<a href="https://comicvibe.com/fortnite-is-finally-coming-to-linux-but-steam-deck-players-are-left-waiting-for-now/” title=”Fortnite is finally coming to Linux, but Steam Deck players are left waiting for now”>Fortnitemares 2026 is only halfway through, and Epic Games is already adding more content to the Halloween event. Today’s Fortnite update, v42.40, went live on October 15, bringing a new batch of Loot Hacks, two new Sprites, and a couple of quality-of-life changes.
The Fortnite patch also prepares the island for a special Power Hours event this weekend, while Save the World players are getting a brand-new mission encounter. As Chapter 7 Season 4 is set to end on October 31, this is the final update of the season.
What did today’s Fortnite update add?
The biggest gameplay change in today’s Fortnite update is a fresh rotation of Loot Hacks. This includes Finger Guns, one of the silliest weapons in Override, alongside Thorne’s Vampiric Blade, which seems to tie into the Kado Thorne quests reportedly arriving this week. All Sprite Variants have also become hackable.
| Change | Items |
|---|---|
| New Loot Hacks | Thorne’s Vampiric Blade, Finger Guns, Gatekeeper Shotgun, Hunting Rifle, Slap Splash, All Sprite Variants |
| Vaulted | Midas’ Masterpiece (Rift Anomaly), Witch Broom (Pocket Item), and the Super Shot, Big Boom, Action Hero, and Healing Overdrive Match Overrides |
| Balance changes | Sweeper Shotgun now has a slightly increased fire rate |
Unfortunately, a few popular items have been vaulted with the update. The Witch Broom is no longer available as a Pocket Item, which is a surprising change in the middle of Fortnitemares. Midas’ Masterpiece is also gone as a Rift Anomaly, while Epic has removed four Match Overrides, including Big Boom and Healing Overdrive.
On the other hand, the Sweeper Shotgun received a small buff, as its fire rate has been slightly increased. It’s important to note that Epic hasn’t shared exact numbers, so the change may not shake up the meta. Still, players who struggle in close-range fights could find the shotgun a bit more reliable.
Honey and Obsession Sprites in Fortnite v42.40
Today’s Fortnite update also brings two new Sprites to the island. The Honey Sprite is the last winning design from the community Sprite contest held during Chapter 7 Season 3, and it sends a swarm of bees after enemies who damage you.
The Obsession Sprite is tied to the horror film of the same name. Its One Wish Willow power is expected to help players collect other Sprites, but Epic hasn’t explained exactly how it works. However, some reports suggest it could let you wish for a specific Sprite, which would be a huge help for collectors.
We expect both companions to follow the usual pattern and appear in Cheat Code Chests, similar to the Halloween Sprites from v42.30. Since Override ends in about two weeks, it will be interesting to see whether either of them becomes one of the rarest Sprites in Fortnite.
One Piece teased in Fortnite v42.40
Today’s Fortnite update also brings what Hypex, the most popular Fortnite leaker, describes as the first official teaser for the One Piece collaboration. According to the leaker, a Pirate Chest will soon appear on the island as part of the crossover. The teaser was first spotted by Hybrid, another leaker, who shared a short clip from the game.
One Piece has been rumored for Fortnite since 2024, and a leak from September claimed the collab would arrive in November, possibly as a mini-season. However, Epic Games hasn’t confirmed this anime collaboration just yet.
Free Cuddlz Back Bling in Fortnite
Today’s Fortnite update also brings a new free cosmetic, as players can unlock the Cuddlz Back Bling without spending any V-Bucks. It arrives with the new Safety in Numbers Quests, a set of Halloween challenges that take place on UEFN islands. To get the Back Bling, players need to complete 10 quests.
The Cuddlz Back Bling is the final reward of the questline, but it’s not the only free item. Completing two, four, six, and eight quests unlocks a couple of other Halloween cosmetics along the way, including a crowbar Pickaxe and a haunted house Loading Screen.
| Quests completed | Reward |
|---|---|
| 2 | Haunted house icon |
| 4 | Crowbar Pickaxe |
| 6 | Haunted house Loading Screen |
| 8 | Ghostly Claws Pickaxe |
| 10 | Cuddlz Back Bling |
We expect the Safety in Numbers Quests to stay available until Fortnitemares ends, so there’s plenty of time to complete them. However, it’s best not to leave them for the final days of October, as Chapter 7 Season 4 is set to end on October 31.
Fortnite Power Hours: Trick or Treat Sprites
Fortnite is hosting a special Power Hours event this Saturday, October 17, and it revolves around Halloween Sprites. During the event, every player drops in with an enhanced Freddy’s Nightmare, the Freddy Krueger glove that arrived with Fortnitemares 2026. While it’s equipped, you move faster and can slash through opponents.
| Round | ET | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| First round | 2 PM ET, Saturday | 6 PM UTC, Saturday |
| Second round | 9 PM ET, Saturday | 1 AM UTC, Sunday |
In addition, the Trick or Treat Sprite variant will appear more often during Power Hours, making it a good time to complete your collection. Chests may also drop 1-Up Tokens and Portable Extractors, so we recommend landing at POIs with plenty of loot as soon as each round starts.
New locker options and Save the World changes
Fortnite has also added new sorting options to the Locker, according to dataminer ShiinaBR. Players can now sort their cosmetics by Most Used, Last Used, and Least Used, which should make it much easier to find specific skins. This is a small change, but it’s a welcome one for players with hundreds of outfits.
Save the World players are getting a new mission encounter called Challenge the Rift. When in a mission, you can deposit four BluGlo into a Rift to summon a battlefield and fight a Mini-Boss inside the circle. Defeating it rewards Gold, PERK-UP!, and an Evolution Materials Cache.
Anyone can join the fight, but nobody can leave until the Mini-Boss is down. Furthermore, the barrier blocks all attacks from outside, and structures and traps inside the circle are cleared before the fight. If everyone inside gets eliminated, the Mini-Boss vanishes, and there is no way to restart the encounter.
While playing the new update, don’t forget to unlock the Jack-A-Nape skin and other free Fortnite skins before Fortnitemares ends. If you need to catch up with the Battle Pass before the season is over, you can use one of the best XP maps in Fortnite.
