Fortnite players can obtain the Jimothy Sidekick at no cost during the Fortnitemares 2026 event, which runs through October 31, 2026. The free raccoon companion arrived with the game's version 42.30 update on October 1 and cannot be purchased with V-Bucks like other Sidekicks.
Jimothy is based on a real-life raccoon that became an internet sensation in 2026. Epic Games recreated the animal in-game with its distinctive hunched back, giving the Sidekick a distinctive appearance that matches its trash-panda inspiration.
How to claim Jimothy
To unlock the Sidekick, players must complete a specific task involving the Dumpster Dive Sprite, a collectible item introduced in the Fortnitemares update. Start a Battle Royale or Zero Build match and search for Pumpkin Chests, which are giant interactive pumpkins scattered across various points of interest and landmarks on the map. Breaking open a Pumpkin Chest yields a Dumpster Dive Sprite in any variant. Alternatively, players can use Cheat Codes to obtain the Sprite instead.
Once obtained, the Sprite must be brought to an Extraction Site to secure it. This step is critical: using a Portable Extractor does not count toward completing the task, so players must use a proper Extraction Site. After finishing the match and returning to the lobby, the Jimothy Sidekick becomes available in the player's locker and can be selected for use in subsequent matches.
Unlocking bonus rewards
The Jimothy Sidekick includes additional cosmetic tricks that can be unlocked using Sidekick Points earned by playing matches with Jimothy active. These bonus rewards are available across all Sidekick-compatible modes: Battle Royale, Zero Build, Reload, and OG. Players can unlock these rewards at their own pace with no time pressure.
Since the Jimothy Sidekick is tied to the Fortnitemares 2026 event and Chapter 7 Season 4, it may not appear in the Fortnite Item Shop after the event concludes. Epic Games has not confirmed future availability, making the current free window the safest opportunity to claim the companion. Players struggling to locate Dumpster Dive Sprites can use the Cheat Code Locator feature to reveal Legendary Cheat Codes that drop rare Sprite variants when entered.
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