Epic Games has announced MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani as the newest addition to Fortnite's Icon Series. Players will be able to step up to the plate as the Los Angeles Dodgers phenom starting March 17, 2025, at 8 PM ET when his outfits and accessories hit the Item Shop. Competitive players can also earn some of the items early by participating in the Shohei Ohtani Cup tournament on March 15.
Two Ohtani Outfits Bring Baseball to the Battle Royale
The collaboration offers players two distinct Ohtani outfits to choose from. The standard Shohei Ohtani Outfit features the two-way star in his Dodgers uniform with three style options: white for home games, grey for away games, and a LEGO Style for use in Fortnite's LEGO mode. This outfit comes with the Decoy Back Bling (a bobblehead based on Shohei's dog) and the Trusty Two-Way Pickaxe (based on a pitching machine).
For players looking for something more dynamic, the Samurai Shohei Outfit offers a reactive experience where Ohtani's pitching arm becomes fiery after eliminations in a match. This outfit pairs with the reactive Samurai Screamer Back Bling and the Baseball Batana Pickaxe. Like the standard outfit, it also comes with a LEGO Style for LEGO Fortnite.
Baseball-Themed Emotes Complete the Package
The collaboration also includes two baseball-themed emotes. The Doggy Dingers Emote shows off Ohtani's batting form as the Decoy bobblehead throws balls for him to hit, while the Hey Batter Batter Emote features Shohei's signature "magic wand" routine. All items will be available individually or as part of the complete Shohei Ohtani Bundle.
How Can I Get the Shohei Ohtani Items Early?
Competitive players can participate in the Shohei Ohtani Cup on March 15, 2025, for a chance to earn the Samurai Shohei Outfit and accessories before they hit the Item Shop. This Solo Battle Royale tournament allows participants to play up to ten matches within a three-hour window, with points awarded based on placement and eliminations.
To participate, players must have Two-Factor Authentication enabled and be at Account Level 50 or above. The tournament's scoring system rewards both eliminations and high placement, with the following point structure:
| Match Placement | Points |
|---|---|
| Victory Royale | 60 points |
| 2nd | 53 points |
| 3rd | 49 points |
| 4th | 47 points |
| 5th | 46 points |
| 6th-50th | Decreasing points |
| Each Elimination | Points |
|---|---|
| Per elimination | 2 points |
Full tournament details and eligibility requirements can be found in the Shohei Ohtani Cup Official Rules.
Baseball-Themed Week 4 Quests Coming Soon
Starting on March 18, 2025, players can also participate in special baseball-themed Week 4 Quests in Battle Royale. These quests, which will run until the end of Chapter 6 Season 2, are inspired by Ohtani's remarkable "50/50" season and include challenges such as:
- Finish 3 matches in the Top 17
- Eliminate 3 players beyond 50 meters
- Throw 17 items
- Deal 54 damage to opponents with The Kneecapper
- Travel 59 units of distance while sliding continuously
Completing these quests will award XP to help players level up in the Battle Pass and other passes they may own.
The Shohei Ohtani collaboration is the latest addition to Fortnite's Icon Series, which has previously featured celebrities, musicians, and athletes like LeBron James, Ariana Grande, and most recently, Eminem. This marks the first MLB player to join the series, further expanding Fortnite's reach into professional sports.
Will you be stepping up to the plate as Shohei when he arrives in the Item Shop on March 17? Or will you be competing in the Shohei Ohtani Cup to try to unlock his items early? Let us know in the comments!