Commanding your hired Specialist can turn a match in your favor, but Fortnite’s NPC system isn’t always obvious. Here’s how to get your Specialist Character to follow orders, fight strategically, and make teamwork with AI feel effortless.
How to hire a Specialist Character
Specialist Characters can be hired from specific NPCs scattered around the island. Approach an eligible NPC, interact with them, and select the hire option using gold bars as payment. Each Specialist type offers unique abilities, such as healing support, scouting, or heavy fire assistance. After hiring, the character will follow you and fight alongside your squad until eliminated or the match ends, making them valuable allies during intense moments.
Note that not all NPCs are considered “Specialized Characters,” but the in-game map will mark the locations of the characters that qualify if you select the quest. The specialist NPCs are Garrison, Longshot, Polar Patroller, Remedy, Triage Trooper, Sludge, Munitions Expert, and Insight.
As with other NPCs, all you have to do is approach and give them gold bars to hire them.
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These NPCs will do special things, like provide ammo or scan the area for enemies and items.
How to command NPCs in Fortnite
To command your hired Specialist Character in Fortnite, open the command menu by aiming at the NPC and pressing the interact button. A wheel of available actions appears, letting you choose between commands such as following, waiting, or moving to a marked location. Each Specialist type responds differently – for example, a medic can revive or heal teammates, while a scout can mark enemies or chests. Use these commands strategically during combat or exploration to get the most support from your hired ally.
Where are all Specialist Character locations on the map
In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 (current as of early 2026), there are five main Specialist Characters available to hire for 600 Gold Bars each. They are fixed at specific spots across the map and won’t roam.
Specialist Locations
These hireable Specialists provide roles like ammo, heavy weapons support, or medic aid. Here’s a breakdown by name, role, and precise area:
| Specialist | Role | Map Location |
|---|---|---|
| Carina | Supply/Ammo | Northeast Lethal Labs |
| Carter Wu | Heavy | South Latte Landing |
| Cat Holloway | Medic | South Humble Hills |
| Miles Cross | Heavy | Middle Painted Palms |
| Kingston | Medic | West Bumpy Bay |
Hiring Tips
Land near these POIs early, interact with the NPC (look for the hire icon), and pay up-they’ll follow and assist for the match. Other non-Specialist NPCs exist but don’t offer hiring. Locations match recent guides; check in-game map for icons if another player hires/eliminates one first.
What abilities do the Hired Specialists provide
Hired Specialists in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 provide unique support abilities based on their role, activated randomly while following you after hiring for 600 Gold Bars. They act as bullet sponges with high health (~400 Shield, 100 Health) and engage enemies aggressively, though their aim varies.
Specialist Roles
Each of the five Specialists fits one of four classic types (some overlap in Heavy/Medic). Here’s what they offer:
| Specialist | Role | Key Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Carina | Supply/Ammo | Drops ammo stacks, mats (Build mode), consumables like fireflies. |
| Carter Wu | Heavy | Throws explosives (grenades, firebombs); higher durability; deals strong area damage. |
| Cat Holloway | Medic | Throws Chug Splashes for splash heals on you/allies’ Health and Shield. |
| Miles Cross | Heavy | Explosive attacks (similar to Carter); tanks more damage; focuses on enemy eliminations. |
| Kingston | Medic | Chug Splash healing support; prioritizes keeping your squad topped up in fights. |
Usage Notes
They follow your commands (via radial wheel) and contribute to quests like dealing 200 damage to opponents-Heavies excel here due to firepower. Medics shine in prolonged fights; Supplies aid resource management. All can be revived/healed like teammates.
