What Is Fortnite Ballistic And Is It Worth Playing?
by Dana Sydorenko Last update: December 26, 2024
💡 Highlights
- Fortnite Ballistic is a first-person tactical shooter mode introduced on December 11th, 2024.
- Its gameplay is similar to Counter-Strike and Call of Duty.
- Players are divided into two teams of 5, taking on roles as attackers or defenders, with no respawns per round.
- Early access is available on all platforms, with only one map, Skyline 10, included for now.
- Ranked and Unranked modes are available, offering both casual and competitive gameplay experiences.
The Fortnite community has been asking for a first-person version of the game for a long time. Well, it seems the developers have heard them, although they offered something different, which was still a pleasant surprise for players. With the release of the Ballistic mode, Fortnite smoothly enters the territory of tough tactical shooters. I have already managed to play the new game mode, and in this article, I will tell you what Fortnite Ballistic is and how to play it.
What Is Fortnite Ballistic?
Fortnite Ballistic is a new first-person game mode in Fortnite that is totally different from the classic game modes like Battle Royale or Zero Build. The Fortnite Ballistic gameplay is closer to tactical shooters like CS2 or the Call of Duty series. Here, players are divided into two teams, do not have a respawn per round, and must plant or defuse a bomb, eliminating the opposing team along the way.
Release Date And Early Access
Fortnite Ballistic came out on December 11th, 2024, on all available gaming platforms and is currently in early access. So, if you wonder if Fortnite Ballistic is out, I have great news for you – you can already play this game mode!
How To Play Fortnite Ballistic?
Anyone familiar with tactical competitive shooters will quickly understand what Fortnite Ballistic is. And for fans of games like classic Fortnite, for whom this mode will be new, I have prepared some useful information.
Gameplay
So, what is Fortnite Ballistic in terms of gameplay? It is a tactical first-person shooter, the playing style of which will be most familiar to all fans of the Counter-Strike series. Teams are divided into 5 by 5: attackers and defenders. The goal of the attackers is to plant a bomb in one of 2 places on the map, which is called the Rift Point Device here, and the goal of the defenders is to prevent this. As in Counter-Strike, the round ends either with the explosion of the bomb or the death of all players on the team, and there are no respawns during the round. After 6 rounds, the attacking and defending teams switch places. The winner is the team that first scores 7 victories in the match.
Weapons
There are currently 9 weapons available in Fortnite Ballistic, each with a different price tag and available to purchase before a round starts. I’ve compiled them all into one table for my Fortnite Ballistic review.
| Weapon | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Cannon | A pistol with decent firepower | 800 |
| Hammer Pump Shotgun | A shotgun with a slow rate of fire but powerful at close range | 900 |
| Thunder Burst SMG | Standard SMG, fires in short bursts | 1100 |
| Hyper SMG | SMG with a high rate of fire | 1500 |
| Frenzy Auto Shotgun | A shotgun with a high rate of fire but less power | 1600 |
| Enforcer AR | The cheapest assault rifle but slightly less powerful than other ARs | 2000 |
| Striker AR | A powerful assault rifle that is effective at medium ranges | 2500 |
| Nemesis AR | Another nice assault rifle, effective at long ranges | 2500 |
| Reaper Sniper Rifle | A powerful sniper rifle for long range | 5000 |
Flex Gadgets
Below you will find a list of useful gadgets that will provide a tactical advantage during the round.
| Weapon | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Flashbang | Blinds nearby enemies when detonated | 200 |
| Smoke Grenade | Creates a smoke screen at the explosion site | 200 |
| Frag Grenade | A standard grenade that explodes a short time after being thrown | 300 |
| Impulse Grenade | A grenade that knocks players back when it explodes | 300 |
| Recon Grenade | Marks where the nearest players are | 300 |
| Proximity Mine | The mine explodes when an enemy approaches | 300 |
| Bubble Shield | Creates a bulletproof shield | 300 |
| Instant Shield | Gives you some health at the start of the round | 500 |
Unranked & Ranked Modes
In the Ballistic mode, both ranked, and unranked games are available, which are not particularly different in terms of gameplay. Unranked matches are great for both getting to know this game mode and just playing for fun with friends. Players can safely leave this game mode at any time without receiving a penalty and will be replaced by other players.
For those who like competitive games, there is a Ranked mode. In the Ranked lobby, the matchmaking system will select opponents based on the average rank of your team and not the player with the highest rank in the group, as happens in Battle Royale. How much of the rank you gain or lose at the end of the match will depend on your current rank, rounds won and lost, as well as the number of kills and assists.
Note:
In case of leaving the match, the player has 5 minutes to reconnect. Otherwise, they will receive a penalty and will not be able to join ranked games for some time.
About Fortnite Ballistic Maps
The game mode is currently in early access, and the only Fortnite Ballistic map available to players is Skyline 10, so be patient and keep an eye on the game updates. If you want to explore other maps, including those that help you gain XP quickly, then switch to the classic Fortnite modes – there are many interesting maps waiting for you there.
Will Fortnite Ballistic Be Permanent?
There has been no official information from Epic Games yet on whether the Ballistic mode in Fortnite will become permanent. At the moment, the developers are doing everything for the quick release of the full version. However, despite the early access, the Ranked mode has already appeared in Ballistic, and I think this tells us that the developers did not plan for Ballistic game mode to be a temporary event. In addition, a lot will depend on the players themselves. If this mode is not popular with the Fortnite community, then at some point, the developers may really stop supporting it. Even though, the mod is getting mixed reviews now, personally, I really like this mode, so I urge you to try it out so that it is definitely not removed!
Tips To Master Fortnite Ballistic
In general, the standard Fortnite tips will help you grow your skills. But I will also add a couple of recommendations here that will help you understand what Fortnite Ballistic is and how to play it efficiently:
- Understanding the map, the names of its locations, and how you and the enemy move is essential for winning matches. Moreover, now it is even easier since only one map is available, Skyline 10.
- Team play and coordination of actions are extremely important. Your tactics and strategies for the attacking and defending sides will differ and constantly change, adapting to the enemy’s actions.
- Good aim and correct crosshair placement will also improve your game. Always keep the sight at the level of the shoulders and head of the expected enemy at every moment of the game. This way, you will need less time to adjust the sight when the enemy appears.
- Study the spray of all weapons and practice controlling the spray of each of them.
- Remember that shooting on the move is less accurate than if you are standing still and is better if you are in a crouching position.
Looking For A Fortnite Team? Try GameTree
Want to try out the new Fortnite mode? Find other players for your Fortnite Ballistic team in GameTree! This unique app for gamers makes it much easier to find teammates. With an AI-powered matchmaking system, a variety of filters, and a playerbase of over 1 million players worldwide, building a team has never been easier! Install the GameTree app, fill out your profile, and enjoy Fortnite Ballistic in pleasant company.
So, Is Fortnite Ballistic Good And Worth Playing?
This mode is definitely interesting and pretty cool, plus it’s been done really well. While fans of CS2 or Call of Duty probably won’t rush to check out Fortnite with the new Ballistic mode, it’s a fun addition for those who already play Fortnite. It shakes up the gameplay and gives you something different to enjoy with friends. In this review, I break down how to play Fortnite Ballistic, and honestly, I think it’s the best thing Epic Games has released in 2024. Definitely give it a shot!
