When Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1 launched in December 2023, it didn’t just reshape the island with fresh terrain and weapons—it also introduced a diverse cast of NPCs who could turn the tide of any match. For players dropping into the new map, knowing where to find these characters and what they offer became just as important as mastering the building mechanics. This guide revisits that season, detailing every NPC, their locations, and the services they provided, from healing allies to selling powerful loot.
The Two Types of NPCs
Not all NPCs were created equal. Chapter 5 Season 1 featured two distinct categories: those you could hire to fight alongside you, and those who only offered goods and services. Hireable NPCs brought extra utility—some healed your squad, others scanned for enemies, and a few hurled explosives at foes. The rest acted as mobile vendors, selling everything from shield potions to epic weapons. Understanding these differences could mean the difference between a victory royale and an early exit.
Hireable NPCs and Their Services
These characters could be recruited for a fee, and each brought a unique specialty to the battlefield. Below is a breakdown of every hireable NPC, where they could be found, and what they offered.
| NPC | Location | Services | Gold Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Tan Specialist | Southwest of Pleasant Piazza | Patch Up (100), Recruit: Medic Specialist (250) | 100 / 250 |
| Metal Mouth | North of Reckless Railways | Cluster Clingers x2 (200), Hammer Pump Shotgun (300), Recruit: Heavy Specialist (200) | 200 / 300 / 200 |
| Snow Striker | South of Grand Glacier at a campsite | Recruit: Scout Specialist (250), EMP Stealth Camo (100), Reaper Sniper Rifle (Epic) (300) | 250 / 100 / 300 |
| Steelsight | Rebel's Roost | Recruit: Supply Specialist (200), Lock On Pistol (100), Striker AR (Epic) (300) | 200 / 100 / 300 |
| Contract Giller | North of Classy Courts | Recruit: Scout Specialist (250), EMP Stealth Camo (150) | 250 / 150 |
| Mecha Team Shadow | North of Pleasant Piazza, across the river | Recruit: Heavy Specialist (200), Anvil Rocket Launcher (250), Nemesis AR (Epic) (300) | 200 / 250 / 300 |
| Dara | East of Fencing Fields | Recruit: Medic Specialist (250), Shield Breaker EMP x3 (100), Ranger Pistol (Epic) (300) | 250 / 100 / 300 |
| Solid Snake | North of Lavish Lair | Recruit: Scout Specialist (250), EMP Stealth Camo (100), Cardboard Box x5 (100) | 250 / 100 / 100 |
💡 Pro tip: The Medic Specialist was a lifesaver in squad fights, while the Scout Specialist’s periodic scans could reveal enemy positions and chests—perfect for ambushes.
Other NPCs and Their Services
Not every NPC wanted to join the fight. These vendors stayed put and sold valuable supplies, often in hard-to-reach spots that rewarded exploration.
| NPC | Location | Services | Gold Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vengeance Jones | Southeast of Pleasant Piazza (Underground) | Prop Disguise (50), Cluster Clinger x2 (200), Frenzy Auto Shotgun (Epic) (300) | 50 / 200 / 300 |
| Hope | North of Hazy Hillside, underground | Rift (250), Grapple Blade (400) | 250 / 400 |
| Leelah | Southeast of Hazy Hillside | Crash Pad Jr. (150), Rift (250), Thunder Burst SMG (Epic) (300) | 150 / 250 / 300 |
| Boxy | North of Ritzy Riviera | Med Kit (125), FlowBerry Fizz (150) | 125 / 150 |
| Starr Oakley | East of Snooty Steps, on a small island | Patch Up (100), Shockwave Grenade x2 (250), Lock On Pistol (100) | 100 / 250 / 100 |
| Silas Hesk | Northwest of Snooty Steps, by the beach | Prop Disguise (50), Shield Potion (125), Hyper SMG (Epic) (300) | 50 / 125 / 300 |
| Snowheart | Southwest of Grand Glacier, at the lakehouse | Patch Up (100), Lock On Pistol (100), FlowBerry Fizz (100) | 100 / 100 / 100 |
| Lana Llane | Southeast of Rebel's Roost, in the forest | Rift To Go (250), Shockwave Grenade x2 (250) | 250 / 250 |
| Odyssey | Ruined Reels | Grapple Blade (400), Shield Potion (125) | 400 / 125 |
| Sonor | East of Classy Courts | Med Kit (125), Ballistic Shield (Epic) (250) | 125 / 250 |
Why These NPCs Mattered
In the fast-paced world of Fortnite, information was power. Knowing that Solid Snake lurked north of Lavish Lair with EMP Stealth Camo and a Scout Specialist for hire could give a squad a stealth advantage. Similarly, finding Hope underground near Hazy Hillside meant access to a Grapple Blade—a mobility tool that could turn a clumsy rotation into a swift escape. The map became a chessboard, and these NPCs were key pieces.
“Players who memorized NPC spawns often dominated early fights,” noted one seasoned competitor. “A quick Patch Up from Sun Tan Specialist could save you from a third-party ambush.”
Of course, the island evolved. The TMNT collaboration eventually ended, removing Master Splinter and April O’Neil, and new characters rotated in. But for those who played Chapter 5 Season 1, these NPCs left a lasting mark on the meta. Whether you were a battle-hardened veteran or a fresh drop, knowing where to find a Medic Specialist or a trusty Epic weapon was the first step toward that elusive victory crown.
So next time you drop into a new season, take a moment to scout the NPCs. They might just be the difference between a #1 and a #99.