So, you’re standing in the Fortnite lobby, looking at a blue-skinned space commander next to a banana in a tuxedo. It’s weird. It’s also exactly why the destiny characters fortnite side by side comparison is such a fascinating rabbit hole to dive down. When Bungie and Epic Games finally shook hands back in late 2022, it wasn't just another corporate handshake. It was a massive collision of two of the biggest live-service "universes" in existence.
Honestly, seeing Commander Zavala hitting the Griddy is an image that stays with you. For a lot of us who spent years grinding the Crucible or running Raids in Destiny 2, seeing these icons rendered in Fortnite's stylized, slightly "cartoony" engine was a trip. But how well do they actually hold up when you put them next to their original source material?
The Vanguard in the Loop: Side by Side Comparisons
When we look at destiny characters fortnite side by side with their Bungie counterparts, the first thing you notice is the "Fortnite-ification." It’s a subtle smoothing of edges. In Destiny 2, the textures are gritty. You can see the scuffs on Zavala’s shoulder plates and the ancient weave in Ikora’s robes.
Commander Zavala: The Titan Presence
In the original game, Zavala is a wall. He’s voiced (originally) by the late, legendary Lance Reddick, and his character model reflects that stoic, immovable nature. In Fortnite, his silhouette remains incredibly faithful. They kept the massive pauldrons—those iconic Titan shoulders that look like they could stop a freight train.
One thing that stands out when you compare them side by side is the skin tone. In Destiny, Zavala’s Awoken skin has a sort of ethereal, luminescent quality with subtle glowing patterns. Fortnite simplifies this to a flatter, matte blue. It works for the art style, but you lose that "made of stardust" vibe. Still, having his Ghost, Targe, floating behind him as a Back Bling is a touch that makes any Guardian feel right at home.
Ikora Rey: The Warlock’s Grace
Ikora is perhaps the most "natural" fit for the Fortnite world. Warlocks are known for their long, flowing coats, which usually cause absolute nightmares for physics engines. Epic Games, however, is the king of cape physics.
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Side by side, the Fortnite Ikora looks remarkably like her Witch Queen era design. Her robes have that deep purple hue, and the Ophiuchus Back Bling (her Ghost) is a perfect 1:1 recreation. What’s interesting is her face model. In Destiny, she has very sharp, realistic features. Fortnite rounds her out a bit, making her look younger, or maybe just less "war-weary" than she does in the Tower.
The Exo Stranger (Elsie Bray): Complexity Simplified
This was the wildcard. Elsie Bray is a robot—an Exo—covered in wires, plating, and a very distinct hood/scarf combo. Comparing the destiny characters fortnite side by side versions of Elsie is where you see the most technical changes.
In Destiny 2, her "skin" is a complex assembly of mechanical parts. In Fortnite, she looks a bit more like a person in a suit. The detail on her Pouka (that weird fish-ghost thing from Neomuna) is surprisingly high, though. Fun fact: many players actually prefer the Fortnite version of the Pouka because the animations are a bit more expressive during gameplay.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Collab
People think this was just a "skins for cash" move. Well, it was, but it went deeper. This was a "Double Crossover." While Zavala and crew jumped into the Battle Bus, Destiny 2 got Fortnite-themed armor sets.
- Titans got the Black Knight armor.
- Warlocks got the Drift-inspired kitsune mask.
- Hunters got the Oblivion set.
If you put the Fortnite "originals" and the Destiny "interpretations" side by side, Bungie actually did the harder work. They had to take Fortnite’s simple shapes and make them look like high-tech, space-magic armor. The Titan's Black Knight set in Destiny looks like a medieval tank, whereas in Fortnite, it's just a guy in a suit.
Why the "Feel" Matters More Than the Pixels
If you’ve played both games, you know the movement is night and day. Destiny is a "floaty" game. You glide, you triple jump, you blink. Fortnite is grounded, snappy, and—let's be real—jumpy.
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Seeing the destiny characters fortnite side by side in motion is where the brain-break happens. Zavala using a Grapple Glove or riding a dirt bike feels wrong, yet strangely right. It’s the "multiverse" appeal. Epic didn't just port the models; they adjusted the proportions so they wouldn't have weird hitboxes. This is why Zavala looks a little "slimmer" in Fortnite than he does when he's standing in the Courtyard of the Tower.
The Hidden Details You Probably Missed
The gear wasn't just about the characters. The pickaxes and gliders were deep cuts for lore nerds.
- The Lament: This chainsaw-sword is an iconic Exotic from the Beyond Light expansion. In Fortnite, it’s a harvesting tool. The side-by-side detail here is incredible; they even kept the Vex-core looking center.
- Sparrow Gliders: In Destiny, Sparrows are ground vehicles. In Fortnite, you hang off them like a hang glider. It’s a bit of a lore break, but seeing the different "Shader" styles applied to the Sparrows in Fortnite actually mimics the Destiny shader system pretty well.
- Investigate Emote: This is the most "Destiny" thing in the game. Your character pulls out a Ghost to scan the environment. It’s a direct reference to the thousands of times we’ve stood in front of a random piece of scrap metal waiting for Ghost to finish a dialogue line.
How to Get the Look in 2026
If you’re looking to recreate these characters or grab them now, you’re at the mercy of the Item Shop rotation. They aren't "Battle Pass" exclusive, which is the good news. They usually pop up during big gaming milestones or when Destiny drops a new expansion.
Practical Steps for Fans
- Check the "Legends of Light and Dark" Bundle: It’s usually cheaper than buying them individually.
- Look for the Javelin-4 Creative Map: You can still play the Destiny-inspired "Control" mode in Creative. It’s a great way to see how the characters look in a setting that actually resembles a Destiny map.
- Watch the LEGO Versions: With the 2024-2025 updates, these characters now have LEGO styles. Seeing a LEGO Zavala side by side with a realistic one is hilarious and worth the V-Bucks alone.
The legacy of this crossover isn't just the skins. It's the fact that these two massive worlds can exist in the same space without breaking the "vibe" of either. Whether you're a Hunter main or a "90s cranker," seeing these legends side by side proves that good character design translates across any art style.
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Go check your Item Shop "Wishlist" feature. If you missed out on the initial drop, tagging these characters for notification is your best bet to ensure you don't miss the next time the Light enters the Loop.