Fortnite Treasure Hunters begins November 1 at 09:00 ET, which is 14:00 UTC after the US daylight-saving change. Epic's new season sends players to Crossbones Isle, an 80-player pirate map with One Piece abilities and a changing lineup of visiting captains.
If you want a particular character, check where its outfit is sold before buying a pass. Epic places Portgas D. Ace and Nico Robin in the Battle Pass, while Luffy, Nami and Usopp arrive in the Item Shop at launch. Playing with a themed ability and owning a character outfit are different parts of the season.
Explore the island before choosing what to buy
The season announcement introduces locations including Arlong Park and Windmill Village. Its gameplay additions include the Gum-Gum Fruit and Zoro's Three Sword Style. Epic also describes A$AP Rocky's battleship location and Shock Rocket, giving the island more than a cosmetic theme.
The official gameplay trailer is a useful preview of those locations and mechanics:
Watch it as a preview of how the season looks, then use the game itself to learn weapon handling and routes. The trailer does not replace mode-specific rules or a few practice matches with the new equipment.
If you are returning after a break, start by checking the playlist and reading the current quests. That is a more reliable way to decide what to work on than building a shopping list from the trailer alone. Buying an outfit should be a choice about what you want to wear, not a shortcut you assume is required to try a seasonal mechanic.
The pass and shop have different character lineups
The pass includes Ace and Robin alongside anime-styled versions of existing Fortnite characters. The shop follows its own release schedule. If one particular character is your reason to spend, check that character's listing and the checkout price in your region when it becomes available.
Keep a budget for the item you actually want. Buying a pass because it shares the same franchise name as a shop outfit can leave you with a purchase that does not answer your original goal. Likewise, a character appearing in seasonal promotion does not mean every associated cosmetic is included together.
Fortnite's October teaser set up the November 1 launch; it is dated October 24:
Read the gifting requirements before chasing the bonus style
Epic advertises a bonus Dark Kawaii Team Leader Outfit style for both players when someone gifts the Battle Pass. Before paying, read the gifting support rules. Two-factor authentication is required, the sender must be at least level 2, and the recipient must have been on their Friends list for at least two days.
Pass gifting uses a real-money purchase; a pass bought with V-Bucks cannot simply be passed along afterward. Epic also says gifts are non-refundable. Confirm the recipient's Epic display name at checkout, especially when several friends use similar names or change names between platforms.
Your friend needs to log in to receive a gift, and a negative V-Bucks balance can affect eligibility. Pass gifting is turned off toward the season's end. These general restrictions matter if you are planning to wait: check the actual gifting option before treating a future purchase as guaranteed.
Consider the bonus alongside a pass you already want to give. Check the final amount and recipient before confirming; Epic's non-refundable gift rule still applies.
Plan around the new season's own schedule
Epic lists additional Captain's Days during November and flags December 5 for a Chapter 7 end event. Those are separate calendar entries; do not read the end-event teaser as the closing time for every quest or shop item. Use each item's timer when planning a return session.
The November 1 start time also falls on the US clock-change date. The 14:00 UTC conversion applies to the announced 09:00 Eastern start. If you keep reminders in another timezone, enter the dated event rather than relying on a fixed summer offset.
Our Fortnite Reload objective guide covers a separate mode's Hunt modifier. Check your selected mode before applying older challenge instructions to the new Battle Royale island.
Frequently asked questions
When does Fortnite Treasure Hunters start?
Epic gives November 1 at 09:00 ET, which converts to 14:00 UTC on that date.
Is Luffy included in the Battle Pass?
Epic places Luffy in the shop at launch. Ace and Robin are named in the pass lineup.
What is the new map?
Crossbones Isle is the new 80-player island described in the season announcement.
Can I gift a pass I bought with V-Bucks?
Epic says passes purchased with V-Bucks cannot be gifted; pass gifting uses a real-money transaction and eligibility requirements apply.
