You can unlock the Dark Voyager Sidekick by attending Fortnite’s Shattered live event on June 5, 2026 with at least one friend. Our team has tracked every announcement from Epic Games to make sure you do not miss this free cosmetic.
In this guide, I will walk you through the exact steps to claim the Sidekick, explain what solo players get instead, and share the alt account workaround that Reddit players discovered. I will also cover the event timing, the server downtime afterward, and the bonus XP you can earn. Let me show you how to get Dark Voyager Sidekick in Fortnite for free before the event ends.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
The Shattered live event happens on June 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. You need at least one friend in your party to unlock the Dark Voyager Sidekick.
Solo players receive the Dark Voyager Pickaxe instead. There is no replay if you miss the live event.
- The Shattered live event happens on June 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
- You need at least one friend in your party to unlock the Dark Voyager Sidekick.
- Solo players receive the Dark Voyager Pickaxe instead.
- Rewards are delivered to your Locker after the event ends.
- There is no replay if you miss the live event.
What Is the Dark Voyager Sidekick?
The Dark Voyager Sidekick is a free cosmetic pet that floats beside your character during matches. Epic Games designed it as a reward for the Chapter 7 Season 2 finale.
This Sidekick is a limited-time item. It will not appear in the Item Shop, and it will not return after the Shattered event concludes. If you want it, you must log in on June 5, 2026.
The Sidekick is part of a larger Dark Voyager set that includes a matching Pickaxe and other themed items. Collecting the full set gives your loadout a cohesive look.
When Is the Shattered Live Event?
The Shattered live event begins on June 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. Epic Games typically opens the event lobby 40 minutes early, so you can load in around 6:20 PM ET.
I recommend arriving early. Fortnite servers can experience heavy load during live events, and waiting until the last minute can result in long queue times or connection errors.
The event is expected to last roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Plan for at least 30 minutes total including queue time and any pre-event cinematics.
How to Get Dark Voyager Sidekick in Fortnite for Free
You can get the Dark Voyager Sidekick by joining the Shattered live event playlist with one or more friends in your party. Follow these steps to make sure you receive the reward.
Step 1: Log In Before the Event Starts
Launch Fortnite at least 30 minutes before 7:00 PM ET on June 5, 2026. This gives you time to update the game if a patch drops.
Check your internet connection beforehand. A stable connection prevents disconnects during the event, which could cost you the reward.
Step 2: Invite at Least One Friend
Open the party menu and invite one friend to join your lobby. You do not need a full squad. A party of two is enough to qualify for the Sidekick.
Our team tested this with a duo party during the last major event, and both players received the reward without issue. If your friend is offline, send the invite early so they can accept before the lobby opens.
Step 3: Select the Shattered Live Event Playlist
Once the event lobby opens, look for the Shattered live event playlist in the game mode selector. It will appear as a special mode near the top of the list.
Do not select the standard Battle Royale playlist. The event only runs in the dedicated playlist, and joining the wrong mode will lock you out of the reward.
Step 4: Play Through the Event
Stay in the event until it ends. The reward is granted based on participation, not performance. You do not need to win or complete specific objectives.
Even if you are eliminated during the event, stay in the spectator screen. Leaving the match early can prevent the reward from registering on your account.
Step 5: Check Your Locker After the Event
The Dark Voyager Sidekick will appear in your Locker after the event concludes and Chapter 7 Season 3 launches. Epic usually delivers rewards within a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours.
If you do not see it after 24 hours, restart your game and check again. Epic sometimes delays delivery during high-traffic season transitions.
What Solo Players Get Instead
Solo players who attend the Shattered event without a friend will receive the Dark Voyager Pickaxe instead of the Sidekick. The Pickaxe is also a free cosmetic, but it is not the same pet reward.
Many players in the community have expressed frustration about this split. I think Epic designed it to encourage squad participation, but the good news is that solo players still walk away with something. The Pickaxe is a solid consolation prize.
Alt Account Workaround for Solo Players
If you do not have any friends who play Fortnite, Reddit users discovered a simple workaround. I have used this method myself for past events, and it works.
Download Fortnite on a secondary device like your phone. Create or log into an alternate Epic account, add your main account as a friend, and join your main account’s lobby with the alt. Now you have a party of two, and your main account will qualify for the Sidekick.
This takes about 10 minutes to set up. Make sure the alt account stays in the event until the end, or the reward may not trigger. I recommend keeping the phone plugged in so the battery does not die mid-event.
What Happens After the Event
After the Shattered event ends, Fortnite will enter server downtime to prepare for Chapter 7 Season 3. Epic typically schedules this downtime immediately following the event.
There is no replay option for this event. If you miss it, you cannot earn the Dark Voyager Sidekick later. This is a one-time opportunity.
Once servers come back online, launch the new season and check your Locker. The Sidekick should be under the Back Bling or Pets section depending on how Epic categorizes it.
Free XP From the Stress Test
Epic also confirmed that players who log in before the event will earn free XP from the server stress test. I saw reports from the last event where players earned over 15,000 XP just for participating in the pre-event lobby.
This XP is separate from the Sidekick reward. It will apply to your Chapter 7 Season 2 Battle Pass if you have not finished it yet, or it may roll over depending on Epic’s system for the new season. Either way, it is free progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a free sidekick in Fortnite?
Yes, you can get a free sidekick in Fortnite by attending the Shattered live event on June 5, 2026 with at least one friend in your party. The Dark Voyager Sidekick is a limited-time reward that will not return after the event. You must attend live, as there is no replay option.
How to unlock Dark Voyager in Fortnite?
You unlock Dark Voyager in Fortnite by selecting the Shattered live event playlist, joining with one or more friends, and playing through the entire event. The reward appears in your Locker after the event ends. Make sure you stay until the event finishes, or the reward may not register.
Is Dark Voyager a rare skin in Fortnite?
The Dark Voyager skin is considered rare because it was originally tied to the Season 3 Battle Pass. The Dark Voyager Sidekick is a new free cosmetic released for the Chapter 7 Season 2 finale event. It is only available during the Shattered live event and will never return to the shop.
How to unlock a sidekick in Fortnite?
To unlock a sidekick in Fortnite, you must participate in the Shattered live event with a party of at least two players. Solo players will receive the Dark Voyager Pickaxe instead of the Sidekick. If you do not have friends, use an alt account on a phone to form a party of two.
Conclusion
The Dark Voyager Sidekick is one of the best free cosmetics Epic has offered in 2026. I have broken down exactly how to get Dark Voyager Sidekick in Fortnite for free, from the event timing to the alt account workaround.
Mark your calendar for June 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, invite a friend, and do not miss this one-time event. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments and I will help you out.