Fortnite is known for its constant updates, new mechanics, and creative gameplay elements that keep players engaged every season. One of the more interesting features involves interacting with NPCs, including henchmen. These characters, once known only as enemies guarding specific locations, have now become recruitable allies in certain Fortnite seasons. Learning how to recruit defeated henchmen in Fortnite can give you an advantage in combat, help with quests, or simply add some fun to your matches. Whether you’re new to the game or returning after a break, understanding how to use this feature effectively can make a big difference in your gameplay strategy.
Understanding Henchmen in Fortnite
Henchmen are non-playable characters (NPCs) that were first introduced in Chapter 2 of Fortnite. They were initially part of various villain organizations located across the map, serving as guards for bosses and vaults. These henchmen typically patrolled certain areas, attacked players on sight, and dropped weapons or items when defeated. Over time, Epic Games has evolved their role, and in some seasons, henchmen can even be interacted with or recruited to fight alongside players.
Recruiting defeated henchmen is not always straightforward, as it depends on the season and game mode. In certain Fortnite chapters, such as Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Epic introduced NPC recruitment systems, allowing players to hire characters for gold bars. Some of these NPCs include former henchmen or security-type characters. Understanding how to approach and recruit them will allow you to add an extra layer of strategy to your gameplay.
What Does It Mean to Recruit a Henchman?
When you recruit a henchman in Fortnite, you essentially hire them as a companion or AI teammate. Once recruited, they will follow you around, engage enemies, and sometimes even revive you if you are knocked down in certain modes. Henchmen-turned-allies are particularly useful for solo players or those looking to balance out a small squad. They can distract enemies, provide covering fire, and serve as an extra layer of defense during intense fights.
In previous seasons, henchmen would remain hostile unless defeated or disguised. However, the recruitment feature allows players to spend gold bars an in-game currency to turn them into temporary allies. The process is similar to hiring other NPCs on the map, but it often requires locating specific henchmen or completing certain in-game actions.
How to Recruit Defeated Henchmen in Fortnite
Recruiting defeated henchmen can vary slightly depending on the season or update, but the basic process usually follows a similar pattern. Below is a general guide to help you understand the steps involved in finding and recruiting them.
Step 1 Locate Henchmen on the Map
Henchmen usually appear at specific named locations or POIs (Points of Interest) across the Fortnite map. They are often stationed in bases, near vaults, or in areas guarded by bosses. Look for strongholds, outposts, or security bases where AI enemies typically patrol. Depending on the current season, henchmen may wear different uniforms or belong to different factions, such as Ghost, Shadow, or IO (Imagined Order).
Step 2 Defeat or Knock Down a Henchman
To recruit a defeated henchman, you first need to engage in combat and knock them down instead of fully eliminating them. When their health reaches zero, they will drop to their knees, crawling on the ground and waiting to be finished off. This is your opportunity to interact with them. In some game versions, you can only recruit them while they’re in this defeated state.
Step 3 Approach the Downed Henchman
Once a henchman is down, approach them carefully. Make sure the area is safe other henchmen or players might still be nearby. When you’re close enough, a prompt will appear on the screen giving you interaction options. In most cases, you’ll see an option to Recruit or Hire the henchman if the feature is active in that season.
Step 4 Spend Gold Bars to Hire
Recruiting a henchman usually costs gold bars. The exact amount may vary depending on the type of henchman or NPC. Once you press the interaction key (usually E on PC, Square on PlayStation, or X on Xbox), and have enough gold bars, the henchman will instantly switch sides and become your ally. You’ll know the recruitment worked when they stop attacking and begin following you around the map.
Step 5 Command and Use the Henchman
After recruiting, the henchman will act as an AI teammate. They automatically follow your movements and engage in battles when enemies approach. While you can’t directly control their actions, they respond to combat situations, shoot nearby opponents, and sometimes pick up items. Keeping them alive can give you consistent support throughout the match.
Tips for Successfully Recruiting Henchmen
While the process might seem simple, there are a few strategic tips that can help you make the most of your recruited henchmen in Fortnite.
- Bring Enough Gold BarsAlways keep a reserve of gold bars before heading to locations with recruitable NPCs. The hiring cost can vary between 100 and 200 gold bars depending on the season.
- Clear the Area FirstMake sure other enemies are eliminated before attempting to recruit a henchman. If you’re attacked during the process, you may accidentally finish them off instead of hiring them.
- Watch for NPC Icons on the MapIn newer Fortnite versions, NPC icons sometimes appear on the map or compass, helping you locate potential recruits more easily.
- Use Henchmen for DistractionRecruited henchmen make excellent distractions during intense firefights, drawing enemy attention while you reposition or heal.
Why Recruiting Henchmen is Useful
Having a henchman on your side isn’t just for show it can genuinely change your tactical approach to the game. Here’s why learning how to recruit defeated henchmen is valuable
- Added FirepowerHenchmen can assist in fights, making it easier to win one-on-one battles or fend off multiple enemies.
- Better Survival RateIf you’re playing solo, having a companion helps balance the odds. They can absorb some enemy damage and even act as decoys.
- Quest ProgressSome Fortnite challenges or missions require you to recruit NPCs or henchmen as part of questlines. Knowing how to do this saves you time and earns you rewards faster.
- Team Play AdvantageIn duos or squads, adding a henchman gives your team an extra AI player that contributes to combat or defense.
Differences Between Seasons and Updates
It’s important to note that Fortnite frequently changes its NPC mechanics with each update or chapter. In some seasons, recruiting henchmen directly after defeating them isn’t possible, but you can still hire NPCs with similar behaviors at outposts or safehouses. In other seasons, defeated henchmen can be revived or reprogrammed using specific in-game devices or features. Always check the current patch notes or in-game descriptions to confirm whether henchman recruitment is active during your playtime.
Seasonal Variations to Expect
- In Chapter 2, henchmen were mostly enemies guarding bosses and vaults.
- In Chapter 3, Epic introduced a hiring system using gold bars, allowing players to recruit certain NPCs as allies.
- In Chapter 4, some AI NPCs were labeled as Henchmen again but could serve as hireable guards at strongholds.
As Fortnite evolves, these mechanics may appear again in different forms, offering new ways to interact with AI characters on the island.
Common Mistakes When Recruiting Henchmen
Players often make a few mistakes when trying to recruit henchmen. Avoid these common errors to ensure success
- Eliminating the henchman before interacting with them. Once they’re fully defeated, you can’t recruit them.
- Running out of gold bars. You must have enough currency to complete the recruitment.
- Ignoring nearby enemies. Trying to recruit while under fire can lead to accidental damage or failed interactions.
- Leaving the area too quickly. If you move too far away right after recruiting, the henchman may despawn or stop following you.
Learning how to recruit defeated henchmen in Fortnite adds another layer of strategy and fun to the game. By locating henchmen, knocking them down instead of eliminating them, and spending gold bars to recruit them, you can turn former enemies into valuable allies. These AI companions can assist in combat, provide distractions, and even help complete quests. Although the system varies from season to season, the concept remains an exciting part of Fortnite’s evolving gameplay. Next time you spot a henchman on the map, remember they might just become your best teammate if you play your cards right.