Fortnite Ballistic: Everything We Know About the New 5v5 FPS Mode

Fortnite’s taking a big step into new territory today with the new Ballistic Mode. Instead of building and running around in a third-person view, you will be playing in 5v5 matches in first-person view where precise aim and team coordination matter more than quick building skills. Curious? Want to know more about Fortnite’s new first-person tactical shooter mode but not sure where to start? You don’t need to look any further as here’s everything you need to know about Fortnite Ballistic mode!

What is Fortnite Ballistic Mode?

Ballistic is Fortnite’s take on tactical 5v5 shooters, similar to games like CS: GO and Valorant. The mode puts you in first-person view and removes its iconic building mechanics, focusing purely on gunplay and tactical decisions.

Basic Game Rules

Here are the basic rules of the Ballistic mode you should know:

• The players will play in rounds in Ballistic mode
• Each match splits into attack and defense rounds
• There are no respawns until the round ends
• A team needs to win 7 rounds to achieve victory, post which the match ends

If you are on the attacking team, your goal is to plant the bomb called the “Rift Point Device” at one of two sites, expectedly called A and B sites, on the map. Defending? Your job is to stop the attackers from planting it or defuse it if they manage to plant it.

The Rift Point Device takes 45 seconds to detonate after planting. If you are nearby when it goes off, you will lose your gear and get eliminated, so make sure to keep your distance. As mentioned above, the first team to win 7 rounds takes the match. After 6 rounds, teams swap sides, so you will get to experience both attack and defense.

You start each match with a Ranger Pistol and 800 Credits. Credits are the in-game currency you earn by getting eliminations and planting the Rift Point Device in Ballistic. At the start of each round, you can spend these credits on weapons and items.

If you survive a round, you keep all your gear for the next one, except for any consumables you’ve used. This creates an interesting economy where you need to decide whether to save credits or buy equipment.

Ballistic Map

Since the Ballistic mode is only releasing in early access on Wednesday, December 11, at 6:00 AM PST, it comes with a single map. The 5v5 game mode arrives with a brand-new map called Skyline 10, featuring two bomb sites – A and B.

The developers are testing the waters with the new Valorant-like game mode, so it’s good to start slow and gather feedback. However, the dev mentions that Skyline 10 is only the early access map with “more maps to come in the future.”

Fortnite Ballistic: Weapons and Gadgets

The weapon selection in Ballistic includes:

• Assault Rifles
• Shotguns:
• SMGs
• Snipers
• Pistols

You can also get utility items like smoke grenades and flashbangs. These can be dropped for your teammates or picked up from eliminated players.

Flex Gadgets

At the start of each match, you pick one of five Flex Gadgets that only you can buy and use:

• Proximity Mine: Place it on floors, walls, or ceilings to surprise enemies
• Bubble Shield: Creates a temporary bullet-proof dome
• Recon Grenade: Marks nearby enemies, even through walls
• Frag Grenade: Deals damage in an area
• Impulse Grenade: Launches players away from the blast

You can hold two of your chosen flex gadget type at once, but you can’t share them with teammates.

Fortnite Ballistic: Does It Have Ranked Mode?

Fortnite Ballistic has two modes — Ranked and Unranked. You might want to start your FPS journey in Ballistic with unranked matches to get a hang of things. There’s no penalty for leaving unranked games, and if someone drops out, they will be replaced automatically.

If you’re feeling competitive, ranked mode is available from day one. Just keep in mind that leaving ranked matches early will get you a penalty, and there’s no replacement if teammates leave. Your rank is based on your team’s average performance, not just the top player.

The best way to approach Ballistic on launch day is to focus on learning the basics. Get familiar with the only available map — Skyline 10, try out different weapons, and learn the economy mechanics as they can be a bit confusing especially if you haven’t played games of these genres before.

Is Fortnite Ballistic a Permanent Game Mode?

At launch, the developers have yet to confirm if the new Fortnite Ballistic mode will be added to the game permanently. However, there are signs that the 5v5 shooter mode might be here to stay. The developers have committed to building and improving the game mode with feedback while working on new maps, items, and other content.

So, much like the Fortnite OG mode becoming permanent after initial testing, players can expect Ballistic to release out of early access and become a staple if it finds success among players.

Don’t worry too much about making mistakes. Use the initial days to experiment and figure out the weapons and gadgets that work for you. That’s all you need to know to get started with the Ballistic 5v5 FPS mode today.