The Minty Axe, officially known as the Merry Mint Axe, has become one of the most sought-after harvesting tools in Fortnite’s history. This distinctive pickaxe with its candy cane design and mint green glow has a fascinating release story that sparked both excitement and confusion in the Fortnite community. This article explores the complete timeline of the Minty Axe’s release, its features, availability, and impact on the game’s cosmetic culture.
The Origins and Release of the Merry Mint Axe
Initial Announcement and Pre-Release Confusion
The story of the Minty Axe begins in the fall of 2019, during a time when Fortnite was transitioning into Chapter 2 Season 1. Epic Games had planned a special holiday promotion that would reward players who purchased official Fortnite merchandise from select retailers with a unique in-game cosmetic – the Merry Mint Pickaxe.
What made the release particularly interesting was that some GameStop stores began distributing code cards for the Minty Axe on October 25, 2019, before the pickaxe was actually available in the game. This created an unusual situation where players had redemption codes for an item that didn’t yet exist in Fortnite’s files.
Official Release Date
The Merry Mint Axe was officially released and added to Fortnite’s game files on October 29, 2019, as part of the v11.10 update (also known as the Fortnitemares 2.42 patch). This update coincided with Fortnite’s annual Halloween event, even though the pickaxe was themed for the winter holidays.
Prior to this patch, players who had received early codes couldn’t redeem them because the item wasn’t in the game yet. Once the update went live, those codes became active, allowing the first wave of players to obtain this exclusive cosmetic.
The official promotional distribution of the Minty Axe codes was scheduled to begin on November 6, 2019, according to various gaming sources, though Epic Games never publicly confirmed this specific date.
Availability Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 25, 2019 | Some GameStop stores prematurely distribute Minty Axe code cards |
| October 29, 2019 | Fortnite v11.10 update adds Merry Mint Axe to game files |
| November 6, 2019 | Wider promotional distribution begins at participating retailers |
| Late 2019 | Availability expands to multiple countries and retailers |
| Early 2020 | Most promotional codes expire or supplies are depleted |
How to Obtain the Merry Mint Axe
The distribution method for the Merry Mint Axe was different from typical Fortnite cosmetics, as it wasn’t available for direct purchase in the Item Shop with V-Bucks.
Retail Partnership Promotion
The Merry Mint Axe was obtainable exclusively through a promotional campaign that required players to purchase official Fortnite merchandise from participating retailers. Upon purchase, customers would receive a card with a unique redemption code that could be entered on Epic Games’ website to unlock the pickaxe in their Fortnite account.
Participating Retailers by Region
The promotion was available at select retailers across different countries:
| Country/Region | Primary Retailers |
|---|---|
| United States | GameStop, Target |
| United Kingdom | GAME |
| France | Micromania |
| Germany | GameStop Germany |
| Australia/New Zealand | EB Games |
| Canada | EB Games |
| Italy | GameStop Italy |
| Ireland | GameStop Ireland |
Redemption Process
To redeem the Merry Mint Axe code, players needed to:
- Purchase qualifying Fortnite merchandise from participating retailers
- Receive a promotional card with a unique code
- Visit the Epic Games redemption website
- Log in to their Epic Games account
- Enter the code
- Launch Fortnite to find the pickaxe in their locker
Design and Features of the Merry Mint Axe
Visual Appearance
The Merry Mint Axe is a redesigned version of the popular Candy Axe, featuring a distinctive mint green color scheme. The pickaxe has a candy cane pattern with mint green and white stripes, adorned with colorful Christmas lights wrapped around it. The head of the axe resembles a candy cane hook with a sharp edge.
Reactive Properties
One of the most appealing aspects of the Merry Mint Axe is its reactive feature. According to game information, the pickaxe is reactive and changes as certain in-game actions occur:
- The lights on the pickaxe illuminate progressively brighter as players get eliminations
- At maximum illumination (achieved after approximately 15 eliminations), all three light bulbs on the axe glow brightly
Categorization and Set Information
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Set | Frosty Fights |
| Type | Harvesting Tool (Pickaxe) |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2, Season 1 |
| Reactive | Yes |
| Animation | Standard Pickaxe Swing |
Community Reaction and Cultural Impact
Initial Reception
When the Merry Mint Axe first became available, it created a significant buzz within the Fortnite community. Several factors contributed to its popularity:
- Exclusivity: Being a promotional item rather than a typical Item Shop purchase made it feel more exclusive.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The mint green color scheme was unique among harvesting tools at the time, and many players appreciated its clean design.
- Reactivity: The reactive features gave it additional appeal beyond its appearance.
- Status Symbol: Due to its limited availability, the pickaxe quickly became a status symbol within the game.
Secondary Market and Controversies
The limited availability of the Merry Mint Axe led to a controversial secondary market for the redemption codes. Shortly after the promotion began, there were reports of:
- Codes being sold online at inflated prices
- Scammers creating fake codes or selling used codes
- Some retailers facing shortages due to high demand
- Allegations of store employees keeping codes for resale
Epic Games addressed these issues by warning players about potential scams and reminding them that the only legitimate way to obtain the pickaxe was through purchases at authorized retailers.
Rarity Status Over Time
When first released, the Merry Mint Axe was considered quite rare, as many players couldn’t access participating retailers or the promotion wasn’t available in their country. However, as the promotion expanded to more retailers and countries, its rarity status gradually decreased.
By late 2019 and into 2020, the pickaxe became more commonly seen in matches, though it remained relatively rare compared to Item Shop cosmetics. Today, it retains some status as a collector’s item, especially among players who joined Fortnite after the promotion ended.
Confusion with the Minty Legends Pack
One common source of confusion surrounding the Merry Mint Axe is its relation (or lack thereof) to the Minty Legends Pack that was released much later.
What is the Minty Legends Pack?
The Minty Legends Pack is a completely different bundle that was released on November 3, 2021, in Chapter 2, Season 8 – nearly two years after the original Merry Mint Axe promotion. This bundle was priced at $19.99 and included:
- Fresh Aura Outfit
- Minty Bomber Outfit
- Skellemint Oro Outfit
- Three Back Blings (Minty Multipack, Spearmint Satchel, Minty Mantle)
- Three Pickaxes (Minty Mountaineer, Freshbreaker, Triple Mint Scepter)
- Fire Mint Wrap
- 1,000 V-Bucks
Key Differences Between Merry Mint Axe and Minty Legends Pack
| Feature | Merry Mint Axe | Minty Legends Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 29, 2019 | November 3, 2021 |
| Acquisition Method | Promotional code with merchandise purchase | Direct purchase ($19.99) |
| Content | Single pickaxe | Multiple outfits, pickaxes, and other cosmetics |
| Availability | Limited-time promotion | Available in Item Shop and as physical purchase |
| Fortnite Chapter | Chapter 2, Season 1 | Chapter 2, Season 8 |
It’s important to note that the original Merry Mint Axe is not included in the Minty Legends Pack, despite the similar “minty” theme. The pickaxes in the Minty Legends Pack are completely different designs, though they share the mint green color scheme as a thematic connection.
Is the Minty Axe Still Available?
As of 2025, the original Merry Mint Axe is no longer officially available through legitimate channels. The promotional period ended years ago, and the redemption codes have long since expired.
Alternative “Minty” Items
For players who missed out on the original Merry Mint Axe but still want a similar aesthetic, there are several alternatives:
- Minty Legends Pack: Though it doesn’t include the original Merry Mint Axe, this bundle offers several mint-themed cosmetics.
- Candy Axe: This is the original design that the Merry Mint Axe was based on, available periodically in the Item Shop during winter holiday events.
- Other Seasonal Pickaxes: Epic Games occasionally releases winter-themed harvesting tools that share some design elements with the Minty Axe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly did the Minty Axe first release?
The Merry Mint Axe was added to Fortnite’s game files on October 29, 2019, as part of the v11.10 update during Chapter 2, Season 1. However, the wider promotional distribution began around November 6, 2019.
Was the Minty Axe ever available in the Item Shop?
No, the Merry Mint Axe was never available for direct purchase in Fortnite’s Item Shop. It was exclusively obtainable through the promotional code campaign that required purchasing official Fortnite merchandise from participating retailers.
Is there any way to get the Minty Axe in 2025?
No, the original promotion ended years ago, and the redemption codes have expired. The Merry Mint Axe is no longer obtainable through any official means as of 2025.
What’s the difference between Minty Axe and Candy Axe?
The Merry Mint Axe is essentially a reskin of the Candy Axe with a mint green color scheme instead of the red and white of the original Candy Axe. Both share the same basic shape and design but have different colors and reactive properties.
Will the Minty Axe ever return to Fortnite?
Epic Games has not announced any plans to rerelease the Merry Mint Axe. While some promotional cosmetics have returned in different forms, the specific promotional nature of this item makes a return unlikely in its original form.
Conclusion
The Merry Mint Axe holds a special place in Fortnite’s cosmetic history as one of the most unique promotional items ever released. Its introduction in late October 2019 during Chapter 2, Season 1 created a memorable moment in the game’s timeline, with its mint green glow becoming instantly recognizable on the battlefield.
While the promotion has long since ended, the Minty Axe remains a reminder of Fortnite’s evolving approach to cosmetics and collaborations. For those lucky enough to have obtained it during its brief availability window, it represents not just an in-game tool but a piece of Fortnite history.
Whether you’re a long-time player who remembers the original release or a newer player curious about this iconic cosmetic, the story of the Merry Mint Axe showcases how even a simple promotional item can become a significant part of a game’s cultural legacy.
