Epic Games has added the Dart Monkey Sidekick to Fortnite as part of a crossover with the popular tower defense game Bloons TD 6. Players can grab this cosmetic without spending a single V-Buck, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Here is everything you need to know to get the Dart Monkey Sidekick in Fortnite.
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What Is the Dart Monkey Sidekick in Fortnite?
The Dart Monkey Sidekick is a new in-game cosmetic available in Fortnite starting April 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. It comes straight from Ninja Kiwi’s Bloons TD 6, bringing the iconic tower into the Battle Royale island as a companion cosmetic.
Epic Games is running this crossover as a gift-with-purchase promotion, similar to past crossovers like the Super Meat Boy Sidekick. Players who purchase Bloons TD 6 through the Epic Games Store receive the Dart Monkey Sidekick automatically in their Fortnite Locker.
How to Get the Dart Monkey Sidekick for Free
The free method requires purchasing Bloons TD 6 through the Epic Games Store on PC or Android. The game costs $13.99, and the Sidekick gets granted to your Fortnite account automatically once the promotion goes live.
Follow these steps to claim your Dart Monkey Sidekick without spending V-Bucks:
- Open the Epic Games Store on a web browser or the desktop launcher.
- Search for Bloons TD 6 using the search bar.
- Select the game from the results page.
- Purchase Bloons TD 6 for $13.99.
- Launch Fortnite and go to your Locker.
- Filter by Sidekicks to find the Dart Monkey Sidekick waiting in your library.
Already own Bloons TD 6 as a paid purchase? You are automatically eligible. The Dart Monkey Sidekick will appear in your Fortnite Locker on April 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET without any additional steps.
Important Eligibility Rules
- Players who added Bloons TD 6 to their library through a free promotional giveaway do not qualify. A paid purchase is required.
- The offer is available on PC and mobile (Android and iOS) only. Console players can still receive the Sidekick if their console account is linked to their Epic Games account.
- This promotion is limited to one reward per Epic Games account. Buying the game on multiple platforms does not grant a duplicate Sidekick.
How to Buy the Dart Monkey Sidekick in the Item Shop
Players who prefer to skip the Bloons TD 6 purchase can grab the Dart Monkey Sidekick directly from the Fortnite Item Shop for 1,500 V-Bucks (approximately $15.99).
The Sidekick is available in the Item Shop from April 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET to April 29, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. It may return to the shop at a later date.
Here is how to purchase it through the Item Shop:
- Launch Fortnite and open the Item Shop from the top navigation bar.
- Look for the Dart Monkey Sidekick near the top of the featured section.
- Select the Sidekick to open its purchase page.
- Confirm you have at least 1,500 V-Bucks available.
- Press and hold the Purchase button to complete the transaction.
- Head to your Locker and filter by Sidekicks to equip it.
What Happens If You Bought the Sidekick First, Then Buy Bloons TD 6?
Epic has a solution for players who purchased the Dart Monkey Sidekick in the Item Shop and later decide to buy Bloons TD 6. Instead of a duplicate cosmetic, Epic grants a one-time refund of 1,500 V-Bucks directly to your Fortnite account.
Note that this V-Buck refund only applies to Item Shop purchases made within the last 12 months.
Gifting Bloons TD 6 and the Dart Monkey Sidekick
Players who gift Bloons TD 6 to a friend through the Epic Games Store transfer the Sidekick eligibility to the gift recipient. The friend receives the Dart Monkey Sidekick in their Fortnite Locker once they redeem the gift on their Epic account.
The sender does not receive the Sidekick from a gifted purchase. You need to make a separate qualifying purchase on your own Epic account to claim the reward for yourself.
Quick Summary
| Method | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Bloons TD 6 on Epic Games Store | $13.99 | Ongoing |
| Buy in Fortnite Item Shop | 1,500 V-Bucks (~$15.99) | April 23 to April 29, 2026 |
The free route through Bloons TD 6 offers slightly better value since you get both the game and the cosmetic for $13.99, compared to spending $15.99 worth of V-Bucks for the Sidekick alone. That said, the Item Shop option works well for console-only players who want the Sidekick without buying a PC title.
FAQs
Can I get the Dart Monkey Sidekick in Fortnite for free without buying Bloons TD 6?
No. The only free method requires purchasing Bloons TD 6 on the Epic Games Store, which costs $13.99. If you do not want to buy the game, the Dart Monkey Sidekick is available in the Fortnite Item Shop for 1,500 V-Bucks (approximately $15.99) until April 29, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
I got Bloons TD 6 during a free Epic Games giveaway. Do I get the Dart Monkey Sidekick?
No. Epic only grants the Dart Monkey Sidekick to players with a paid purchase on their account. If you added Bloons TD 6 through a free promotional giveaway, you need to make a separate paid purchase of an eligible item on the Epic Games Store to qualify.
Does the Dart Monkey Sidekick work on PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Once you claim the Dart Monkey Sidekick through the Epic Games Store on PC or mobile, it appears in your Fortnite Locker on every platform linked to your Epic account, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Make sure your console account is connected to your Epic Games account in account settings.
What happens if I refund Bloons TD 6 after getting the Dart Monkey Sidekick?
Refunding your Bloons TD 6 purchase removes the Dart Monkey Sidekick from your Fortnite account. If you received a 1,500 V-Buck grant instead (because you already owned the Sidekick from the Item Shop), that grant also gets revoked upon refund.
Will the Dart Monkey Sidekick return to the Fortnite Item Shop after April 29, 2026?
Epic Games has confirmed the Dart Monkey Sidekick may return to the Item Shop at a future date, but no specific date has been announced. If you want it now, you have until April 29, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET to buy it for 1,500 V-Bucks, or purchase Bloons TD 6 on the Epic Games Store while the promotion remains active.
Can I receive the Dart Monkey Sidekick twice by buying Bloons TD 6 on both PC and mobile?
No. Epic limits this promotion to one reward per Epic Games account. Buying Bloons TD 6 or an eligible item on a second platform does not grant a duplicate Sidekick or an extra 1,500 V-Buck refund.
