The Marvel crossover Fortnite fans had been waiting for landed with a serious punch when Epic Games unveiled Chapter 5 Season 4, officially called Absolute Doom, at the D23 Expo’s Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase. The season went all-in on a Marvel-flavored power struggle centered on Doctor Doom, one of the most iconic villains in the Marvel Universe. Even looking back in 2026, Absolute Doom remains a standout example of how Epic Games likes to go big with its crossover seasons.
The story zeroed in on Doctor Doom joining forces with a roster of fellow Marvel villains to use the power of the unleashed Pandora’s Box to seize control of the island. That kind of villain team-up was a smart move, because Doctor Doom was enjoying a major pop-culture resurgence around the same period. He had been tapped as a main antagonist in NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals and was being positioned as the next major threat in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fortnite players also already knew him from Chapter 2: Season 4, where he was unlocked by reaching Level 67.
The Absolute Doom Story and Hero Response
According to the official trailer, Absolute Doom sees Doctor Doom assemble an impressive lineup of Marvel villains to tighten their grip on the island. In response, Jonesy — one of Fortnite’s original 8 Recruits — suits up in a Captain America-inspired outfit appropriately dubbed Captain Jonesy. He then recruits classic Marvel heroes such as War Machine and Shuri’s Black Panther to push back against the threat. As is often the case with themed Fortnite seasons, each hero arrives on the island with powers and abilities that reflect their comic book source material.
The season also weaves other Marvel characters into the main story. Cyclops and the X-Men appear in the trailer, giving players plenty of crossover flavour beyond the battle pass itself. It was a full-on Marvel mash-up, and the fanbase was more than ready for it.
Every Skin in the Absolute Doom Battle Pass
The Fortnite site confirmed that 8 skins could be unlocked throughout the Chapter 5: Season 4 Battle Pass. Players could earn XP through Fortnite Battle Royale, creator-made islands, LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival. Each level granted Battle Stars, which could then be used to unlock rewards. Players who wanted to speed things up could also buy levels.
Among the headline additions were:
| Skin | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gwenpool | Making her Fortnite debut; available from the start of the pass |
| War Machine | Brings heavy firepower with a jetpack and turrets |
| Shuri’s Black Panther | Based on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and post-2009 comic runs |
| Doctor Doom | The season’s big bad; previously unlockable at Level 67 in Chapter 2 Season 4 |
| Mysterio | The master of illusion |
| Captain Jonesy | A Captain America-style outfit for original Recruit Jonesy |
| Peelverine | Peely in Wolverine’s classic blue and yellow costume |
On top of that, more Marvel skins were confirmed to drop throughout the season, including the Fantastic Four, Fishpool, Meowscles, and Sabertooth. It was a packed lineup that gave Marvel fans plenty of reasons to keep grinding.
New and Returning Weapons
Absolute Doom served up a mix of fresh firepower and old reliables. Many of the new weapons were tied directly to characters making their Fortnite debut, which helped the season feel cohesive. The new weapon lineup included:
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New Dual SMGs
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New Sniper Rifle
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New Single-Hand Pistol
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Gwenpool’s Blades
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Shuri’s Vibranium Claws
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Peelverine’s Adamantium Claws
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War Machine’s Jetpack and Turrets
Returning items gave players another crack at gear they might have missed in past Marvel seasons. The returning list included:
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Doctor Doom’s Gauntlets
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Captain America’s Shield
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Iron Man’s Repulsor Gauntlets
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Stark Industries Energy Rifle
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Suppressed Assault Rifle
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Assault Rifle (Scar)
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Heavy Assault Rifle (AK)
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Choppa (vehicle)
The mix of returning character-specific items such as Doctor Doom’s Mythical gauntlets and Iron Man’s Repulsor Gauntlets was a nice touch for veteran players. Meanwhile, newer additions like Shuri’s Vibranium Claws and Peelverine’s Adamantium Claws gave the crossover a fresh edge.
Price and Launch Date
The Absolute Doom Battle Pass cost 950 V-Bucks, which worked out to roughly $9.99. Players could grab it by heading to the Battle Pass tab in Fortnite and clicking the \”Get the Pass\” button when the season went live. Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 4 launched on August 16, 2024, following planned downtime on August 15. Epic Games did not announce an end date at launch, but since Fortnite seasons typically run two to three months, Absolute Doom was expected to follow a similar schedule.
Before the season officially began, the full D23 stream looped inside the game. Players who visited the island for 10 minutes were granted the Peelverine Plush Back Bling plus XP when the new season launched. Epic noted that the Peelverine Plush might also be available for purchase at a later date, but the early reward was a solid bonus for anyone paying attention to the crossover.