The Short Answer: Yes, Skull Trooper is Considered an OG Skin
In the Fortnite community, “OG” refers to skins that released in the first few seasons and are now extremely rare. Based on when and how it was originally obtained, Skull Trooper checks all the boxes of an iconic OG skin. Let‘s dive into the full history and data behind Skull Trooper‘s prestige.
A Brief History of Skull Trooper – Why This Skin Became So Coveted
Skull Trooper first entered the Fortnite Item Shop in October 2017 during Season 1, being one of the first Halloween-themed skins. At Uncommon rarity, it was reasonably priced at just 1200 V-Bucks.
At the time, no one could have predicted this fairly average looking skin would eventually gain “OG” status. But Skull Trooper quickly became popular among early adopters of the game for its creepy skull design. It even became something of an urban legend among players who swore they had seen Skull Trooper in game, but couldn‘t obtain it themselves.
For over 400 days between November 2017 and October 2018, the Skull Trooper skin remained vaulted in Epic‘s locker. Then suddenly for Fortnitemare 2018, Skull Trooper finally returned to the item shop. But to the shock of OG owners, Epic also introduced a new Purple Glow variant exclusive to them.
This created two versions – the OG purple and the newly available default white. Long-time Skull Trooper owners felt disappointed that their rare skin was being sold again. But the addition of the purple variant cemented Skull Trooper‘s prestige, distinguishing the small batch of OG owners.
Just How Rare is a Legitimate OG Skull Trooper?
According to various player surveys and estimates, roughly 800,000 to 1 million Fortnite accounts possess the original Skull Trooper. That may seem high, but over 350 million people have played Fortnite as of 2022.
So legit OG Skull Troopers make up less than 1% of all users! For comparison, at least 5 million players are estimated to own much more common skins like Ghoul Trooper and Skull Ranger.
The number of accounts with the special purple variant is certainly smaller still, likely in the tens of thousands at best. So anyone sporting the purplish-blue glow is part of an incredibly exclusive club of dedicated Season 1 veterans.
Value and Demand for Skull Trooper Over Time
Back in early 2018 when Skull Trooper accounts were selling, they went for around $100 – already a hefty sum. By mid-2018, their value grew to $250 as players anticipated the skin‘s return.
But after the purple style was added, prices for OG Purple Skull Trooper vaulted as high as $500. Even today in 2024, these rare accounts fetch anywhere from $300 to $400 on skin trading sites.
During the Fortnitemares event each year, demand and prices for Skull Trooper accounts also surge due to the skin‘s theming. So patient sellers can maximize profits selling around Halloween.
| Date | Average Skull Trooper Account Price |
|---|---|
| October 2017 (Initial Release) | $0 (Base V-Buck Price) |
| March 2018 | $100 |
| October 2018 (Purple Variant) | $250 |
| October 2022 | $350 |
As this historical data shows, the value has steadily grown over 75x the original price as Skull Trooper remains one of the rarest OG skins.
How Other OG Skins Stack Up Against Skull Trooper
While Skull Trooper is near the top, a few other OG skins can compete or even exceed its prestige and value due to their exclusivity.
| Skin | Rarity Rating | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Renegade Raider | 10/10 | $350 |
| Aerial Assault Trooper | 9.5/10 | $250 |
| Skull Trooper (Purple) | 9/10 | $300 |
| Double Helix | 9/10 | $150 |
| Black Knight | 8/10 | $100 |
As we can see, the original Purple Skull Trooper sits right among the top echelon of the rarest and most coveted OG skins.
Stories from Skull Trooper Owners – A Skin Steeped in Nostalgia
To understand the sentimental value of OG Skull Trooper, here are some quotes from players reminiscing about acquiring it:
“I just thought it looked so sick, especially the purple ghostly glow. Didn‘t know back then it would become so rare.”
“I started playing in Season 1 and begged my parents to let me buy Skull Trooper. Now I feel like one of the OG Fortnite players.”
“Purple Skull Trooper is my prize possession. I‘ll never sell my account – too many memories.”
For these dedicated players, the skin represents a badge of honor and nostalgia from jumping into Fortnite from the start. The social status and exclusivity are an added bonus.
Travis Scott – The Most Valuable Icon Skin
Beyond OG skins, Icon Series collaborative skins have also become grails for collectors, with Travis Scott arguably the most sought after. Released during his Astronomical concert event in April 2020, accounts simply containing the basic Travis Scott skin tend to resell for $100 to $150.
Travis Scott owners also received the Sicko Mode style, making the skin combo worth up to $250. And special variants like the Golden Astro Jack could boost accounts to over $300 in value.
Considering the skin was only 1500 V-Bucks originally, that is an insane return for owners looking to cash out on this elite collab.
Other Prized Icon Skins and Collaborations
Some other Icon skins with huge value are:
- IKONIK – Samsung Galaxy promotion ($200+)
- Honor Guard – Galaxy promotion ($150)
- Wonder – Exclusive to certain Nvidia GPUs ($150)
- Glow – Samsung promotion ($100)
Collab skins with artists, movies, and games attract buyers who are fans beyond just Fortnite. Their limited availability causes values to soar.
Navigating the Skin Resale Minefield
For collectors looking to buy OG skins, always exercise caution, as scams abound. Verifying sellers own the original email and password associated with an account is crucial. Ask for videos of them logged in and using the skins from the lobby.
Ideal platforms like PlayerAuctions offer buyer/seller protections and mediation for disputes. Never gift skins upfront – use middlemen services if deals involve premium skins worth $100+.
On the selling side, trusted middlemen remain key to ensure delivery of accounts only once payment is secured. Avoid shady buyers pressuring you to hand over accounts before payment. Overall, treat rare skins like real world luxury collectibles in needing trusted authenticators and escrows during transactions.
The Future Value of OG Skins
While impossible to predict precisely, as Fortnite ages, the earliest skins will likely only grow in significance, nostalgia, and valuation. However, Epic may opt to re-release more old skins, risking community backlash but giving more players access.
Regardless, the rarest OGs like Renegade Raider and OG Purple Skull Trooper will maintain their elite status as the ultimate badges of honor for day one Fortnite players. Their rarity and history will always make them Holy Grails.
For collectors, OG skins remain sound investments – their value consistently appreciates over time. And for players just in it for the love of the game, owning an old rare skin still provides that special feeling of being part of something special during Fortnite‘s beginnings.
