Step into a whole new dimension of Fortnite with Ballistic, the game’s groundbreaking first-person mode that transforms the familiar battle royale into a tactical 5v5 shooter. Swap your third-person view for precision aiming, strategic weapon buys, and intense round-based combat where every move counts. Ready to master Fortnite Ballistic and dominate from a fresh perspective? Here’s your essential guide to getting started on PC, console, and mobile.
Ballistic is not the same as the regular Battle Royale or Zero Build game modes and can be quite a change of pace for your average Fortnite gamer. Fans of the tactical first-person shooter genre will feel at home in Ballistic, but Fortnite Battle Royale players may need to take a little time to get used to the new mode.
Here’s everything you need to know about Fortnite Ballistic.
Fortnite Ballistic first-person mode rules, explained
Fortnite Ballistic is a tactical 5v5 first-person shooter mode that removes Fortnite’s traditional building mechanics to focus on precise gunplay and team strategy. Matches are round-based, with players divided into attackers and defenders. Attackers must plant a bomb called the Rift Point Device at one of two sites, while defenders try to stop or defuse it. There are no respawns during rounds, and the first team to win seven rounds claims victory. After six rounds, teams switch sides. Players start each round with a pistol and credits to buy weapons and equipment, emphasizing tactical decision-making and teamwork over fast building skills.
Ballistic is an entirely different experience when compared to Battle Royale and Zero Build as the gameplay shifts to a first-person, 5-v-5 tactical shooter. Ballistic is currently in early access, so it is still subject to change.
There are two teams in Ballistic, the attackers and defenders. Attackers must successfully plant and detonate the Rift Point Device at one of the two sites on the map, while defenders must prevent the attackers from planting the device at all costs.
The round will end either when the Rift Point Device explodes or after every player on a team is eliminated, since there are no respawns in Ballistic. After six rounds, teams will swap sides and the roles will be reversed – attackers becoming defenders and vice versa. To win the game, a team needs seven total round wins.
There is currently one map available in the Ballistic early access – Skyline 10. Open up your map to see the entirety of Skyline 10 along with the names of each major location. Try to get familiar with these locations as someone on your team might call out that an enemy is at “Hotdog” or “Sushi,” and you don’t want to look in the wrong direction!
At the start of the game, you’ll need to choose one of five flex gadgets:
- Bubble shield – A temporary shield bubble that blocks bullets and projectiles.
- Frag grenade – Your regular grenade that will deal explosive damage in an area, but be careful as you can damage yourself with your own grenade.
- Impulse grenade – Similar to the impulse grenade in Battle Royale and Zero Build, this gadget will launch enemies and allies away.
- Recon grenade – Throw a grenade that will mark any detected enemies – even through walls.
- Proximity mine – An explosive trap that can be placed on the floor, wall, or ceiling.
After you’ve chosen your flex gadget, you’ll start the first round. All players will start with a Ranger Pistol and 800 credits, and you’ll enter the Buy Phase. During the Buy Phase, you can purchase guns, shields, and gadgets using your credits. You’ll earn more credits each round, but the amount you gain will change depending on if you won or lost, your eliminations, your survival, and if the device was planted. If you’re eliminated, all of your items will drop on the floor and they will not carry over to the next round. Try your best to survive or pick up items from fallen allies and enemies.
There are ten total weapons (including the Ranger Pistol) available in the shop. There are two shotguns, two submachine guns, three rifles, one pistol, and one sniper rifle.
Guns in Ballistic work a little differently than they do in Battle Royale. Ballistic’s guns have setrecoil patterns and they’re not all the same. For example, the Nemesis AR will pull your aim up and to the left, while the Striker AR will go up and to the right. Make sure to account for recoil by pulling your aim down in a certain direction depending on which gun you’re using.
You can change your reticle settings in the “Reticle & Damage Feedback” options under Game UI to “Show Recoil (First Person)” which will show recoil by moving the reticle away from the center of the screen.
The shop also features shields, consumables, and your flex gadget. The shields will provide you with 25 additional health with each purchase. Flashbangs and smoke grenades can be used to limit your opponents (or your allies) vision for an easier entry to the sites. Lastly, your kit will feature your flex gadget, which was what you chose at the beginning of the game.
Fortnite Ballistic ranked rules
There are no major gameplay differences between ranked and unranked play, but you can freely leave unranked matches as players will backfill any empty spots. If you leave in a ranked match, you will be given a rank penalty and you won’t be able to join another match for a period of time.
How does Fortnite Ballistic change the way I experience gameplay
Fortnite Ballistic transforms your gameplay by shifting from the traditional third-person Battle Royale to an intense first-person, round-based 5v5 tactical shooter. This change demands greater precision, strategic teamwork, and heightened environmental awareness, as every shot and movement count in a mode without building mechanics or respawns. The immersive first-person perspective intensifies combat encounters, emphasizing aiming accuracy and spatial awareness, while new settings allow you to customize your reticle, recoil feedback, and sensitivity for optimal performance. With objective-based rounds centered on planting or defending the Rift Point Device, Ballistic offers a fresh, adrenaline-fueled experience that blends Fortnite’s signature style with the tactical depth of competitive FPS games like CS:GO and Valorant.
How does the first-person perspective in Fortnite Ballistic improve my aiming skills
The first-person perspective in Fortnite Ballistic can improve your aiming skills by:
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Enhancing precision Shifting to first-person focuses your attention on aiming accuracy, crucial for the mode’s tactical, long-range combat.
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Minimizing distractions By turning off options like “Show Spread (First Person)” and “Show Recoil (First Person),” the reticle remains steady, offering a cleaner aiming experience that improves accuracy.
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Customizing sensitivity Ballistic features a separate sensitivity setting specifically for first-person mode, enabling fine-tuning without affecting other sensitivities. Experimenting with this setting helps you find your perfect first-person sensitivity.
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Optimizing visual clarity Adjusting video settings to reduce motion blur and unnecessary effects ensures a sharp and detailed view, which enhances your ability to track enemies and spot environmental details.
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Improving focus Ballistic eliminates building and editing mechanics, allowing you to concentrate entirely on settings that impact combat performance.
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Adapting to tactical gameplay The mode’s design, which includes bullet drop and travel time, encourages players to rethink their shooting strategy for more realistic combat.
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Refining controller settings Adjusting controller settings improves aiming speed, sensitivity, and input responsiveness, which allows for smoother equipment swaps and better targeting at various distances.
