Fortnite has added another fun Sidekick, and this time it is a raccoon named Jimothy.
The best part is that you don't need to spend V-Bucks to get him. Jimothy can be unlocked for free by completing a small task involving one of the new Sprites added during Fortnitemares 2026.
The tricky part is finding the right Sprite and taking it to the correct extraction point. Here's everything you need to know.
How to Unlock Jimothy in Fortnite
Getting Jimothy is fairly simple once you know what to look for.
You need to find a Dumpster Dive Sprite during a Battle Royale or Zero Build match. After picking one up, take it to an Extraction Site and extract it.
That's the main requirement.
Here's the process step by step:
- Start a Battle Royale or Zero Build match.
- Search the map for a Dumpster Dive Sprite.
- Pick up the Sprite when you find one.
- Take it to an Extraction Site.
- Extract the Sprite.
- Finish the match and return to the lobby.
- Jimothy should then be available in your Locker.
There is one important thing to remember: don't use a Portable Extractor for this quest. The extraction needs to happen at an actual Extraction Site for the task to count.
Where Can You Find the Dumpster Dive Sprite?
This is probably the hardest part of getting Jimothy.
The Dumpster Dive Sprite doesn't simply sit in one fixed location on the map. You may need to search different loot sources during your match.
One option is to look for Pumpkin Chests. These large pumpkin-shaped chests were added as part of the Fortnitemares content and can contain the Dumpster Dive Sprite.
You can also use Cheat Codes to get Sprites. Some Cheat Codes can provide rarer Sprite variants, making them another option if you're having trouble finding one normally.
So, if you're specifically hunting for Jimothy, don't waste an entire match looking in one location. Search for Pumpkin Chests and keep an eye out for other opportunities to obtain a Sprite.
What Happens After You Extract the Sprite?
Once you successfully extract the Dumpster Dive Sprite at an Extraction Site, the Jimothy reward is tied to that completed task.
After finishing the match, return to the Fortnite lobby and check your Locker.
You can then equip Jimothy and bring the little raccoon with you into supported game modes.
The process is a little unusual compared with normal cosmetic rewards, but that's what makes this Sidekick fun to unlock.
What Is Jimothy Like?
Jimothy isn't just another character skin.
He's a Sidekick, meaning the little raccoon follows your character around during gameplay. His animations are a big part of the appeal.
As shown in gameplay footage from creator Tabor Hill, Jimothy has several funny idle behaviors. He can sniff around, sit down and generally behave more like a curious pet than a traditional Fortnite cosmetic.
And yes, the slightly hunched raccoon design makes him look even more like the internet-famous "trash panda" he's based on.
Jimothy is also part of the Jimothy set.
Jimothy's Bonus Cosmetics
Unlocking Jimothy also gives you something else to work toward.
The Sidekick has additional cosmetics that can be earned through Sidekick Points by playing matches with him.
Two of the associated rewards are:
- Jimothy Heart — Emoticon
- Celebrity Trash Panda — Emote
These rewards give you a little more reason to keep using Jimothy after you've unlocked him.
Can You Customize Jimothy?
Jimothy isn't heavily customizable like some Fortnite characters.
Instead, much of his personality comes from his animations and the way he behaves while accompanying your character.
That's arguably what makes him different from a regular cosmetic. You can actually see him hanging around during a match rather than simply having another item equipped.
Is Jimothy Free?
Yes. Jimothy can be obtained without spending V-Bucks by completing the Sprite extraction task.
He was introduced with the Fortnitemares 2026 update, and the current availability window runs through the end of the event on October 31, 2026.
Since Fortnite's event rewards can change or disappear when an event ends, it's better to unlock Jimothy while the quest is available rather than assuming he'll eventually show up in the Item Shop.
Jimothy is one of those Fortnite rewards that's worth grabbing simply because of how different it feels from a normal cosmetic.
You don't have to buy him. Instead, you have to find a Dumpster Dive Sprite, get it to an Extraction Site and complete the extraction. Once that's done, the raccoon becomes your new Sidekick.
The only annoying part is finding the Sprite in the first place. If you're struggling, start checking Pumpkin Chests and consider using Cheat Codes to increase your chances of finding one.
Once you've got Jimothy, though, the little raccoon does the rest. From sniffing around to sitting like a dog, he's basically a tiny trash panda following you through Fortnite matches.
