How to find Darth Vader & get his Lightsaber in Fortnite

The iconic Star Wars villain — Darth Vader — is the latest Fortnite antagonist, choosing the Island for his new campaign. Vader serves as a Boss character, patrolling the Island and challenging any Fortnite players who dare contest him.

Those who manage to find and defeat him in combat will discover Darth Vader's Lightsaber, a Mythic melee weapon, waiting for them.

Where can you find Darth Vader?

Historically, non-player character (NPC) Bosses tend to post up at specific locations on the Island. That's not the case with Darth Vader though, as he likes to visit a different site each match.

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When you begin a match, look around the Battle Bus and you'll notice the Lambda-class Shuttle starship flying around the Island. Eventually, it'll settle on a spot to land.

It's impossible to predict where the Dark Lord will ultimately land, but when his starship finally touches the ground, a giant blue beam will mark where you can find him.

How to get his Lightsaber

As you might expect, the only way to get your hands on his Lightsaber is to vanquish Vader himself in combat. The Lightsaber is a true tool of destruction. The laser blade is deadly at close range, but you can also throw it at enemies boomerang-style, as well as use it to deflect incoming fire.

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Upon defeat, Darth Vader will drop his Lightsaber. He only appears once per match, so you'll want to take him on early before other players get to him. If you can't find him, it's likely someone else already eliminated him and grabbed the Lightsaber for themselves.

How to defeat Vader

Defeating Darth Vader won't be easy. The Sith Lord is formidable in melee combat. Get too close, and he can wipe you out in seconds. Furthermore, he can toss his Lightsaber out at you, deflect your bullets, and even use force powers to toss you or toss objects at you.

Add on the fact that Vader comes with a small army of Stormtroopers to protect him, and taking this Boss down is no simple task. 

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Your best bet to conquer Darth Vader is to wear him down slowly while making an effort to keep your distance and avoid incoming damage. Vader has six to seven times the health of a normal enemy player, so plan accordingly. Look for openings and opportunities to catch him off guard from behind or when he's not defending with his Lightsaber.

How to unlock his outfit

The Chapter 3 Season 3 Battle Pass features Darth Vader as the Tier 100 Reward. Make your way through the entire Chapter 3 Season Battle Pass and you'll have the option to unlock the Darth Vader Outfit for nine Battle Stars.

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The skin won't grant you the abilities of Darth Vader, but it should still strike fear in the hearts of your opponents.