Landing at the wrong house and getting sniped while looking at a blank map is basically a rite of passage for Fortnite players right now. If you’re looking for Captain Jonesy—or "Captain Jones" as the game calls this shield-wielding variant—you’ve probably realized that the old YouTube guides from a few months ago are completely useless.
The island has changed. A lot.
Honestly, tracking down NPCs in Chapter 7 Season 1 is kind of a headache because Epic Games loves moving people around during mid-season updates. Today, January 15, 2026, the hunt for Captain Jones is actually a bit of a trick question because of how the current storyline has evolved.
Where is Captain Jones in Fortnite today?
If you are looking for the specific Captain Jones NPC—the one wearing the Captain America-inspired suit—he is currently stationed at InnoLoop Labs.
This is a named POI (Point of Interest) on the new Golden Coast map. You’ll find him specifically roaming the ground floor of the main laboratory building, usually near the eastern entrance. He’s pretty easy to spot because of the shield on his back, but don’t expect him to be standing still. He likes to pace.
🔗 Read more: Venom in Spider-Man 2: Why This Version of the Symbiote Actually Works
Now, here is where it gets slightly confusing for people who haven't played in a week or two. In the latest "Born In Chaos" update that dropped on January 9, some players are actually looking for Vengeance Jones. While they are technically the same guy (it’s Jonesy, let's be real), the game treats them as different characters depending on the questline you're tracking.
- Captain Jones (The Hero): Found at InnoLoop Labs.
- Vengeance Jones (The Gritty Version): Also roaming InnoLoop Labs, but usually appears in the higher-security basement levels or the surrounding courtyard depending on the active "South Park" crossover event interference.
What does he actually sell?
You aren't just visiting him for a chat. If you have the gold, Captain Jones is one of the best NPCs to hit early in a match. He currently offers:
- Health and Shields: Standard patch-up service.
- Free Gold: If you're running low, he’ll sometimes toss you a small stack if you exhaust his dialogue.
- The Captain's Shield: This is the big one. It’s a Mythic-tier item that blocks incoming fire and can be thrown. It costs a hefty chunk of gold, but in the final circles of a Golden Coast match, it’s basically a win condition.
Why you can't find him at the old house
A lot of players are still dropping near the center of the map where a small desert-style house used to be. Stop doing that. That house was his location back in Chapter 5. We are way past that. The map has been completely overhauled with the Hollywood/U.S. West Coast theme. If you’re looking for a house with a fenced-in backyard, you’re looking at a ghost. The current map is all about the Golden Coast, and the "InnoLoop" corporation has taken over the tech-heavy parts of the island.
Dealing with the South Park Crossover
Right now, the map is a little chaotic because of the South Park event. Since January 9, 2026, certain NPCs have had their spawn rates bugged or their locations slightly shifted to make room for event-specific characters like Cartman or Randy Marsh.
💡 You might also like: The Borderlands 4 Vex Build That Actually Works Without All the Grind
If you get to InnoLoop Labs and the speech bubble icon isn't appearing on your minimap, it’s possible another player has already hired him or—more likely—eliminated him. Jonesy has a decent amount of health, but he isn't a Boss NPC with three health bars. A well-placed sniper shot from a player camping the roof of the lab will take him out, and he won't respawn until the next match.
Pro Tip for Finding Him Fast
When you're in the Battle Bus, look for the speech bubble icon that pops up when you get close to a POI. If you don't see the "three dots" icon over InnoLoop Labs as you're falling, someone might have already engaged him.
Also, watch out for the "The Bride" NPC nearby. Players often confuse the two because they both offer high-tier combat services, but she's located over at Sandy Strip. If you see a blonde character in a yellow jumpsuit, you’ve gone too far south.
Is he worth the gold?
Basically, yeah.
📖 Related: Teenager Playing Video Games: What Most Parents Get Wrong About the Screen Time Debate
The current meta in Chapter 7 involves a lot of high-mobility vehicles and the new "Oni Shotguns." Having the shield from Captain Jones allows you to tank those heavy hits while you close the gap. Plus, his "Free Gold" dialogue option is a nice little bonus if you're just passing through and don't want to spend anything.
If you’re trying to finish the "Heroes Assemble" or "InnoLoop Investigation" quests, you literally have no choice. You have to talk to him. Just make sure you grab a weapon from the nearby crates before you approach him. There is almost always a "sweat" hiding in the vents of the lab waiting for people to start the NPC dialogue so they can get an easy headshot.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Map: Mark InnoLoop Labs (southeast of Battlewood Boulevard) before you jump.
- Land High: Land on the roof of the lab first to clear out any campers before dropping down to the ground floor to talk to Jones.
- Bring Gold: Ensure you have at least 600 Gold if you plan on hiring him or buying the Mythic shield; his prices have spiked since the Winterfest event ended.
- Watch the Timer: If the South Park "Cred" meter is active in your match, NPCs sometimes despawn early if the area becomes a "Conflict Zone." Move fast.
The island is always changing, but for today, the man in the stars and stripes is definitely holding down the fort at the labs. Go get that shield.