Epic Games is once again rewarding longtime ‘Fortnite‘ players with a free Sidekick. With the v39.50 update that dropped on February 19, the beloved Woodsy pet has officially been converted into a full Sidekick. OG players who own the original back bling can claim it for free.
Woodsy first appeared as a pet back bling in Chapter 1 Season 8 Battle Pass back in February 2019. Players needed to reach Tier 18 to unlock it, with two additional styles at Tiers 35 and 83. Now, seven years later, Epic has turned the pooch into a Sidekick as part of the Ruff Stuff Set.
Who Is Eligible For The Free Woodsy Sidekick?
The Woodsy Sidekick is not free for everyone. Only players who already own the original Woodsy pet back bling from the Chapter 1 Season 8 Battle Pass can get this sidekick for free. Since old Battle Pass items cannot be purchased retroactively, this is an exclusive reward for OG players only.
Epic began distributing the Sidekick on Friday night, and the rollout is expected to be completed within 24 hours. There are no special quests or challenges required to claim it. Players need to log in using the account that has the original Woodsy in its collection.
Once logged in, a prompt should appear confirming the Sidekick has been added to the locker. If it doesn’t show up right away, head to the locker and filter by Sidekicks. From there, players can customize its appearance and equip it for Battle Royale or LEGO ‘Fortnite.’
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For those who missed the Chapter 1 Season 8 Battle Pass, there is still a way. The Woodsy Sidekick will eventually appear in the Item Shop for 1,200 V-Bucks, giving everyone else a chance to grab the companion later this season.
What Rewards Can You Unlock With Woodsy?
Like other Sidekicks in ‘Fortnite,’ Woodsy comes with its own set of reward quests. Completing them unlocks additional cosmetics and styles tied to the companion. The rewards include Cap’n Crossbones for completing one quest, Pirate Playtime for three, and Shanty Step for completing four.
To progress through these quests, players need to earn Sidekick Points. These are earned by playing compatible experiences like Battle Royale, Zero Build, and LEGO ‘Fortnite‘ with Woodsy equipped. The more time spent with the Sidekick, the faster the points accumulate.
Woodsy is the latest in a growing line of pet-to-Sidekick conversions by Epic. Free Sidekicks for Bonesy, Remus, and Kitsune have already been sent out to players who owned those original back blings. With several more pet back blings still in the catalog, more free conversions are expected soon.
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Players must keep in mind that sidekicks are purely cosmetic companions that react to the world around you but will not detect enemies or items. In Battle Royale, only your team can see your Sidekick. They add personality to every match without affecting gameplay in any way.
