Fortnite Quints 5-Player Team Mode Guide (January 2026)

Updated by Prachi Jhalani
January 9, 2026
GamingFortnite

The biggest team change in Fortnite history is finally here! Fortnite Quints introduces a revolutionary 5-player team mode that’s set to transform how we play Battle Royale. Launching this Friday as part of the epic “South Park: Born in Chaos” collaboration, Quints addresses years of player requests for larger squad sizes while bringing beloved South Park characters into the mix.

Whether you’re tired of being the “fifth wheel” like Butters or you’ve always wanted to coordinate with a larger team, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Fortnite’s game-changing Quints mode. From new gameplay mechanics to strategic advantages, we’ll dive deep into why this could become the new standard for squad play.

What Are Fortnite Quints?

Fortnite Quints represents the most significant team size change in Battle Royale since Trios were introduced five years ago. This new 5-player playlist allows you to squad up with four friends instead of the traditional three, creating entirely new strategic possibilities and social dynamics.

The mode arrives as a limited-time event running from January 9 to February 5, 2026, but Epic Games has hinted it could become permanent if successful. According to Fortnite Design Director Ted Timmins, Quints was added “because every squad has their ‘Butters'” – referencing the iconic South Park character who often gets left out.

Key Features at a Glance:

Feature	Details	Availability
Team Size	5 players per squad	January 9 – February 5, 2026
Game Modes	Build Mode & Zero Build	Both modes supported
Map	Golden Coast	Special South Park theme
Special Items	Stick of Truth, Cheesy Poofs, Kenny Token	Event exclusive
New POI	Cartmanland	Replaces Wonkeeland

The South Park Connection: Born in Chaos Event

The Quints mode launches alongside Fortnite’s massive South Park: Born in Chaos collaboration, marking one of the most comprehensive crossovers in the game’s history. This isn’t just about skins – it’s a complete gameplay overhaul that brings South Park’s chaotic energy to every aspect of the Battle Royale experience.

Narrative Integration

The collaboration tells the story of the South Park boys playing Fortnite, with Butters being left out (because he “lowkey sucks at Fortnite”). In classic South Park fashion, Butters transforms into his Professor Chaos alter ego and uses the Stick of Truth to transport everyone into Fortnite, forcing the group to accept him as their fifth player – thus creating the perfect narrative setup for Quints mode.

Available Characters

The collaboration features five main South Park characters in special mech suit outfits:

Cartman – The self-proclaimed leader
Stan – The straight man of the group
Kyle – The intelligent strategist
Kenny – The immortal one (you can kill him over and over!)
Butters – The chaotic good fifth wheel

Additionally, Towelie is available as a Sidekick companion, because as they say, “don’t forget to bring a towel!”

Revolutionary New Gameplay Items

The South Park collaboration introduces three game-changing items that completely alter Battle Royale dynamics:

The Stick of Truth

Perhaps the most powerful item ever introduced to Fortnite, the Stick of Truth is a one-time-use weapon that fundamentally changes how the final circle plays out. When you retrieve this legendary item (which descends from the sky like supply drops), the storm circle immediately centers on you for the remainder of the match.

Strategic Implications:

You become the “final boss” of the match
All remaining players must converge on your position
Creates intense, focused endgame scenarios
Requires exceptional positioning and building skills

Cheesy Poofs

These aren’t just your average snack food! Cheesy Poofs serve multiple purposes:

Healing: Restore health quickly (can be consumed while sprinting)
Support: Throw to heal allies
Offense: Throw at enemies to deal damage
Versatility: No more accidentally throwing healing items when you meant to switch weapons

Kenny’s Respawn Token

It’s just like Kenny says: “Mmph rmph mmph… phrm mmph!” (Translation: “I’ll be back!”). The Kenny’s Respawn Token is a one-time-use item that automatically reboots you after elimination, effectively giving you a second life.

Tactical Advantages:

Eliminates the frustration of early eliminations
Allows for more aggressive playstyles
Perfect for players who frequently find themselves in sticky situations
Limited availability adds strategic depth to looting

Cartmanland: The New POI

Wonkeeland has received a complete South Park makeover and is now Cartmanland, featuring rides and attractions straight from the show. This new Point of Interest includes:

CHAOS BLAST – An intense roller coaster
Voyage to the Center of the Planet – A mysterious journey
Pi Pi’s Lazy River – A relaxing water feature (probably)

The POI maintains the same basic layout as Wonkeeland but with South Park theming throughout, including Cartman’s face plastered everywhere and various Easter eggs for fans to discover.

Strategic Advantages of 5-Player Teams

The introduction of Quints creates numerous strategic possibilities that weren’t possible with smaller team sizes:

Enhanced Coverage

With five players, you can:

Cover more ground during looting phases
Maintain better situational awareness
Create more complex defensive structures
Execute sophisticated flanking maneuvers

Specialized Roles

Larger teams allow for greater specialization:

Builder – Focuses on construction and defense
Scout – Handles reconnaissance and positioning
Sniper – Long-range engagements
Assault – Close-quarters combat
Support – Healing and item management

Increased Firepower

Five players means:

More bullets in the air simultaneously
Better ability to suppress enemies
Increased chances of knocking opponents
Greater flexibility in team fights

Resilience

Larger teams are more forgiving:

Can sustain more eliminations before being wiped
Better revival capabilities
More opportunities for comeback scenarios
Reduced impact of individual mistakes

How to Play Quints: Complete Strategy Guide

Early Game: Looting Phase

Team Coordination:

Establish a landing strategy that maximizes coverage
Assign loot priorities to avoid conflicts
Maintain communication about valuable item locations
Consider splitting into smaller groups initially

Looting Efficiency:

Cover multiple buildings simultaneously
Share resources effectively
Prioritize finding Kenny’s Respawn Tokens early
Look for Stick of Truth spawn locations

Mid Game: Positioning

Map Control:

Use your numbers to control key areas
Establish crossfires and defensive positions
Rotate as a coordinated unit
Leverage the extra player for information gathering

Engagement Decisions:

Be more selective with fights early on
Use your numbers advantage wisely
Avoid getting split up in unfavorable terrain
Consider the storm’s movement with your larger team size

Late Game: Endgame Strategy

Circle Management:

With the Stick of Truth, control the final circle
Without it, prepare for concentrated fighting
Use building to create multi-level defenses
Leverage your numbers for information advantage

Final Fights:

Coordinate ultimate abilities and items
Use crossfires to pin enemies
Save Kenny’s Respawn Tokens for crucial moments
Consider sacrificial plays to gain positional advantage

Born in Chaos Pass: Free Rewards

For the first time in almost two years, Fortnite introduces a completely free event pass. The Born in Chaos Pass features 13 tiers of South Park-themed cosmetics that you unlock by completing specific quests rather than passively gaining XP.

Pass Rewards Include:

Tier	Reward	Type
Multiple	Backpack of CRED Back Bling	Back Bling
Multiple	Terrance and Phillip Pickaxe	Harvesting Tool
Multiple	Cheesy Poofs Rocketship Emote	Emote
Final Tier	Imaginationland Airship Glider	Glider

Important Note: Unlike previous mini-passes, the free Born in Chaos Pass does NOT include the main South Park character outfits – those must be purchased separately from the Item Shop.

Technical Details and Game Balance

Performance Considerations

The introduction of 5-player teams raises important technical questions:

Server Load: More players per match means increased server strain
Client Performance: Additional characters may impact frame rates
Network Bandwidth: More data to synchronize between players

Balance Concerns

Epic Games faces several balance challenges:

Pacing: Larger teams may slow down game progression
Power Scaling: 5v5 engagements vs. traditional 4v4 or 3v3
Item Economy: More players competing for the same loot
Storm Damage: May need adjustment for larger groups

Previous Experiments

This isn’t Epic’s first attempt at larger team sizes:

Earlier in 2026, they tested a 6-player Blitz Royale mode
The mode was removed after a few weeks due to various issues
Player feedback from that test likely influenced Quints design

Community Response and Future Potential

Initial Reception

The community response to Quints has been overwhelmingly positive:

Players appreciate finally having larger squad options
South Park collaboration adds significant value
Free event pass is praised for accessibility
Strategic depth excites competitive players

Permanent Implementation Possibility

When asked about Quints becoming permanent, Design Director Ted Timmins responded: “Make it successful then we’ll talk.” This suggests Epic is open to keeping the mode if:

Player engagement remains high
Technical issues are minimal
Balance doesn’t disrupt the broader game
Community feedback stays positive

Potential Impact on Fortnite Meta

If Quints becomes permanent, we could see:

Shift in competitive team compositions
New strategies developed around 5-player coordination
Changes to tournament formats
Evolution of building and editing meta

Comparison with Other Team Sizes

Team Size	Advantages	Disadvantages	Best For
Solo	Full control, fast matches	No support, high difficulty	Skilled individual players
Duos	Good balance, easy coordination	Limited coverage	Competitive play
Trios	Balanced gameplay, good synergy	Can feel crowded	Standard competitive
Squads (4v4)	Good teamwork, manageable	One player often left out	Most players
Quints (5v5)	Maximum coverage, inclusive	Complex coordination	Large friend groups

Platform-Specific Considerations

Console Performance

Input Lag: More players may increase input latency
Frame Rate: Additional characters could impact performance
Communication: Voice chat becomes even more crucial
UI Scaling: More health bars and information to display

Mobile Adaptation

Screen Space: Five players require more UI elements
Touch Controls: Complex team coordination challenging
Battery Life: Longer matches with more action
Network Stability: Mobile connections may struggle

PC Advantages

Hardware: Better able to handle increased player count
Communication: Superior voice chat options
Customization: More UI and HUD customization options
Performance: Generally smoother experience

Professional Play and Esports Impact

Tournament Integration

The introduction of Quints raises questions for competitive Fortnite:

FNCS Format: Will tournaments adopt 5-player teams?
Scoring Systems: How will elimination points work?
Broadcasting: More players to track and feature
Team Organizations: Roster management complexity

Strategic Evolution

Professional players would need to adapt:

Role Specialization: Even more defined positions
Communication Protocols: More complex callouts needed
Practice Requirements: More coordination practice
Meta Development: New strategies around 5-player teams

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Team Coordination Errors

Overcommunication: Too many people talking at once
Role Confusion: Unclear responsibilities
Splitting Up: Getting separated without purpose
Looting Conflicts: Fighting over the same items

Strategic Mistakes

Overextending: Using numbers to push recklessly
Neglecting Rotation: Forgetting storm movement with larger team
Wasting Resources: Not managing items efficiently
Poor Positioning: Not leveraging numerical advantages

Technical Issues

Network Problems: Connection issues with more players
Performance Drops: Frame rate struggles
Audio Overload: Too many sound cues
UI Clutter: Difficulty tracking all team information

Advanced Tips and Pro Strategies

Communication Excellence

Callout Hierarchy: Establish who makes final decisions
Position Reporting: Clear, concise location updates
Enemy Counting: Track opponent numbers precisely
Resource Management: Share item availability information

Building Strategies

Layered Defense: Multiple levels of protection
Crossfire Setup: Coordinated firing positions
Escape Routes: Plan multiple exit strategies
Resource Pooling: Share materials efficiently

Rotational Tactics

Staggered Movement: Don’t move as one large group
Overwatch System: Some players cover while others move
Flanking Maneuvers: Use numbers to outposition enemies
Bait and Switch: Use teammates as distractions

FAQs

My game lags more in Quints mode. What can I do?

Try lowering your graphics settings, closing background applications, and making sure your internet connection is stable. Quints mode places additional strain on your system due to the increased number of players and effects.

Can I play Quints with fewer than 5 players?

Yes, you can queue with 2–5 players, but you will still be matched against full 5-player teams, which can put your squad at a significant disadvantage.

Will my progress carry over if Quints becomes permanent?

Epic has not officially confirmed this, but historically, event-based progress does not carry over if the mode becomes permanent later.

How many Kenny’s Respawn Tokens can one team have?

There is no stated limit, but the tokens are extremely rare loot items, so obtaining multiple in a single match is unlikely.

Does the Stick of Truth work in Zero Build?

Yes. Quints is available in both Build and Zero Build modes, and the Stick of Truth functions in both.

Can I get South Park skins for free?

No. The South Park character outfits must be purchased from the Item Shop. Only the rewards from the Born in Chaos Pass are available for free.

Conclusion

Fortnite Quints represents more than just a new team size – it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about squad-based Battle Royale. By addressing the long-standing request for larger teams while integrating it with a massive South Park collaboration, Epic Games has created something truly special.

The mode’s success will depend on player engagement and technical performance, but early signs suggest Quints could become a permanent addition to Fortnite’s lineup. Whether you’re a casual player looking to include more friends or a competitive strategist seeking new challenges, Quints offers fresh opportunities for everyone.

As we move through this limited-time event, pay attention to how the meta evolves, what strategies emerge, and how the community responds. Your feedback and gameplay could help shape the future of Fortnite team play.