Fortnite is turning Empress, a popular pet Back Bling, into a Sidekick this week. Epic Games has revealed the release date of the iconic pet, showing when players will be able to grab it from the Item Shop. Some players will also receive the Sidekick for free, which has happened a few times in the past.

In this article, we take a closer look at the upcoming Fortnite Sidekick, its release date, and who can get it for free. The release is right around the corner, and eligible players will automatically receive the pet.

How to get the Empress Sidekick for free in Fortnite?

Unlike other pet back blings in Fortnite, Empress was available exclusively from the Item Shop. The other pets were featured in seasonal passes, yet players who wanted to carry this adorable cat had to spend 1,000 V-Bucks. At the time, this price felt high, but that perception has since changed.

Empress has become one of the rarest cosmetics in Fortnite, having been out on only eight separate occasions. On top of this, many reputable leakers claim that its OG owners will receive the Empress Sidekick for free shortly before it comes out.

The pet was released on March 15, 2019, and it remained in the shop for only a day. It was last available in October 2024, although there is a chance that Epic Games will unvault it with the Sidekick’s release.

The Empress Sidekick will come to Fortnite on Saturday, March 21. Its price is currently unknown, but we expect it to cost at least 1,500 V-Bucks. Players who own the back bling should receive it approximately 24 hours before, as this has been the case in the past with previous Sidekicks.

At the moment, it’s unknown if the Sidekick will be granted only to those who purchased Empress in 2019. While this is the most likely outcome, there is a chance that Epic will grant the new cosmetic item to everyone who already owns the back bling.

In the meantime, players can grab a few free Fortnite skins or jump into some of the best XP maps to level up the new Battle Pass faster.