The Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick is one of the final cosmetics to land in Fortnite before Fortnitemares 2026 wraps up. It costs 1,200 V-Bucks, sits in the Locker of Horrors section of the Item Shop, and comes with a four-stage bonus reward track. The window is short: it leaves on October 27, 2026, at 8 PM ET. Here's everything you need to know before you spend.
Jack-O'-Cat in Locker of Horrors
What is the Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick?
Jack-O'-Cat is an Uncommon Sidekick from the Nitemare Cat set, introduced in Chapter 7, Season 4. Its official description from Epic is short and accurate: "Pumpkinheaded purr-fection." The design puts a carved jack-o'-lantern head on a cat, which draws obvious comparisons to the Sugar outfit that shares the same pumpkin aesthetic.
One thing that catches people off guard: Jack-O'-Cat is not bundled with Sugar or any other item. It's a standalone purchase. No bundle discount, no outfit included.
Sidekicks in Fortnite are companion cosmetics, not gameplay tools. They react to the world around them but don't detect enemies or items. In Battle Royale, only your own team sees your Sidekick, so the visual payoff is mostly personal.
Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick price and Item Shop details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | 1,200 V-Bucks |
| Item Shop section | Locker of Horrors |
| Rarity | Uncommon Sidekick |
| Set | Nitemare Cat |
| Season | Chapter 7, Season 4 |
| Released | October 20, 2026, 8 PM ET |
| Leaves Item Shop | October 27, 2026, 8 PM ET |
| Bundle | No, sold standalone |
| Bonus rewards | 4 items via Sidekick Points |
How to buy the Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick
The purchase itself takes under a minute. Here's the exact path:
- Open the Item Shop from the Fortnite main lobby.
- Navigate to the Locker of Horrors tab. It's easy to scroll past the featured items at the top and miss the section entirely.
- Select Jack-O'-Cat to open its card. The 1,200 V-Bucks price appears under the name alongside the set and season info.
- Click and hold the Purchase button until the circle fills completely. Releasing early cancels the transaction.
- Confirm the purchase. Fortnite deducts the V-Bucks and adds the Sidekick to your Locker.
- Open your Locker, find Jack-O'-Cat, and equip it. Your Sidekick Points start accumulating from your next match.
What bonus rewards do you get from Jack-O'-Cat?
Buying the Sidekick unlocks a four-stage Sidekick Points track. You earn Sidekick Points by playing compatible Fortnite experiences with the Sidekick equipped, and each completed stage pays out a free cosmetic.
| Reward | Type |
|---|---|
| Sweet Fish | Emoticon |
| Pumpkin Heart | Reaction |
| Jack-O'-Cat (Candy) | Style |
| Midnight Meow | Emote |
The Candy style is the most visible reward since it changes how your Sidekick looks to your teammates. The Midnight Meow emote lands last and is the one most players are chasing. You can track your progress by opening the Jack-O'-Cat card in the Item Shop and tapping the Customization icon.
How do you earn Sidekick Points fast?
The system is straightforward but has a few rules worth knowing:
- Compatible modes are Battle Royale, Zero Build, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival. Any mode outside that list earns nothing.
- Points only accumulate while the Sidekick is equipped for the entire match. A Sidekick sitting in your Locker earns zero.
- Check your progress in the Quests tab for a running total, or in the Item Shop on the Jack-O'-Cat card under the Customization icon.
- The track has four stages total, so it fills faster than longer reward systems.
Should you buy Jack-O'-Cat now or wait?
Two things pull in opposite directions here. Jack-O'-Cat is one of the last Sidekicks added during Fortnitemares 2026, and themed items start rotating out as the Halloween content winds down. If you want it before the seasonal window closes, October 27 at 8 PM ET is the hard deadline.
On the other hand, this is the Sidekick's first appearance in the shop. When it reruns, the price stays at 1,200 V-Bucks. Waiting costs nothing except time, and you avoid the pressure of a countdown.
| Factor | Now | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 1,200 V-Bucks | 1,200 V-Bucks |
| Availability | Until Oct 27, 2026 | Unknown rerun date |
| Fortnitemares context | Active | Ended |
| Permanent appearance risk | Same | Same |
The permanent appearance lock is the real sticking point. If you're not certain about the look you want, a rerun gives you time to think without any financial penalty.
Free Sidekick alternatives worth considering
If 1,200 V-Bucks feels steep for a cosmetic companion with no gameplay function, the free routes are genuinely good. Extracting a Dumpster Dive Sprite in any match unlocks the Jimothy the Raccoon Sidekick permanently, complete with its own bonus reward track. Check out the full Jimothy the Raccoon Sidekick guide for the exact steps.
The Panda Team Jr Sidekick is another free option that requires no V-Bucks at all, just completing four Cuddles and Chaos quests. If you'd rather spend V-Bucks on something with more visual impact, the Fancy Ragdoll Sidekick costs 1,200 V-Bucks and comes with its own bonus rewards and customization options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick cost in Fortnite?
Jack-O'-Cat costs 1,200 V-Bucks in the Fortnite Item Shop. It's sold as a standalone item with no bundle attached.
When does the Jack-O'-Cat Sidekick leave the Item Shop?
It leaves on October 27, 2026, at 8 PM ET. That's the same time as the daily Item Shop reset.
Is Jack-O'-Cat part of a bundle with the Sugar outfit?
No. Despite both wearing pumpkin heads, Jack-O'-Cat and Sugar are separate items. The Sidekick is a standalone purchase.
Can you earn Sidekick Points in any mode?
Only in compatible modes: Battle Royale, Zero Build, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival. Other modes don't count toward the track.
What's the last reward on the Jack-O'-Cat track?
The final reward is the Midnight Meow emote. The full track also includes the Sweet Fish emoticon, Pumpkin Heart reaction, and Jack-O'-Cat (Candy) style.
For more Fortnite cosmetic guides and seasonal content, browse the full Fortnite guides collection.
