How to Get the Free Rust Bucket Back Bling in Fortnite

The holiday season in Fortnite is always a spectacle, but Winterfest 2025 is proving to be one for the history books. Between the daily presents in the Clawsy Lodge and the introduction of magical Wizarding World cosmetics, Epic Games has kept the community busy. However, for "OG" players and collectors, the biggest surprise isn't a new skin—it’s the return of a legendary relic from 2018: the Rust Bucket Back Bling.Originally released over seven years ago as an apology for server downtime, the Rust Bucket has long been a badge of honor for veteran players. Now, it’s back as a free reward, but there’s a catch. You can’t just find it in a gift box; you have to earn it in the NVIDIA GeForce RTX Cup. This guide will walk you through exactly how to secure this rare item on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Mobile.

Why the Rust Bucket is Back (and Why It’s Hard to Get)

The return of the Rust Bucket is tied to a massive partnership between Epic Games and NVIDIA to celebrate the launch of the RTX 50-series GPUs. While the back bling is technically "free," it is locked behind a competitive tournament wall.Many players are finding the tournament "locked" in their Compete Tab. This isn't a bug; it’s due to the high eligibility bar Epic has set for this specific event. Because the prize pool includes over $100,000 in cash and custom RTX 5080 GPUs, the requirements are much stricter than a standard community cup.

Possible Causes for "Locked" Tournament Access:

• Rank Requirement: You must have reached Gold Rank or higher in Battle Royale, Zero Build, or Reload Ranked.
• Account Level: Your Epic Account level must be at least 350.
• Tournament History: You must have participated in at least 14 different Epic tournaments in the last 180 days.
• 2FA: Two-Factor Authentication must be enabled on your account.

Quick Solution (For Impatient Players)

If you meet all the requirements, here is the "Too Long; Didn't Read" version:

Go to the Compete Tab on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Select the NVIDIA GeForce RTX Cup (Solos).

Earn 8 Points during the 3-hour session (10 games max).

How to get 8 points fast: Simply get 4 eliminations (2 points each) OR reach Top 40 in a single match (which awards 11 points total).

Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions

To ensure you don’t miss out on this limited-time window, follow these steps to prepare and compete.

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

Check your rank in the lobby. If you are currently Silver or Bronze, you need to grind to Gold I immediately. Fortnite Reload Ranked is often the fastest way to rank up due to the high frequency of combat and placement points. Also, ensure your account level (found in theCareer tab) is 350+.

Step 2: Check the "14 Tournament" Rule

This is the hurdle stopping most casual players. Epic requires a history ofcompetitive play to prevent "smurfing" (pros using alt accounts). To see if you qualify, go to the Compete Tab and click on the NVIDIA Cup icon. If it says "Qualifying Round Required," it likely means you haven't played enough tournaments lately.

• Platform Tip: On console, the Compete Tab can sometimes be slow to update. Restarting your game often clears the "locked" icon if you’ve recently met arequirement.

Step 3: Enable 2FA

If you haven't done this, you won't be allowed to enter any tournament. Head to the Epic Games website, log in, go to Account Settings > Password & Security, and enable Email or App-based 2FA.

Step 4: Join the Session

The tournament starts on December 21, 2025. The exact time depends on your region (e.g., NA Central, Europe, Asia). Check the in-game timer to see exactly when the "Queue Open" messageappears. You have a 3-hour window to play up to 10 matches.

Step 5: Play for Survival (The 8-Point Strategy)

You don’t need to be a pro to get 8 points.

• The "Bush Camper" Method: In a Solo cup, players are very aggressive. If you land at a quiet edge of the map and simply survive until the Top 40, you will earn 11 placement points instantly.
• The "Aggro" Method: If you’re confident, 4 kills will net you the 8 points you need. Each elimination is worth 2 points.

Step 6: Confirm Your Points

Once you hit 8 points, you can technically stop playing. The Rust Bucket Back Bling will be granted to your account once the tournament results are finalized (usually within 24–48 hours after the event ends).

The Points Breakdown

If you’re aiming higher (for the cash prizes or the RTX 5080), here is how the points are distributed:

Action	Points
Elimination	2 Points
Victory Royale	60 Points
11th Place	40 Points
21st Place	30 Points
31st Place	20 Points
50th Place	1 Point

How to Prevent Missing Out on Future Rewards

Missing a tournament because of a rank or "tournament count" requirement isfrustrating. Here is how to stay ready for the next "Legacy" itemreturn:

• Play the "Trash" Cups: Even if you don't care about a specific tournament, join one match, die off spawn, and leave. This counts as one tournament participation toward your 180-day quota.
• Maintain Gold Rank: Try to hit Gold in at least one Ranked mode (Battle Royale or ZeroBuild) every season. This is the standard "entry fee" for most cosmeticcups.
• Check the Compete Tab Weekly: Epic often hides small rewards (sprays, emoticons) in regional cups that are easy to overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Rust Bucket the exact same as the 2018 version?

Yes. This is a rare instance where Epic is re-releasing an "OG" item in itsoriginal form. If you already owned it from 2018, you won't get a"second" one, but you can still compete for the cash prizes and the GPU.

2. Can I play on my phone or Nintendo Switch?

Yes! The NVIDIA GeForce RTX Cup is open to all platforms. However, keep inmind that you will be playing in a "cross-platform" pool, so you’ll beup against PC players with high frame rates. Playing for placement(hiding) is the best strategy for mobile/Switch players.

3. What if I have 8 points but didn't get the item yet?

Don't panic! Tournament rewards are rarely instant. Epic usually processesthe leaderboard and verifies that no cheating occurred before sendingthe rewards to player lockers. Expect to see it by December 23–24.

4. Can I play in multiple regions to get more points?

No. You are locked to the first region you play in for the duration of thecup. Attempting to play in multiple regions can sometimes lead to acompetitive disqualification.

The Rust Bucket return is a brilliant move for Winterfest 2025, bridging the gapbetween Fortnite’s legendary past and its high-tech future. While the14-tournament requirement is a steep barrier for some, the 8-point goalis incredibly achievable for anyone who can make it into the lobby.

Are you going for the Rust Bucket today, or are you aiming for that custom RTX 5080 GPU? Let us know your strategy in the comments! If you found this guidehelpful, be sure to share it with your squad so they don't miss the3-hour window. Good luck on the Island, and may your rotations be safe!

Would you like me to look up the exact start times for your specific region so you don't miss the queue?

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