How to Get the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe for Free in Fortnite

Fortnite isn’t just a battle royale—it’s a digital fashion show where your locker speaks volumes. Among its roster of iconic skins, the vibrant and cheerful Brite Bomber has stood out for years, inspiring a whole family of matching cosmetics. Now, there’s a fresh addition to this beloved set: the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe. The best part? Epic Games is offering it for zero V-Bucks for a limited time.Whether you’re playing on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or even mobile, this guide is for you. The opportunity revolves around a special set of time-limited quests introduced in the latest update. If you’re wondering why you can’t just buy it from the Item Shop, that’s by design. Epic often uses these free, quest-based rewards to encourage specific gameplay, like teaming up in Squads, which boosts player engagement and creates memorable cooperative moments. So, if you want to add this cosmic harvesting tool to your collection without spending a dime, you’ll need to jump through a few hoops—but don’t worry, we’ll make it easy.

Causes of the Problem (Why You Might Be Struggling)

While “problem” might be a strong word, several players have found progressing through the required quests slower than expected. If you’re not seeing your Shiny Llama count climb, here’s why:

• Playing Solo or in Duos: This is the most common hiccup. The quest explicitly requires playing in Squads (teams of three or four). Any other mode won’t count.
• Overlooking Shiny Llamas: These collectibles are small, glowing, and can easily be missed in the heat of battle or the rush to loot.
• Sticking to Low-Action Areas: If you’re landing in remote spots to survive longer, you’ll encounter fewer enemies, rare chests, and bosses—the primary sources of Shiny Llamas.
• Confusing Quests: The new update introduced both Starbrite Smasher Quests and broader Squad Up! Milestone Quests. It’s the Milestone track that grants the pickaxe, not the individual daily-style quests.

Quick Solution (For the Impatient)

To get the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe fast: Jump into Squads mode (any Battle Royale variant), land at hot-drop locations like Grand Glacier or Nitrodrome, and aggressively hunt for eliminations, Rare Chests (gold), Supply Drops, and boss NPCs. Collect the Shiny Llamas they drop until you reach 400. Do this before the quest period ends!

Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions

Follow these steps to efficiently secure your free pickaxe.Step 1: Navigate to the Quest Tab
Boot up Fortnite and from the main lobby, navigate to the Quest tab on the top of your screen. Look for the “Squad Up!” section. Here you’ll see two tracks: the shorter “Starbrite Smasher Quests” and the longer “Squad Up! Milestone Quests.”Step 2: Understand the Milestone Requirements
Your goal is the Milestone track. It has multiple stages:

• Stage 1: Collect 50 Shiny Llamas in Squads.
• Stage 2: Collect 100 Shiny Llamas in Squads.
• Stage 3: Collect 200 Shiny Llamas in Squads.
• Stage 4: Collect 400 Shiny Llamas in Squads. (This rewards the pickaxe)

Step 3: Select the Correct Game Mode
This is crucial. You must queue for a Squads mode. This can be:

• Standard Battle Royale Squads
• Fortnite OG Squads
• Reload Squads
• Blitz Squads
  Playing Solo, Duos, or Team Rumble will not progress your count.

Step 4: Land at High-Loot, High-Action POIs
To maximize efficiency, land at named locations with high-tier loot and lots of players. Recommended spots for Chapter 5 Season 3 include:

• Grand Glacier
• Nitrodrome
• Redline Rig
• Brutal Beachhead
  More players mean more potential eliminations and more contested Rare Chests.

Step 5: Hunt for Shiny Llama Sources
Focus your efforts on these activities:

• Eliminate Players: Every opponent you or your squad defeats has a high chance of dropping a Shiny Llama.
• Open Rare Chests: Seek out the golden-glowing Rare Chests. They guarantee a Llama.
• Call Down and Open Supply Drops: When you hear the plane, go for it! Supply Drops are excellent sources.
• Defeat Boss NPCs: Find and take down hostile bosses like Megalo Don or Ringmaster Scarr.

Step 6: Prioritize Collection
When a Shiny Llama drops, it will glow with a distinctive particle effect.Run over it to collect it immediately. Don’t leave them behind!

Step 7: Check Your Progress Mid-Game
You can check your live progress by opening your map during a match. Yourcurrent Milestone count is displayed in the top-right corner.

Step 8: Rinse and Repeat
A single match won’t be enough. Queue up again, stick to the strategy, and you’ll chip away at the 400 total.

Step 9: Claim Your Reward
Once you hit 400 Shiny Llamas, the final Milestone will complete automatically. Exit to your lobby.

Step 10: Equip Your New Pickaxe
Go to your Locker, find the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe under the Harvesting Tool section, and equip it. Enjoy the satisfying, cosmic sound effects with every swing!

Alternative Solutions

If the aggressive playstyle isn’t for you, consider these approaches:

• Focus on Surviving in Squads: While slower, you can focus on rotation and opening every Rare Chestand Supply Drop you see, avoiding fights. This is a viable, if lessefficient, passive strategy.
• Find a Dedicated Farming Squad: Team up with friends or use community LFG (Looking for Group) platforms to form a squad whose sole goal is to help each other farm Llamas. Youcan coordinate drops and share loot paths.
• Play Bot Lobbies (Unofficial): Some players use alternate accounts to create bot lobbies, whereenemies are easier to eliminate. Note that this skirts the intendedchallenge and may not be as rewarding.

How to Prevent "Missing Out" in the Future

The only “issue” here is the limited-time nature of the offer. Stay prepared:

• Follow Official Channels: Follow @FortniteGame on Twitter and enable notifications. They always announce free rewards and quests.
• Check the Quest Tab Weekly: Make it a habit to log in on Thursday (when weekly updates often drop) and scan the Quest tab for new limited-time rewards.
• Join a Fortnite Community: Discord servers or subreddits like r/FortniteFashion are excellent forgetting quick heads-ups on free cosmetics you might have missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Until when is the Starbrite Smasher pickaxe available for free?
A: The associated “Squad Up!” quests are expected to be available untilthe end of the current season, but always check the in-game timer on the quest for the exact expiration date. Don’t wait until the last week!

Q2: Do I need to have the Brite Bomber skin to get or use this pickaxe?
A: No! This pickaxe is a standalone reward. You can equip and use it with any skin in your locker.

Q3: Can I complete this if I play in Squads with fill teammates, or do I need a pre-made squad?
A: “Fill” squads work perfectly! The game mode is what matters, not whether you know your teammates.

Q4: What if I miss the free deadline? Will it come to the Item Shop?
A: Most likely, yes. Historically, many free reward cosmetics are added to the Item Shop rotation for V-Bucks after their quest period ends. Butwhy pay when you can earn it?

Q5: Do Shiny Llamas collected in previous seasons count?
A: No. Shiny Llamas are a quest-specific item for this set of Milestones. Your count starts from zero when the quests launched.

Securing the Starbrite Smasher is a fun grind that rewards teamwork and smartlooting. Now that you’re armed with the perfect strategy, it’s time tosquad up and start swinging that cosmic pickaxe on the island.

---

Other Articles Related

How to Get the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe for Free in Fortnite
Get the Starbrite Smasher Pickaxe in Fortnite without spending V-Bucks!This guide explains the limited-time methods to unlock this cosmicharvesting tool for free.
How to Get All SpongeBob Cosmetics in Fortnite
guide to unlocking all SpongeBob cosmetics in Fortnite. Dive into tips, tricks, and strategies to enhance your gaming
How to Collect Shiny Llamas in Fortnite
guide to collecting shiny llamas in Fortnite. Unlock tips, strategies, and locations to enhance your gaming experience
How to Get Harry Potter Skins in Fortnite
Learn the secrets to obtaining Harry Potter skins in Fortnite. Ourcomprehensive guide provides tips and tricks  
Where to Find Back to the Future Mythic DeLorean in Fortnite
locations of the Mythic DeLorean from Back to the Future in Fortnite. Unlock its secrets and enhance your gameplay
How to Get the Free Rust Bucket Back Bling in Fortnite
unlock the Free Rust Bucket Back Bling in Fortnite with our step-by-step guide. Elevate your gameplay and style
How to Get a Perfect Gift in Fortnite
Learn how to gift items in Fortnite! Step-by-step guide for gifting skins,V-Bucks & more from the Item Shop. Requirements, restrictions &tips explained.
How to Get Free Cheeks and Glacial Dummy Skins in Fortnite
Want free Fortnite cosmetics? Learn legitimate methods to earn the Cheeksand Glacial Dummy skins without spending V-Bucks. Get tips for in-gamechallenges, events, and promotions.
Where to Find the Yule Trooper Boss in Fortnite
Discover the Yule Trooper Boss location in Fortnite! tips and strategies to defeat this festive foe and enhance your gameplay.
How to Fix Fortnite Unable to connect to server
 Struggling with Fortnite connection errors? Discover effective solutions to fix your issues and get back to gaming 
How to Get Music Albums in ARC Raiders
Unlock the full soundscape of ARC Raiders! Learn how to get official musicalbums, in-game tracks, and immersive OSTs to enhance your extractionshooter experience.
How to Get Fossilized Lightning in ARC Raiders
Unearth the secrets of fossilized lightning in ARC Raiders. Learn where tofind, how to harvest, and best uses for this rare conductive resource to upgrade your gear.
How to Get Candle Holders in ARC Raiders
Learn how to find & farm Candle Holders in ARC Raiders for progression and crafting. Essential loot guide for all players.
How to Get the Acoustic Guitar in ARC Raiders
Learn how to get the acoustic guitar in ARC Raiders, a special instrumentwith unique emotes. Find its location and collect it fast!
How to Set Up Surround Sound for Gaming
Elevate your gaming experience! Learn how to set up surround sound at home,from choosing the right speaker layout to calibrating audio settings for immersive gameplay.