I opened Fortnite at 8 PM and there it was: a tiny pumpkin-headed cat glaring up from the Item Shop like it owned the server. My heart flipped—because you either grab these seasonal pets now or watch your friends parade them later. I hesitated, then started a checklist.
Fortnite Jack-O’-Cat Sidekick: How to Get It and Price
On release night the Item Shop felt oddly familiar, as if a neighborhood deli had swapped its neon sign for jack-o’-lanterns. Epic Games dropped the Jack-O’-Cat Sidekick during the Fortnitemares 2026 reset on October 20, 2026 at 8 PM ET. The Sidekick is priced at 1,500 V-Bucks, which is about $11.99 (€11). Think of that cost like a small seasonal splurge that either makes your locker sing or sits there until the next cosmetic cycle.
- Open Fortnite and head to the Item Shop.
- Go to the Locker of Horrors section where Jack-O’-Cat appears.
- Select Jack-O’-Cat and confirm the purchase for 1,500 V-Bucks ($11.99/€11).
- Press and hold the Purchase button until the confirmation circle fills.
- Fortnite will add the Sidekick to your locker—then equip it and play to earn Sidekick Points.
How much does Jack-O’-Cat cost?
The Item Shop lists Jack-O’-Cat at 1,500 V-Bucks, which translates to roughly $11.99 (€11). If you buy V-Bucks through the Epic Games store, remember to check whether a bundle gives extra value—creators on YouTube and Twitch (think SypherPK-style breakdowns) often point out the best V-Bucks deals before big events.
When was Jack-O’-Cat released?
It arrived with the Fortnitemares reset on October 20, 2026 at 8 PM ET. If you follow Fortnite creators or Epic’s Twitter/X posts, you’ll usually see the Item Shop reveal within minutes of the reset.
When does Jack-O’-Cat leave the Item Shop?
The Sidekick exits the shop on October 27, 2026 at 8 PM ET, so you have about a week from release to decide. That scarcity fuels purchases—seasonal skins and pets often return, but not always on the same schedule.
What you get beyond the pet
I played a handful of matches with Jack-O’-Cat and watched the Sidekick Points tick up—small rewards stack fast if you treat it like a short campaign. Sidekick Points grant these bonus cosmetics:
| Cosmetic Name | Cosmetic Type |
|---|---|
| Sweet Fish | Emoticon |
| Pumpkin Heart | Reaction |
| Jack-O’-Cat (Candy) | Style |
| Midnight Meow | Emote |
If you prefer free pets, I recommend grabbing the Jimothy Sidekick by extracting a Dumpster Dive Sprite in Fortnite—it’s a raccoon you can keep without spending V-Bucks. Between purchase strategy and event freebies, your locker can look curated without breaking the bank.
Should you buy it now or wait?
At midnight the shop changes and FOMO kicks in like a streetlight switching on. Here’s how I think about it: if you want the pet immediately and you play a lot, buy it. If you’re saving V-Bucks for a skin drop from a favorite creator or a rumored collab, you can probably wait—Epic cycles these pets back through the Item Shop.
Two quick rules I use: follow reliable creators for Item Shop calls, and check V-Bucks bundle value before buying. Buying now gives you instant possession and the Sidekick Points grind; waiting risks the same cost later but preserves currency for surprises in November.
Are you snagging Jack-O’-Cat this week or letting the pumpkin cat haunt someone else’s locker?