Fortnite Cursed Treasure Hours are live on Saturday, November 14, with two separate start times for US players. This limited event boosts Cursed Sprites and gives everyone a special drop loadout, but the strongest bonus comes with a risky water penalty.
The event sits inside the Treasure Hunters season. If you need the broader context, read our Treasure Hunters start time and map guide. Here are the exact times and rules confirmed by Epic.
Fortnite Cursed Treasure Hours US start times
Epic scheduled two rounds on November 14. The start times are:
| US time zone | Round 1 | Round 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 2:00 PM ET | 9:00 PM ET |
| Central | 1:00 PM CT | 8:00 PM CT |
| Mountain | 12:00 PM MT | 7:00 PM MT |
| Pacific | 11:00 AM PT | 6:00 PM PT |
The first listing runs for two hours. Epic’s announcement gives the second start time but does not publish a separate end time for that round, so do not assume it follows an identical window. The safest plan is to log in a few minutes before your chosen start.
What everyone gets at the start
Every player drops with Lil Uzi Vert’s Lil’ SMG and a Self-Revive Device. That changes the early-game rhythm because you do not need to rely on the first chest for a usable weapon, and a knock may not immediately end your run.
Landing with a weapon also makes crowded points of interest more dangerous. Pick a landing spot with cover and a clear route instead of diving straight into the largest group. Save the Self-Revive Device for a position where an enemy cannot instantly finish the elimination.
How Cursed Sprites work during the event
Cursed Sprites appear more often during Treasure Hours. Carrying one increases your chance of finding rarer Sprite variants, but water damages you while the curse is active. Epic also added a visual effect to show when that water damage is happening.
The tradeoff is simple: better Sprite odds in exchange for a terrain hazard. Before picking up a Cursed Sprite, look at your planned route. A path across rivers, flooded low ground, or open shoreline can turn the bonus into a liability. Routes over roads, bridges, hills, and rooftops reduce that risk.
The official v43.10 update notes confirm the two-round schedule, the boosted Cursed Sprites, Lil’ SMG, and the water penalty.
Best way to prepare
- Update early: install the latest game update before the round begins.
- Enable sound visualization: Epic strengthened its indicator and added above-or-below arrows for chests.
- Favor dry rotations: mark bridges and high ground before carrying a Cursed Sprite.
- Use the free SMG immediately: protect your landing instead of searching empty-handed.
- Keep an exit route: a rare Sprite is not worth getting trapped in damaging water.
If you plan to fight a named Captain as well, our Buggy boss location and drops guide explains where to find the current boss and what he awards.
Are there free cosmetic rewards?
Epic’s event post describes the loadout and Sprite effects, but it does not announce a free skin, pickaxe, or other permanent cosmetic for participating. Treat posts promising an unlisted reward or a redeem code with caution. This is a gameplay event, not a code drop.
The value comes from the unusual starting gear and boosted Sprite hunt. Join at one of the confirmed US start times, plan a dry route, and use the Self-Revive Device as insurance rather than a reason to take a reckless fight.