Can you use Fortnite trading cards to buy skins for free? Explained

Trading cards are a fad right now, and fans are curious if Fortnite trading cards are also worth something. Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards are already selling for thousands of dollars, but Loopers are focused entirely on something else. In fact, instead of money, they usually wonder if they can use the cards to get free skins.

Epic Games offers several out-of-game items that players can use to buy skins in the Battle Royale game. Gift cards can be used to exchange for V-Bucks, or collaboration items such as consoles and comic books can also be used to redeem special skins. Naturally, trading cards also seem like something that can be used to get free skins.

V-Bucks gift cards (Image via Epic Games)

Unfortunately, Fortnite trading cards offer nothing inside the game. They can be used to play interesting games. However, they do not come with codes that players can use to redeem free cosmetics in the game. They're simply collectibles and are made to trade.

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How much are Fortnite trading cards worth?

For the uninitiated, Epic Games partnered up with Panini to roll out official trading cards for its Battle Royale game. Several cards and expansion sets have been released so far, and they are called 'Series'. Three different Series of trading cards are available in the market, and fans can grab them to add to their collections. Even though these cards cannot be traded for free skins in the game, they are still worth a lot.

Just like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Fortnite trading cards also come in different rarities. Some of them from Series 1 are the oldest and most rare ones, with an extremely high value. These cards are still not as expensive as other popular trading cards. However, the older they get, their value keeps on increasing slowly.

eBay listing for rare Black Knight trading card (Image via josletoys/eBay)

According to eBay listings, Black Knight cards are the most expensive ones. In fact, a 2019 Panini Fortnite Black Knight #252 Cracked Ice / Crystal Shard card is being sold for $32,999. Other rare cards also sell for hundreds of dollars. Given the popularity of the Battle Royale game, it won't be long before we see the price for these trading cards skyrocket.

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How to use Fortnite trading cards?

Clearly, players cannot redeem the trading cards for free skins. Although fans can come up with fun little games to play with them, they are mostly to collect. However, given the value of some of these, one can just sell them to buy more than a couple of cosmetics. However, the smarter decision would be to hold on to them for a little longer.

Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1 Battle Pass (Image via Epic Games)

Clearly, the value of these cards is going to skyrocket in the long run. The cards that sell for hundreds of dollars right now might sell for thousands in a few months. Naturally, if you managed to get your hands on some rare cards, it's best to preserve their mint condition and wait for the right time to sell them. In the best-case scenario, these trading cards can offer you a lot more than free Fortnite skins.