Ever been in the middle of a high-stakes Fortnite match, just barely surviving a 1v3, only to have your opponent suddenly start whipping around a bunch of yellow fruit? That’s the make it plantain emote in action. It’s weird. It’s slightly chaotic. It’s also one of those rare cosmetic items that managed to transcend being just a simple animation to become a genuine community meme. Honestly, if you aren't familiar with the rhythm of the "Make It Rain" variant, you're missing out on one of the funniest ways to flex on people after a victory royale.
Most people think emotes are just filler content in a Battle Pass. They’re wrong. In the world of Fortnite, an emote is a language. It’s how you talk to teammates when you don't have a mic, and it’s how you annoy the living daylights out of someone you just sent back to the lobby. The make it plantain emote specifically hits a certain sweet spot of absurdity. Instead of throwing around stacks of cash like the original "Make It Rain" emote—which debuted way back in Season 2—this version swaps the dollar bills for plantains. It’s a Rare (blue) emote, and since its release in 2018 as part of the Llama Bell set or sometimes associated with the wider food-themed cosmetics, it’s become a staple for players who don't take the game too seriously.
The Weird History of Throwing Fruit in Fortnite
Why plantains? Why not bananas? Well, Epic Games has a long-standing obsession with Peely, the sentient banana skin that has roughly a thousand different versions by now. But the make it plantain emote feels different. It’s a remix. It first popped up in the Item Shop for 500 V-Bucks, and since then, it has cycled in and out, often appearing alongside other tropical or food-related skins.
What's fascinating is how the community treats it. There is a specific subculture of players who refuse to use "sweaty" emotes like "Laugh It Up" or "Take the L." Instead, they go for the surreal stuff. Throwing plantains at a downed enemy is objectively more confusing than just dancing. It sends a message: "I didn't just beat you; I beat you while having a potassium-rich celebration."
How the Make It Plantain Emote Actually Works
Technically, it’s a looped emote. Your character reaches into an invisible pocket, pulls out a handful of plantains, and tosses them into the air with a rhythmic, percussive sound effect. Unlike some of the newer Icon Series emotes that use licensed TikTok music, this one relies on a simple, catchy beat that feels very "classic Fortnite."
It’s the physics that make it great.
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The way the plantains scatter on the ground—it’s just messy enough to be visually distracting. If you’re playing in a squad and all four of you trigger the make it plantain emote at the same time, you can basically cover a small 1x1 box in fruit. It’s ridiculous. It's also worth noting that the animation is nearly identical to "Make It Rain," which was one of the first emotes to ever "drop" items in the game world. But while "Make It Rain" feels a bit dated and "try-hard," the plantain version feels self-aware.
Comparing the "Make It" Variants
There aren't many. You have the original cash version. You have the plantain version. Occasionally, Epic throws in seasonal variations, but the make it plantain emote remains the most popular alternative. It’s partly because the yellow color of the fruit pops so well against the green grass of the Chapter 5 or Chapter 6 maps.
People often ask if it gives a competitive advantage. Short answer: No. Long answer: Maybe? It doesn't change your hitbox, but the visual clutter of flying fruit and the sound of the beat can definitely distract a nearby player who is trying to listen for footsteps. It’s a psychological game.
The Economy of V-Bucks and Rare Emotes
Should you actually spend 500 V-Bucks on this? That depends on your locker. If you’re a completionist or someone who loves the Peely-verse, it’s a mandatory purchase. 500 V-Bucks is roughly $4 to $5 USD depending on how many you buy at once. In the grand scheme of Fortnite spending, it’s a mid-tier price.
- Rarity: Rare (Blue)
- Cost: 500 V-Bucks
- Last Seen: It rotates every few months.
- Vibe: 10/10 chaos.
Honestly, the make it plantain emote is better than most 800 V-Buck Epic emotes because it’s fast. You don’t have to wait for a long intro. You press the button, and the fruit starts flying immediately. In a game where the "end screen" only lasts a few seconds before you're kicked back to the lobby, speed matters.
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Why Content Creators Love It
Look at streamers like Ninja or SypherPK in their older clips, or even current creators who do "troll" builds. They use these kinds of emotes to bait people. There’s something about the sound of the make it plantain emote that acts like a siren song for aggressive players. They hear the beat, they think you're distracted, they rush in, and you trap them.
It’s also a favorite for "fashion shows" in Creative mode. If the theme is "Tropical" or "Food," the plantain toss is the go-to move. It’s basically the gold standard for fruit-based celebration.
The Cultural Impact Beyond the Game
It sounds crazy to say an emote has "cultural impact," but Fortnite is basically a digital town square at this point. The make it plantain emote has shown up in countless memes and short-form videos. It’s often used in "Green Screen" edits on TikTok where people overlay the character tossing plantains over real-world footage of grocery stores or kitchens.
There’s a nuance to the plantain vs. banana debate too. In many cultures, plantains are a staple food, distinct from the sweet bananas we eat raw. By naming it "Make It Plantain," the developers gave a nod to a broader culinary world, even if it was just for a silly joke. It’s that level of detail—using the specific ridges and shape of a plantain rather than a smooth banana—that shows someone at Epic Games was actually paying attention.
Common Misconceptions
One big myth is that the make it plantain emote was part of a limited-time challenge. It wasn't. It has always been an Item Shop item. Another misconception is that it’s "uncommon." While it’s not as rare as something like "Rambunctious" or "Fresh," it doesn't appear in the shop every day. If you see it and you want it, you usually have to grab it within 24 hours or wait another 60 to 90 days.
Technical Details for the Nerds
If you look at the game files, the emote is handled as a particle spawn attached to the hand bones of the character model. This is why it looks seamless regardless of which skin you’re wearing. Whether you're playing as a giant Hulk-sized character or a slim "Aura" skin, the plantains scale correctly.
The audio track is a 4-bar loop. It’s designed to be "non-annoying," meaning the frequencies are mid-range so they don't pierce through your headset. This is why people can leave it running in the lobby for ten minutes without losing their minds.
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Emote
If you already own the make it plantain emote, or if you're planning to buy it next time it hits the shop, here’s how to use it effectively:
- The Victory Toss: Obviously. But do it while standing on top of a pile of loot. It makes it look like you're turning their hard-earned weapons into fruit.
- The Bait: Use it behind a window in a place like Pleasant Piazza. The yellow movement often draws snipers to take a shot, revealing their position.
- The Squad Sync: If you can get your whole team to do it in the pre-game lobby, you’ll usually attract a crowd of 20+ players who just want to jump around in the falling fruit.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you're looking to add this to your collection, keep a close eye on the "Daily" section of the Fortnite Item Shop rather than the "Featured" section. The make it plantain emote is frequently tucked away in the smaller slots.
For those who are budget-conscious, wait for "Food-themed" bundles. Sometimes Epic Games bundles these emotes with skins like Beef Boss or Tomato Head, which can save you a few hundred V-Bucks in the long run.
Lastly, check your locker for the "Potassius Peely" skin. Using the plantain emote with the Roman Emperor version of a banana is peak Fortnite comedy. It’s a meta-joke that only long-time players really get, and it’s one of the few ways to show off your "OG" knowledge without having to wear a boring Season 1 skin.
The make it plantain emote isn't going anywhere. It’s a piece of Fortnite history that remains relevant because it’s simple, funny, and just the right amount of weird. Whether you’re tossing fruit over a defeated foe or just vibing in the lobby, it’s 500 V-Bucks well spent for anyone who appreciates the lighter side of the loop.