How to Get the Fernet Skin in Fortnite for Free Through Kernel Hearts Promotion

Epic Games has introduced a new collaboration tied to the upcoming action RPG Kernel Hearts, allowing players to acquire the Fernet skin in Fortnite for free. The promotion went live on August 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET, and remains available through the game's full release on September 17, 2026. Fernet serves as the captain of the M.A.H.O.U. Squad in Kernel Hearts, which is a roguelike action RPG developed by Argentinian studio Ephemera Games.

To claim the free outfit without spending any V-Bucks, players must open the Epic Games Store via desktop app or website and sign in using the exact Epic Games account linked to their Fortnite progress. By searching for Kernel Hearts and completing a pre-purchase or purchase for $19.99, Epic Games automatically adds the Fernet Outfit directly to the player's Fortnite locker without requiring any extra codes or redemption steps. Crucially, purchasing the game on a separate Epic account will send the reward to that specific account rather than a main Fortnite profile. For players who choose to gift Kernel Hearts to a friend through the Epic Games Store, the friend receives the Fernet Outfit instead of the gifter, provided their account is linked to Fortnite.

Players who previously purchased the Fernet Outfit separately from the Item Shop prior to buying Kernel Hearts will not receive a duplicate outfit. Instead, Epic Games will grant a one-time bonus of 1,500 V-Bucks upon completing the game purchase. Alternatively, players who do not wish to purchase Kernel Hearts can wait for the outfit to land in the Fortnite Item Shop on September 26, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET, where it will be available for purchase individually for 1,500 V-Bucks.