The Fortnitemares event is live in Fortnite, and Week 1 drops a straightforward but easy-to-miss quest: deal 500 damage to opponents using the Bonerattler SMG. The gun is brand new to the loot pool, added specifically for the 2026 Halloween update, and the good news is it's far easier to track down than most seasonal weapons.
Where to find the Bonerattler SMG in Fortnite
The Bonerattler SMG sits at common rarity, which means it shows up in the general loot pool rather than being locked behind boss drops or rare chest types. You can pick one up from ground loot, standard chests, or by looting fallen players.
After testing multiple drops across the revised Fortnite map, the weapon appeared consistently in all three ways. Ground loot is the fastest route if you want to grab one immediately after landing. Drop into a busy named location, scan the floor, and you'll likely have one before the first circle closes.
How to complete the Bonerattler SMG damage quest
The quest asks you to deal 500 cumulative damage using the Bonerattler SMG. That total carries across multiple matches, so you don't need to pull it off in a single game.
AI soldiers count toward the 500 damage total, not just real players. If you find player-versus-player combat unreliable for stacking damage, head toward areas with NPC guards and unload on them instead. The quest doesn't distinguish between sources.
Fortnite Guide: How to Damage Opponents Fast with Bonerattler SMG
How to deal damage faster with the Bonerattler SMG
The base common rarity version gets the job done, but upgrading it speeds things up considerably. Two options are worth knowing:
- Find a higher rarity version as floor loot or from chests. Rare and Epic variants deal more damage per shot, cutting the grind time.
- Use a vending machine to upgrade the rarity of the Bonerattler you already have. Spend the resources, bump the tier, and your damage output increases immediately.
For players who enjoy the more creative side of Fortnite's seasonal quests, the Seven Sliders sliding damage quest follows a similar structure of stacking cumulative damage with a specific mechanic.
What rewards do you get for completing the quest?
Finishing the Bonerattler SMG damage quest earns 15,000 XP. That XP also counts toward the broader Fortnitemares seasonal quest chain, which unlocks larger rewards as you complete more challenges throughout the event.
Fortnitemares runs for the full month leading up to Halloween, so there's no rush to finish Week 1 immediately, but getting the Bonerattler quest done early frees you up for the collabs and new content rolling out on the Fortnitemares roadmap.
For more seasonal content and event strategies, browse the full Fortnite strategy guides collection on GAMES.GG.