Introduction: What Are Sidekick Points in Fortnite?
Fortnite has always been about creativity, character, and competition. But with the introduction of Sidekicks, Epic Games added a whole new layer of personalisation and fun. Sidekicks are your in-game companions—adorable, quirky pets that stay by your side during matches. While they don’t change your gameplay or stats, they bring personality to your avatar, making every moment in Fortnite more lively.
Sidekick Points are the key to unlocking new accessories, colour schemes, and styles for your pet companion. These points act as a special in-game currency for Sidekick upgrades and are earned through regular gameplay.
This article covers how to earn Sidekick Points, the best modes to play, tips to farm them efficiently, and what to spend them on — plus a short “biography” of how Fortnite’s Sidekick system came to be.
The Origin of Sidekicks: Fortnite’s Evolving Companion System
Epic Games has continually evolved Fortnite beyond its battle royale roots — introducing Creative Mode, LEGO Fortnite, and endless crossover events. The Sidekick system was designed to add emotional and creative depth to players’ avatars.
A brief “biography” of Sidekicks:
- Introduced: Late 2024, as part of Fortnite’s push toward enhanced personalisation and emotional engagement.
- Purpose: To give players a constant, interactive companion that reflects their style, achievements, and creativity.
- Design Evolution: Initially conceptualised as animated “back bling,” Sidekicks evolved into fully realised, animated characters that respond to emotes, player actions, and even match outcomes.
- Player Reception: The community quickly embraced Sidekicks for their charm, calling them “Fortnite’s emotional touch.”
Since then, earning Sidekick Points (SP) has become a core part of the Fortnite experience for collectors, cosmetic enthusiasts, and casual players alike.
Getting Started: How to Equip Your Sidekick
Before earning any Sidekick Points, you’ll need to unlock and equip your Sidekick. Follow these simple steps:
- Unlock a Sidekick:
You can earn one through the Battle Pass, Item Shop, or limited-time event rewards. Occasionally, Epic gives out base Sidekicks during special promotions. - Head to Your Locker:
Open Fortnite’s Locker tab, scroll to the Sidekicks section, and choose your desired companion. - Equip and Customise:
Select your Sidekick and customise their appearance, colour scheme, or accessories. You can modify their hats, collars, and clothing — but base traits like body type or fur pattern are permanent once chosen. - Confirm and Save:
After equipping, your Sidekick will appear beside your avatar in supported game modes. From now on, every match you play with them active will earn Sidekick Points.
How to Earn Sidekick Points in Fortnite
Now that your Sidekick is ready, let’s break down exactly how to earn Sidekick Points efficiently.
1. Play Supported Game Modes
You earn SP (Sidekick Points) simply by playing modes that support Sidekicks. These include:
- Battle Royale & Zero Build: Every match played with your Sidekick equipped earns you points based on match duration.
- Creative Mode: Certain player-made experiences allow Sidekicks and contribute to SP gains.
- LEGO Fortnite & Featured Modes: These often support Sidekicks and are great for long play sessions where points accumulate passively.
Tip: The longer you stay in a match, the more Sidekick Points you earn — even if you aren’t actively fighting.
2. Time = Points
Unlike XP systems tied to eliminations or wins, Sidekick Points reward time spent in-game. For every minute of active gameplay with your Sidekick equipped, you accumulate progress.
Community tests indicate players can earn roughly 100 SP per minute, depending on mode and activity level.
That means a 20-minute session could net you 2,000 SP or more — even if you’re just exploring or completing quests.
3. Daily and Weekly Challenges
Epic Games occasionally adds Sidekick-specific challenges under the Quests tab. These may include:
- “Play 15 minutes with your Sidekick equipped.”
- “Earn 1,000 SP in any mode.”
- “Complete a match with your Sidekick in LEGO Fortnite.”
Completing these gives you bonus Sidekick Points and occasionally unlocks exclusive cosmetic items.
4. Stay Active During Events
Special events (like Fortnite’s summer festivals or crossover celebrations) often include Sidekick-related goals. During these, SP accumulation doubles or triples in specific modes.
Always check Fortnite’s event tab for active multipliers. Playing during these events is one of the fastest ways to level up your Sidekick cosmetics.
Tips to Earn Sidekick Points Faster
Here are some proven strategies to earn Sidekick Points efficiently:
✅ Always equip your Sidekick before entering any match.
If you forget to equip them, you won’t earn points, even if the mode supports it.
✅ Play longer modes like LEGO Fortnite or Creative Freeplay.
Because SP is time-based, modes with extended sessions provide better returns.
✅ Combine Battle Pass progression with Sidekick usage.
You’ll earn XP and SP simultaneously, optimising your grind.
✅ Join community events or extended creative sessions.
These often have AFK-friendly setups where you can accumulate SP passively.
✅ Keep your Sidekick active even in downtime.
As long as you’re in a match, your Sidekick earns points — whether you’re fighting or exploring.
✅ Track your progress in the Locker tab.
You can see your Sidekick’s current SP level and unlock milestones for accessories.
What to Spend Sidekick Points On
Once you’ve built up your stash of Sidekick Points, it’s time to make your pet shine!
Here’s what you can unlock:
- 🎩 Accessories: Hats, collars, hoodies, backpacks, and other custom outfits for your Sidekick.
- 🎨 Style Variants: New colour palettes or patterns that match your favourite Fortnite skins.
- 💫 Animated Reactions: Some cosmetics add fun emotes or idle animations to your Sidekick.
- 🐾 Name Tags and Titles: Customise your Sidekick’s identity with unique labels.
Note: All these upgrades are cosmetic only. They don’t affect gameplay, performance, or stats — but they do make your companion truly one-of-a-kind.
Troubleshooting: Why Am I Not Earning Sidekick Points?
If you’re not seeing progress, check the following:
- Is your Sidekick properly equipped in the Locker?
- Are you playing in a supported game mode?
- Are you connected to Epic’s servers (no offline or local mode)?
- Did you recently change devices or regions? Progress might take time to sync.
If everything checks out and you still see no points, relaunch the game or reinstall updates — Epic frequently patches backend issues related to Sidekick syncing.
The Future of Sidekicks in Fortnite
Epic has big plans for the Sidekick system. Rumours from dataminers suggest upcoming features like:
- Sidekick XP Levels: Level up your Sidekick beyond cosmetic rewards.
- Mini Challenges: Tasks that your Sidekick “assists” with during gameplay.
- Cross-Mode Companionship: Bring your Sidekick into more Fortnite universes, like LEGO and Creative 2.0.
These additions will make Sidekicks even more interactive and integral to the Fortnite experience — transforming them from passive pets to fully integrated partners in your journey.
Final Thoughts
Sidekicks are more than just Fortnite accessories — they represent a growing trend of personalisation and emotional connection in gaming. Earning Sidekick Points gives you the freedom to express your creativity, bond with your companion, and showcase your style in every match.
Whether you’re grinding Battle Royale, chilling in LEGO Fortnite, or exploring a creative island, having your Sidekick by your side makes the adventure richer — and the grind more rewarding.
So, equip your Sidekick, jump into your favourite mode, and start earning those points today. Your next cosmetic upgrade — and a much cooler companion — awaits.