Fortnite 29.40 update patch notes: Release date, Star Wars event, Chewbacca skin, more

Nathan Warby
Fortnite Star Wars event artwork

The Fortnite 29.40 update is set to be a big one, bringing a new Star Wars event and the long-awaited Chewbacca skin. Here are the full patch notes of everything included in the update.

Although Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 3 isn’t expected until the end of May, Epic Games are keeping players occupied with regular updates. The next of these is v29.40, which brings a brand-new Star Wars event full of unique rewards.

Here are the full patch notes for the Fortnite 29.40 update, including the release date and downtime details.

Fortnite 29.40 update release date & downtime

The Fortnite 29.40 update arrives on Friday, May 3, 2024, as confirmed by the X post announcing the next Star Wars event. Downtime is expected to begin at 12 AM PT / 3 AM PT / 8 AM BST and could last for a few hours.

During this period, the servers will be completely offline while the devs roll out the patch, meaning players will be unable to access the game.

Fortnite 29.40 update Star Wars event & Chewbacca skin

The main addition in the Fortnite 29.40 update is the latest Star Wars event, just in time for Star Wars Day on May 4. This latest crossover brings fresh content to each core mode, Battle Royale, Rocket Racing, and Festival.

Chewbacca finally arrives as a skin as part of the LEGO Pass, along with his iconic Wookie Bowcaster which can be found on the main island. Meanwhile, Festival players have the option to hit the stage in the legendary Mos Eisley Cantina.

Fortnite 29.40 update patch notes

Check out the full Fortnite 29.40 update patch notes below, as shared by Epic Games on the official blog:

Battle Royale

  • Darth Vader returns to the map, letting players who defeat him claim and wield his Lightsaber.
  • Stormtrooper NPCs can be found around the island, who drop E-11 Blasters to pick up.
  • Imperial Roadblocks full of Stormtroopers are set up at various locations, including one where Chewbacca is being held hostage.
  • Setting Chewbacca free grants players his Wookie Bowcaster.
  • Some Chests have also been replaced with Imperial Chests, containing E-11 Balsters, the Wookie Bowcaster, and more.
  • Star Wars Quests have been added to unlock the AWR Pack Back Bling.

LEGO

  • LEGO Pass: Rebel Adventure is full of rewards, featuring free and premium tracks. Purchasing the premium track instantly unlocks Chewbacca skin.
  • Other rewards include Star Wars-themed Builds and Decor.
  • Lightsabers have been added, along with the following items:
    • Bowcaster: Launches a quarrel that deals damage and then explodes in the area.
      • Unlock the recipe for the Bowcaster by adding Durasteel to your inventory.
    • DL-44: There’s no substitution for a good blaster at your side.
      • Unlock the recipe for the DL-44 by adding Durasteel to your inventory.
    • E-11: Standard-issue blaster for Imperial Stormtroopers.
      • Unlock the recipe for the E-11 by adding Scrap Durasteel to your inventory.
    • Thermal Detonator: The bounty hunter’s detonator of choice! This thrown explosive affects a wider area than Dynamite.
      • Unlock the recipe for the Thermal Detonator by adding Durasteel to your inventory. 

Festival

  • Mos Eisley Cantina-inspired stage to select.
  • Seven-string Hallikset Guitar added as a new instrument.

Rocket Racing

  • Star Wars Quests to unlock Anakin’s Podracer Decal and Darth Maul Decal
  • Beskar bundle inspired by The Mandorlian, including the following items:
    • Beskar Car Body
    • Beskar (Din Djarin) Wheels
    • The Armorer Beskar Decal
    • Beskar (Armorer) Wheels
    • Boba Fett Beskar Decal
    • Beskar (Boba Fett) Wheels
    • Bo-Katan Kryze Beskar Decal
    • Beskar (Bo-Katan Kryze) Wheels
    • Sabine Wren Beskar Decal
    • Beskar (Sabine Wren) Wheels

Skins

  • Three new skins arrive in the store: Dagobah Luke, Lando Calrissian, and AWR Trooper.
  • The following skins are also set to return to the store:
    • Original Trilogy era:
      • Boba Fett
      • Han Solo
      • Imperial Stormtrooper
      • Leia Organa
    • New Trilogy era:
      • Finn
      • Kylo Ren
      • Rey
      • Sith Trooper
      • Zorii Bliss

That was everything in the Fortnite 29.40 update. For more on Fortnite, check out our other pages:

All Weapon Bunker locations in Fortnite | What are account levels in Fortnite? | Best Fortnite keybinds and settings for mouse & keyboard | Best Fortnite controller settings | How to convert your Fortnite skins to LEGO Style | What’s in the next Fortnite Crew pack? | Fortnite Quest rewards