Fortnite has managed to establish itself as one of the most popular games on the market, and it’s not hard to see why. The game is free to play, easy to learn, and has some pretty cool gameplay mechanics that make for an exciting experience.
With so many players playing the game, there are bound to be some who stand out from the crowd. Some of those who have been able to establish themselves as top players have had the opportunity to become professional esports players for the game.
Fortnite has already built up a wealth of players who are the best of the best and who regularly compete at tournaments around the world.
The winner of the 2019 Katowice Royale and the NA West Scallywag, Canadian player Zayt was one of the biggest names in Fortnite before his retirement in April 2021, having been around since 2017.
Zayt was a staple of the Fortnite community, with around 12 tournament wins to his name, winning an impressive $750,000 from one particular tournament.
2. Shane Cotton, a.k.a. “EpikWhale”
This 19-year-old Fortnite star is another gamer who plays for NRG Esports NA (much like the aforementioned Zayt) and is one of the top earners when it comes to competitive Fortnite since his World Cup debut in 2019.
EpikWhale has made more than a million dollars in his career, despite not having as big of a presence in the media as some Fortnite players do.
3. David Wang, a.k.a. “aqua”
Austrian player Aqua is known as one of the top players in the European region, as well as the most consistent. With his Duo partner Nyhrox, Aqua qualified for-and won- the World Cup in 2019.
He has amassed around one and a half million dollars in his career, including gaining three million dollars alongside Nyhrox from that Duos World Cup win.
4. Benjy David Fish, a.k.a. “Benjyfishy”
One of the most successful competitive Fortnite players in recent times, BenjyFishy is known for having a constant presence on the top leader boards.
Benjyfishy was only 16 when he started competing in Fortnite and is known for being one of the few players to qualify for both solos and duos in 2019, placing 25th in solos and 14th in duos.
A player from the United Kingdom, BenjyFishy is one of the biggest and best European players.
5. Jack Downs, a.k.a. “Jahq”
A relatively new player, Jahq is known for being one of the fastest rising stars in the scene who is both an excellent solo and team player.
Jahq is partnered with G2 Esports NA and has shown some strong performances in competitive Fortnite, winning a tournament in Chapter 2, Season 5 in March 2021 for which he was awarded fifty thousand dollars.
6. Kyle Giersdorf a.k.a. “Bugha”
A member of the Sentinels Esports Organization, Bugha shot to Fortnite fame in early 2019 and ended up winning the Fortnite Solo World Cup in July of that year.
His win led to him becoming a part of the Icon Series in Fortnite, meaning that players can buy a skin based on him in-game.
Bugha is thought to be worth a whopping $6.7 million, making him a huge earner in the world of esports and competitive Fortnite.
7. Brodie Franks, a.k.a. “Rehx”
Rehx is a player who has proved himself to be one of the biggest players in Fortnite following the release of Chapter 2 in the game. He has won multiple matches in competitive Fortnite along with a team of other players.
He has also been successful in various Duo events, teaming up with other well-known players such as EpikWhale whom he played with in a DreamHack Open. Rehx has two FNCS titles to his name, as well as a bunch of Trio Cash Cups wins.
8. Jannis Matwin, a.k.a. “JannisZ”
One of the best European players on the scene, despite only being 16 years old, JannisZ has won several matches in Chapter 2, Season 5 of Fortnite competitive, including winning the solo of the Chapter 2 Season Invitational.
Europe is considered to be one of the most difficult regions to crack when it comes to competitive Fortnite, making JannisZ’s achievements at such a young age all the more impressive and cementing his position as one of the top Fortnite players.
9. Kyle Jackson, a.k.a. “Mongraal”
Beginning competitive Fortnite in 2018 at the surprisingly young age of 13, (Epic Games had changed some rules allowing younger players to compete that year)Mongraal first found success after winning the European Luxe Cup.
Mongraal soon rose through the ranks and, at 14 years old, became one of the most successful European players, having won various major tournaments as well as several cash cups.
His incredible skill at such a young age not only makes Mongraal one of the best players, but also one of the most impressive.
10. Martin Foss Andersen, a.k.a. “Mr Savage”
Another young, European player, 15-year-old Norwegian Fortnite player Mr Savage has become very popular in recent months thanks to his consistent high placings.
He was able to qualify for both solo and duo competitions, smashing the qualifiers with the aforementioned BenjyFishy at the European Championships, but also winning the solo competition at DreamHack in Anaheim in 2020.
Much like several other players on this list, the young age of Mr Savage makes his gaming skills all the more impressive.
Summary
So there you have 10 of the best Fortnite players of all time! Whilst these are just a few particularly impressive players.
There are tons more gamers out there that are great examples of top-level Fortnite players who have been able to forge a lucrative career out of their skills.
Here’s hoping that more young gamers will have the opportunity to prove their skills, and maybe even rise through the ranks like these esports pros in the future.
My name is Ashley Newby and I want to put integrity back into esports and get the hype surrounding them paramount once more. During my teenage years, I happened to stumble across a Street Fighter tournament online and I was hooked.
From that day, I have kept up with and watched many tournaments including Valorant, Super Smash Bros, and League of Legends. I even got to compete in my first one earlier this year!
