Finding those weird little ceramic statues has basically become a rite of passage for Fortnite players. If you played back in the original Chapter 1 days, you remember the "Search Hungry Gnomes" or "Hidden Gnomes" challenges that used to pop up every other week. Well, they're back. Fortnite Remix has revived the Chapter 2 map, bringing back that sense of nostalgia, but it’s also brought back the scavenger hunts. People are losing their minds trying to figure out where are all the gnomes in Fortnite Remix, mostly because they don't just sit out in the open waiting for you to find them. They’re tucked away in corners of the map you usually sprint past while trying to outrun the storm or avoid a sweaty build fight.
Honestly, the gnomes in this season aren't just there for decoration. Epic Games loves a good callback. In the original Chapter 2, there was this whole "Gnome vs. Teddy Bear" war storyline that played out through secret challenges. While the Remix season is shorter and faster-paced, these collectibles are key for anyone trying to max out their Battle Pass before the season ends. You get a massive chunk of XP for finding them, which is way more efficient than just grinding out eliminations in Team Rumble.
The Secret Spots: Where to Look First
You’ll find the first major cluster of gnomes near Holly Hedges. This POI (Point of Interest) has always been gnome central. If you land there, head to the nursery area—the place with all the metal shelves and potted plants. There’s usually one chilling right next to a birdbath. But don't stop there. If you head slightly south of the main town toward the small wooden shack, there’s another one hidden behind a stack of crates. It’s easy to miss because the lighting in the Remix map is a bit moodier than the original, making those red hats blend into the shadows.
Another hotspot is Misty Meadows. This is a nightmare to search because of the verticality. You’ve got all those Alpine-style houses with multiple floors and basements. Most players look on the street level, but that’s a mistake. Check the back alleys behind the shops. Specifically, look near the trash cans and the benches overlooking the water. There is a gnome tucked under the bridge that connects the two sides of the town. You have to literally drop down to the water’s edge to see him. He’s just standing there, staring at the lake. Creepy? A little. Useful for XP? Absolutely.
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Don't Forget the Landmarks
Landmarks are often better for gnome hunting than named locations. Why? Less competition. If you drop at The Orchard, which is just north of Frenzy Farm, you can usually find a gnome hidden among the apple trees. Look for the rows furthest to the west. There’s also one usually hanging out near the big farmhouse, specifically in the kitchen area or right outside by the tractor.
Then there’s Steamy Stacks. Most people just use the cooling towers to fly away, but if you actually explore the interior of the buildings—specifically Building 4—you might find one hiding under a desk. It’s a total pain to find if you’re in a rush.
Why Finding Gnomes Matters in Fortnite Remix
It’s about the XP. Plain and simple. The Remix season is a sprint, not a marathon. We only have a few weeks to unlock all the variations of the Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Ice Spice skins. Missing out on these secret challenges means you’re leaving thousands of XP on the table. Each gnome found usually triggers a "Secret Challenge" completion.
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Back in the day, these were worth about 20,000 to 40,000 XP. In Remix, the scaling is a bit different to match the shorter season length, but the impact on your level bar is just as significant. Plus, there’s the completionist aspect. There is something deeply satisfying about hearing that little "ding" when you interact with a gnome and seeing it disappear in a puff of smoke.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes you go to a spot where a gnome should be, and it’s just... gone. This happens for a few reasons.
- Someone got there first: In some versions of these challenges, once a gnome is collected in a match, it stays gone for everyone else in that specific lobby.
- The "Gnome Glitch": Occasionally, the prompt to "Search" or "Collect" doesn't appear. If this happens, try crouch-walking up to it or hitting it once with your pickaxe (though don't destroy the environment around it first).
- Phased Challenges: Epic sometimes releases these in waves. If you’ve seen a guide showing ten gnomes but you can only find five, it might be because the rest haven't "activated" in the game files yet.
Keep an eye on the "Hidden Quests" tab in your menu. Even if a quest isn't explicitly listed, it often tracks in the background. If you hear a high-pitched giggling sound while running through a forest or a house, stop immediately. That audio cue is the most reliable way to know you’re close to a gnome location. It sounds like a faint, mischievous laugh that gets louder as you approach.
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The Deep Lore: Are the Gnomes Evil?
Look, if you haven’t been following the Fortnite lore for the last six years, this sounds crazy. But the gnomes have a history. They were once part of a secret society that planted "slurp bombs" around the map. They had a rivalry with the Teddy Bears that culminated in a standoff in the woods near Weeping Woods. While the Remix season is a "greatest hits" version of the game, these gnomes represent the weird, quirky side of Fortnite that isn't about the Metaverse or giant concerts. They’re a remnant of the "Old Guard" of Fortnite storytelling.
Some players believe the gnomes are actually spies for whatever entity is currently controlling the Loop. Whether that’s true or not, finding them gives you a window into the smaller details the developers put into the map. It’s environmental storytelling at its finest.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Match
To efficiently find where are all the gnomes in Fortnite Remix, you need a plan. Don't just wander aimlessly.
- Drop Late: Wait for the bus to reach the end of its path. This gives you a better chance of landing at locations like Craggy Cliffs or Dirty Docks without twenty other people trying to shotgun you.
- Turn on "Visualize Sound Effects": This is the ultimate "pro tip" for any scavenger hunt. Go into your Audio settings and toggle this on. It will show a small icon on your screen for chests, footsteps, and—most importantly—the subtle sounds emitted by quest items like gnomes.
- Use a Vehicle: Grab a motorboat or one of the lowrider cars added in the Remix update. You can cover three or four gnome locations in a single match if the storm circle is kind to you.
- Check the "Hidden" Spots: Always look under stairs. For some reason, the developers love putting gnomes under wooden staircases in houses at Pleasant Park and Retail Row.
Once you’ve cleared the main POIs, head to the smaller landmarks like the Radio Station north of Steamy Stacks or the Weather Station on the snowy mountains. These spots are goldmines for hidden collectibles because they are rarely the focus of the main storm circles. Just get in, grab the gnome, and use a launch pad or a vehicle to get back into the action. You’ll be tiers ahead of your friends in the Battle Pass before the weekend is over.