By 2026, Fortnite's item shop has become a revolving door of crossovers, collabs, and limited-time chaos. Yet one Star Wars cosmetic still makes veteran players go weak in the knees: the Vanguard Squadron X-Wing Glider. It first arrived back in Chapter 2 Season 4, when Epic Games teamed up with Star Wars to promote Star Wars: Squadrons, a multiplayer starfighter game. The pitch was simple: glide into Battle Royale like a Jedi, or at least like someone who has watched a lot of Star Wars. The glider was rare, flashy, and exactly the sort of thing that made players dig into their V-Bucks wallet.
A Glider That Let Players Wing It in Style
Gliders in Fortnite are not just decorative parachutes. They help players travel around the map, finish challenges, or grab a better vantage point before the battle royale gets sweaty. Players deploy them after jumping from the Battle Bus or bouncing off a Launch Pad. Some gliders are even rideable, depending on type. The X-Wing fit the Star Wars fantasy like a proton torpedo in a thermal exhaust port. It was not the first Star Wars glider, and it would not be the last, but it had that special 'I am one with the Force' energy. Other Star Wars gliders have appeared during promotional events, but the Vanguard Squadron version remains a fan favorite.
Cosmetics like this are bought through the in-game store with V-Bucks. Players get V-Bucks by buying them with real-world currency or by progressing through passes when Epic offers them. In 2026, the grind has changed, but the principle is the same: no V-Bucks, no shiny starfighter.
How Players Got the X-Wing Glider in 2020
Back in 2020, there were two main routes. The first was direct: pay 1,200 V-Bucks in the Fortnite item shop. Boom, done, no Jedi mind trick required. The second was a promotional deal: buy Star Wars: Squadrons. The game did not launch until October 2, but pre-orders let players unlock the X-Wing glider early while they waited to play the actual starfighter game. Once the game was purchased, players logged into Fortnite to collect their reward. It was a clever bit of cross-promotion, and Epic knew exactly what it was doing.
| Method | Cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite item shop | 1,200 V-Bucks | Instant, but V-Bucks cost real money or time |
| Star Wars: Squadrons pre-order/purchase | Price of the game | Wait until October 2; pre-orders got early glider |
| Refund twist | 1,200 V-Bucks credited | If players bought glider first, then pre-ordered Squadrons |
Epic even had a safety net. If a player jumped the gun, bought the X-Wing glider in the item shop, and then pre-ordered Star Wars: Squadrons, the 1,200 V-Bucks were credited back to their account. That is the kind of customer service that makes players feel like they have an ace up their sleeve rather than a hole in their wallet.
The Star Wars: Squadrons Connection
Star Wars: Squadrons let players live out their starfighter pilot dreams with dogfights across different locations and a fleet of fighters. The Fortnite crossover was designed to pull Battle Royale fans into that world. It was not Epic's first Star Wars rodeo, either. The company had already partnered with Star Wars for events, including ones featuring J.J. Abrams, the director of the Star Wars movies. Star Wars-themed skins, emotes, and other gliders had appeared in the item shop during important events. By 2020, the partnership was no spring chicken, but it still had plenty of juice.
In 2026, the original promotion is a relic. Buying Star Wars: Squadrons today will not magically drop the X-Wing glider into a player's locker. That promotion ended long ago. The glider may return to the Fortnite item shop during a future Star Wars event, but nothing is guaranteed. Players who already own it can still flex it in the skies, and that is worth more than a few V-Bucks.
What 2026 Players Should Know
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The Vanguard Squadron X-Wing Glider is a legacy cosmetic from Chapter 2 Season 4.
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The original 1,200 V-Bucks price is the likely reference point if it returns.
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The Star Wars: Squadrons purchase bonus is no longer active.
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Fortnite now runs on more platforms than the PS4, Xbox One, and PC listed in 2020, including newer consoles and mobile/cloud options where available.
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Star Wars crossovers still happen, so players should keep an eye on the item shop around May the 4th and other major events.
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If a player sees the X-Wing glider in the shop, grabbing it is a piece of cake—assuming they have the V-Bucks.
The Bottom Line
The Vanguard Squadron X-Wing Glider was never rocket science. Players either paid 1,200 V-Bucks or bought Star Wars: Squadrons during a limited promotion. The result was a glider that made every drop from the Battle Bus feel like a trench run. In 2026, it remains a nostalgic badge of honor for Fortnite veterans and a reminder that Epic Games loves a good crossover. Players who missed it should not lose sleep, but they should definitely keep their V-Bucks ready. After all, in Fortnite, yesterday's rare glider can become tomorrow's item shop surprise. 🚀✨