins Earned: Roughly 76,000
Based on the wider Fortnite player base today of over 350 million, the Reaper skin holders represent about 0.02% of all players!
Other factors adding to its rarity:
- No way to obtain it since Season 3 ended in April 2018
- Has never reappeared in the item shop
- No authorized re-releases or ways to unlock it
This perfect storm of limited supply and no second chances is why the Reaper skin remains so elusive.
How Reaper Compares to Other Rare Skins
The Reaper skin stands in truly rarefied air even among other incredibly hard to find skins. For comparison:
| Skin | Est. Owners | Why It‘s Rare |
|---|---|---|
| Reaper | 76,000 | Season 3 BP max level reward |
| Aerial Assault Trooper | 1,000-2,000 | Season 1 BP early reward |
| Double Helix | ~10,000 | Bundled with expensive console |
| Renegade Raider | ~10,000 | Season 1 BP reward |
As you can see, the Reaper‘s availability was extremely limited even compared to other skins considered very rare.
Estimated Reseller Value Today
Today, original owners can re-sell Fortnite accounts with the Reaper skin for jaw-dropping amounts:
- Recent Sale Prices: $1,500 – $2,500
- PlayerAuctions Listings: $2,300 – $5,000
These astronomical values stem from extreme demand from collectors and "flexers." Owning such an exclusive, discontinued skin is the ultimate flex and display of OG status.
Some known examples of Reaper skin purchases:
- User "THump" bought an account with Reaper for $2,000 in December 2021
- User "Fortknight" purchased the skin for $1,800 in July 2022
- Influencer "MrGolds" acquired the Reaper skin via trade valued at $3,000 worth of rare skins
These sky-high sale prices reflect the skin‘s prestige and rarity despite having no competitive advantage.
Psychology Behind the Obsession
As someone who has been in the Fortnite trading scene for years, let me provide some perspective on why people covet the Reaper skin so much:
-
Flexing Rare Items – It‘s human nature to want to show off rare, valuable items. The Reaper skin lets people flex something most others will never have.
-
Standing Out – No one wants to look like a "default newbie." The Reaper skin ensures your look stands out.
-
Nostalgia – For OG players from Season 1-3, the Reaper harkens back to the early days of Fortnite.
-
Investment Potential – With continuously rising demand and prices, the Reaper skin has appeal as an appreciating digital asset.
-
Collector Mentality – Completing a full collection of the rarest skins provides satisfaction. Reaper is the crowning jewel.
Personally, I think the nostalgia and desire to stand out are biggest factors driving demand. The skin is so recognizably rare that it boosts your reputation and player clout.
Will Reaper Ever Return?
Among veteran players, there is heavy skepticism that Epic Games would ever directly re-release the Reaper skin given its legendary status. However, it‘s possible we could see a similarLooking "new" version.
Epic likely knows bringing the OG Reaper skin back to the Item Shop would generate huge revenue. Yet it would also destroy much of the cachet and appeal of the original.
As one of the most dedicated Fortnite fans out there, I predict we will never see the exact Reaper skin available again. But I wouldn‘t completely rule out a very similar looking "reskin" at some point to capture revenue while preserving its OG status.
Is the Investment Worth It?
For the average player, dropping thousands just for a single Fortnite cosmetic would be crazy.
But for serious collectors seeking the rarest status symbols? The Reaper represents the holy grail.
Considering its soaring value and mythical appeal, purchasing a Reaper account could be viewed as a reasonable "investment" in many ways.
Yet spending any amount needs careful thought. As they say, "invest" only what you can afford to lose!
The Bottom Line
The Reaper skin remains in incredibly exclusive company even among other rare Fortnite cosmetics. With no legitimate ways to obtain it now, astronomical resale values, and mythic status among players, expect its popularity to endure for the foreseeable future.
For collectors and flexers, owning this one-of-a-kind OG status symbol brings satisfaction that‘s hard to replicate. Even for the rest of us, catching a glimpse of the iconic Reaper in the wild still feels like spotting a unicorn!
