The Fish Stick Pickaxe is one of the most talked-about free rewards in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, and the good news is that any player can unlock it without spending a single V-Buck. The key is the new Rivalries system, which rewards you for hunting down a specific enemy each match and climbing through a progression of ranks. Whether you're a Fish Stick fan or just love free cosmetics, this guide breaks down exactly what you need to do.
What Is the Rivalries System in Fortnite?
Introduced in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, Rivalries is a seasonal mechanic that assigns you a specific enemy player to track down on the map. Every time you successfully win a Rivalry by eliminating or outperforming your assigned rival, you earn Rival Credits and progress toward higher Rivalry Ranks. The system is designed to add a personal stakes element to each match, turning random opponents into named targets.
Your Rivalry Rank climbs as you accumulate Rivalry wins. Higher ranks unlock additional perks at the Rivalry Vending Station, a special in-match vendor that offers weapons, services, and upgrades purchased with Rival Credits. Reaching certain rank thresholds also unlocks free cosmetic rewards, with the Fish Stick Pickaxe being the standout prize.
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The Rivalries tutorial quest at the start of the season rewards a bonus 30,000 XP just for starting a match and winning one Rivalry. Complete this first before anything else.How to Get the Free Fish Stick Pickaxe
The Fish Stick Pickaxe unlocks automatically once you have recorded 30 Rivalry wins. There is no additional purchase or quest required at that point. The pickaxe is part of the Fish Food cosmetic set, so it pairs naturally with the classic Fish Stick skin.
Here is a full breakdown of every Rivalry Rank unlock, so you know exactly what you are working toward along the way:
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Rivalry Rank is separate from your Battle Pass level. Winning Rivalries increases your rank, but it does not directly grant Battle Pass XP. You need to complete Daily Rivalry Quests for that.
Rivalry Rank reward screen
What Are the Daily Rivalry Quests?
Epic Games added Daily Rivalry Quests that refresh every day at 6 AM ET. These quests do not raise your Rivalry Rank directly, but they are your best source of bonus XP for leveling up the Chapter 7 Season 2 Battle Pass. Here is every quest and its reward:
Completing all three daily quests to trigger the Bonus Goal nets you 25,000 XP in a single day. Stack that with the 30,000 XP tutorial bonus early in the season and you have a strong head start on Battle Pass progression.
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Prioritize the "Win a Rivalry" and "Complete Rivalries (3)" quests in the same session since winning counts toward completing a Rivalry too.
How to Win Rivalries Faster
Reaching 30 Rivalry wins takes consistent effort, but a few habits will get you there much faster.
Identify Your Rival Early
At the start of each match, check your assigned rival's location relative to your drop point. Landing near your rival gives you the best chance to engage early and secure the win before another player eliminates them.
Use the Rivalry Vending Station Wisely
Once you unlock the Upgrade Bench service at Rank 2 (after just 2 wins), you can spend Rival Credits to upgrade your weapons mid-match. This is a direct power boost that makes winning your Rivalry far more likely. At Rank 5 and Rank 20, you gain access to Exotic Weapons through the vending station, which can swing close fights in your favor.
Stack Quests and Rank Progression Together
Every match where you win a Rivalry counts toward both your rank and the daily quest. Plan your sessions around the daily quest list so no effort goes to waste.
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Daily Rivalry Quests reset at 6 AM ET each day. If you finish all three quests early, log back in the next day to claim a fresh set rather than grinding matches without quest progress.
For players who want to keep building their Fortnite knowledge beyond Rivalries, you can browse more guides covering everything from seasonal events to loadout tips.