At a glance
The interesting part is how The Hunt keeps moving. Eliminate the player marked for you and Kado grants a reward. A new target appears when the next Storm Circle begins, so the bounty can change more than once in a match. This guide covers the new island, the Squid Grounds dates and the cosmetics tied to ranked play.
Kado's Curse changes Nitemare Island
Epic's Reload team says Kado Thorne has taken over Nitemare Island. The October 8 update changed existing points of interest, added landmarks and introduced new weapons that use Siphon. Players can find Kado inside Terror Turrets and interact with him to learn why he has returned. The island also brings back the Fortnitemares setting to Reload, separate from the main Battle Royale event.
The Hunt is the update's most unusual addition. It can activate when you land on Nitemare Island and mark an opponent. Eliminate that player to earn a reward chosen by Kado. When another Storm Circle begins, the game assigns a new mark. You will need to keep an eye on the target indicator as well as your squad and the shrinking safe zone.
Epic has not published a complete reward list for each elimination, so there is no reliable way to say what Kado will grant in every match. The developer describes the reward as being chosen by Kado. Check the live match and the in-game interface for the item you receive rather than relying on a fixed loot list from an unofficial guide.
Squid Grounds returns October 15
Nitemare Island entered the Ranked and Unranked map rotations alongside Stranger Things and Surf City. Epic says Squid Grounds will return shortly afterward, replacing Surf City. A dedicated Squid Grounds weekend is scheduled for October 15 through October 19, 2026. The announcement does not specify a start or end time, so treat those as calendar dates and check the Reload playlist in game for the active rotation.
There was a temporary issue with the Stranger Things map, which Epic says has since returned to rotation. If you saw an earlier notice that it had been swapped for Oasis, that notice is now outdated. The current post's edit confirms Stranger Things is back.
Squid Grounds is the date to put on your calendar. Check the Reload playlist during October 15 to 19 if you want to play it, since Epic has not said how long the map will remain after the weekend. The announcement also gives no end date for Kado's Curse or the Nitemare Island rotation.
Ranked and quest rewards
Kado's Curse also starts a new Ranked season and a full rank reset. Epic says players can earn Kado Thorne-themed cosmetics by reaching specific Ranked tiers. The Axe of Unreal is reserved for players who reach Unreal rank during the season. The post does not give a deadline or a complete tier-by-tier reward chart, so check the Compete tab for the current cup and rank requirements before planning a grind.
Map Mastery quests have also refreshed with Fortnitemares cosmetics. Epic lists a Kado Thorne Victory Umbrella for earning a Victory Royale in either Ranked or Unranked Reload. The post does not state that every Map Mastery reward is available from the same activity, so read each quest description before choosing a playlist.
Reload Ranked Cups offer another route to the Elite Kado Thorne outfit. Epic says strong tournament placements can secure the outfit early. That is a competitive reward path, not a free outfit available just for logging in. Tournament schedules and eligibility should be checked in the Compete tab, where Fortnite shows the active event details.
What to check before you queue
Update Fortnite, open Reload and confirm which map is in the rotation. For The Hunt, pay attention to the marked target and the area indicator, then expect the mark to change after a Storm Circle. For free cosmetics, look through the Ranked and Map Mastery requirements before starting. Players who only want Squid Grounds should check again between October 15 and 19 because Epic has not supplied exact changeover hours.
The Reload announcement from Epic's team has the current map and reward details. Fortnite has not confirmed a final date for Kado's Curse in that post.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Squid Grounds weekend run in Fortnite Reload?
Epic lists October 15 to 19, 2026. It has not provided changeover times.
What is The Hunt in Nitemare Island?
It is a match modifier that marks an opponent. Eliminating that mark earns a reward, and a new mark appears at the start of each Storm Circle.
How can players earn the Kado Thorne Victory Umbrella?
Epic says a Victory Royale in Ranked or Unranked Reload earns the umbrella through refreshed Map Mastery quests.
When does Kado's Curse end?
Epic has not announced an end date for the wider Kado's Curse update.
