Fortnite’s v40.10 update for Chapter 7 Season 2 arrived on April 1, 2026 with several limited-time changes that altered how you move and interact on the island. In addition to oversized character heads and rideable Llamas, the patch introduced a new shoulder riding mechanic that lets you climb onto a teammate during a match.
This feature changes how you position yourself in fights and coordinate with your squad. You can stack players, move together, and create unusual tactical situations that did not exist before this update.
What Is the Shoulder Ride Feature in Fortnite?
The Shoulder Ride feature lets you climb onto a teammate’s shoulders during matches for a short time. Epic added it as part of a limited April Fools event that runs from April 1, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET to April 2, 2026 at 5:30 AM ET.
You can use this modifier in Unranked Battle Royale and Blitz. It also works in Unranked Reload, though that mode excludes the oversized head effect included in the same event.
This feature arrives alongside other temporary changes:
- Finger Guns
- Rideable Llamas
- Fall damage immunity
- Large character heads (select modes)
You do not need to buy anything. The emote appears in your locker automatically when you enter an eligible match.
How to Shoulder Ride in Fortnite Step by Step
You can only use this feature in Duos, Trios, or Squads. It does not work in Solo matches.
Follow these steps to start a shoulder ride:
- Join a match with at least one teammate.
- Open your emote wheel — press Down on the D-Pad (controller) or B (PC).
- Move to the Social Interactions tab on the far right.
- Choose the Shoulder Ride emote to send an invite.
Your teammate must stand close to you and press the Interact button to accept:
- PlayStation / Xbox: Square or X
- PC: E
After both of you confirm with the short animation, the rider climbs onto the carrier’s shoulders.
What You Can Do While Riding on a Teammate’s Shoulders
When you take the top position, you handle offense. You can fire weapons, aim, reload, and engage enemies just as you would on foot. You can also loot chests and open ammo boxes, which lets your team stay supplied without stopping movement.
The player carrying you focuses only on mobility. They can run, reposition, and rotate across the map, but they cannot use weapons during the carry. In any fight, you act as the primary defender while they manage positioning.
Stacking adds another layer to this mechanic. Multiple players can climb onto a single teammate, and even someone being carried can lift another player.
- No visible height limit
- Multi-layer stacking
- Shared movement, separate combat roles
Can You Stack Teammates While Riding a Llama?
Yes, you can combine both features in the same match. You’re able to carry a teammate on your shoulders while you ride a Llama at the same time.
Both mechanics appear during the April Fools update, and rideable Llamas spawn across the Chapter 7 Season 2 map. If you find one, you can:
- Mount the Llama
- Have a teammate hop onto your shoulders
- Move together as a stacked group
This setup lets you use shoulder stacking and Llama riding simultaneously without restrictions.
Will Shoulder Riding Remain After April 2?
You cannot assume Shoulder Riding will disappear immediately after April 2. A Fortnite developer has indicated that strong player feedback could influence whether the feature stays active beyond the April Fools window.
At this stage, no official confirmation guarantees it will become permanent.
Two mechanics stand out as potential long-term additions:
- Shoulder Riding
- Rideable Llamas
You will likely receive a clear decision once the limited-time event period officially ends.
