Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, titled Showdown, arrived with one of the most personal mechanics the battle royale has ever introduced. Instead of just surviving the storm and picking off random opponents, you now have a designated target painted on your map at all times. The Rivalry system turns every match into a personal grudge match, and the rewards for winning those grudge matches are genuinely worth chasing. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of it.
Rivalry Screen map location
What Is the Rivalry System in Fortnite Showdown?
The Rivalry system is a brand-new mechanic introduced in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2. Think of it as a spiritual successor to the old Bounties feature from previous seasons, but with a much tighter personal focus. When a Rivalry is active, both you and your designated Rival can see each other's general position on the map through a red zone indicator, making the hunt feel intentional rather than accidental.
According to the Chapter 7 Season 2 patch notes, the Rivalry mechanic is one of the headline additions this season, designed to create persistent one-on-one tension across multiple matches. Eliminations and damage dealt are tracked between players over time, so the system naturally surfaces opponents you have unfinished business with.
During the opening days of the season, Epic Games automatically assigns a Rival to every player shortly after a match begins. Later in the season, a Rematch button will be added, letting you queue into a new match specifically with players who have also opted in for a rematch.
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The more Rivalry Screens you engage with, the more frequently you will appear as a Rival for other players. Skip consecutive screens and you will be targeted less often, which also means fewer chances to earn Rival Credits.
How to Start and Complete a Rivalry
Rivalry Screens are marked on the map with a sword icon, so finding them is straightforward. Once you reach one, you can either trigger a Rivalry yourself or become the target of another player who has started one.
Here is the step-by-step flow:
- Navigate to a Rivalry Screen (sword icon on the map).
- Activate the screen to designate a Rival, or wait to be selected as one.
- Both players' locations are revealed to each other via a red zone on the map.
- Eliminate your Rival to complete the Rivalry and drop a Rivalry Contract.
- Pick up the Rivalry Contract to receive your Rival Credits.
What Happens If Your Rival Gets Eliminated by Someone Else?
This is where it gets interesting. If another player takes out your Rival before you do, that player drops the Rivalry Contract on the ground. Reach it first and the elimination credit transfers to you, keeping your streak alive. If another player grabs the contract before you, they become your new Rival target for the rest of that match.
What Happens When You Get Rebooted?
If you are eliminated and then rebooted by a teammate, the player who knocked you out automatically becomes your new Rival. Eliminating them after a reboot awards double the Rival Credits, making comebacks genuinely rewarding.
Grab the Rivalry Contract fast
How Do Rival Credits Work?
Rival Credits are the currency that makes the whole system tick. Unlike most in-match resources, Rival Credits do not reset between matches. They carry over from game to game, so you can steadily accumulate them across multiple sessions and then spend a large sum in a single match when you are ready.
There are 20 Rivalry Ranks to progress through. Higher ranks unlock better items at Rivalry Vending Machines, so there is a real incentive to keep competing and climbing rather than spending everything at once.
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Not every item at the Rivalry Vending Machines is available from the start. Each item has a required number of Rival Wins to unlock, which is displayed when you inspect the item. Grind the wins first, then spend your credits on the best gear.Where to Spend Rival Credits: Rivalry Vending Machines Explained
Rivalry Vending Machines are located at or near Rivalry Screens across the map. When you arrive at one, you will find two distinct machines to choose from:
The Rivalry Weapon Machine is your go-to if you want to push for a Victory Royale with top-tier firepower. The chance at two Exotic Weapons in a single stop makes it worth visiting early. The Rivalry Gear Machine shines for utility players who want the XP boost or the ability to mark enemies they damage, turning information into an advantage.
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The once-a-day XP bundle from the Rivalry Gear Machine resets on a daily basis. If you are grinding XP efficiently, plan your sessions around claiming it every day rather than skipping days.
Rivalry Weapon Machine rewards
How Does the Showdown Track Work?
Rivalries are not just personal, they feed into a community-wide competition between Team Foundation and Team Ice King. Every Rivalry you complete adds a point to whichever team you pledged allegiance to when you first loaded into Fortnite Showdown.
As the collective rivalry count climbs, both teams unlock new content and items that drop into the game for everyone. This is a season-long, community-driven event, and the team that accumulates the most completed Rivalries by the end of the season earns an exclusive additional style for either The Foundation or the Ice King skin.
Act I Showdown Track Rewards
Team Foundation unlocks:
- Seven Power Gloves
- Slapperoni Pizza
- Stabilize the Rift Anomaly
- Enhanced Harpoon Gun
- Ice King's Vault Key
Team Ice King unlocks:
- Ice King's Gauntlets
- Seven Canon
- The Foundation's Rift Rifle
- Golden Fishing Spots
- Seven Compound Vault Key
The rewards list confirms that both teams get access to items inspired by the opposing faction, which is a clever way to keep the competition feeling balanced regardless of which side you pick.
Showdown Track team rewards
What Are the Best Ways to Farm Rival Credits Fast?
After testing the system across multiple matches, a few strategies stand out for efficient credit farming:
- Prioritize reboots. Getting eliminated and then rebooted gives you a Rival who awards double credits on elimination. Play with a coordinated squad and use this intentionally.
- Don't skip Rivalry Screens. Every screen you engage with increases how often you appear as a target, creating more opportunities for two-way rivalry farming.
- Save credits for high-rank unlocks. Since credits persist between matches, resist the temptation to spend on low-rank items. Hold out for Exotic Weapons or the best Gear Machine perks.
- Chase dropped Rivalry Contracts. When your Rival is eliminated by someone else, sprinting to the contract first keeps your credit chain unbroken.
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According to the Fortnite Wiki patch notes history, major new mechanics like the Rivalry system are typically refined with balance patches throughout the season. Keep an eye on updates as Epic Games may adjust credit rates or unlock requirements.Real-World Prizes and the Bigger Picture
Beyond in-game loot, Fortnite Showdown also ties into real-world prize competitions. Players can participate for a chance at physical rewards through the official Showdown event page. The in-game Rivalry system feeds directly into that competitive ecosystem, making every elimination feel like it carries genuine stakes.
For players who want to stay on top of every update and new mechanic as the season evolves, browse more guides and gaming news to keep your edge sharp throughout Showdown and beyond.