Get ready on December 11 for Ballistic, a brand new first-person, round-based 5v5 competitive game mode launching in Fortnite! Ballistic tests players’ strategy, tactical teamwork, and individual prowess and will launch in early access with Ranked and Unranked modes.

Ballistic launches with the Skyline 10 map, a starting set of weapons, and a limited number of items. Beyond launch, we’ll make adjustments based on player feedback and add new maps, weapons, and features.

At the start of a Ballistic match, players are sorted into attackers and defenders and can select one of five Flex Gadgets to use during the match. Attackers aim to plant a reality-tearing Rift Point Device at one of two sites on the map, while defenders do their best to thwart the device from being planted and detonated. A round is over if the Rift Point Device explodes, or either team is fully eliminated. After 6 rounds, players will swap sides, giving defenders a chance to be attackers and vice versa. The game is over when either team has won 7 rounds total.

MORE ON FLEX GADGETS

• Players can purchase the gadget they’ve selected and hold two of their Flex Gadgets in their inventory each round, which cannot be dropped or picked up from other players. When used correctly, Flex Gadgets can have a huge impact on the outcome of a round.
• Booby-trap sites with the Proximity Mine, shield the team with the Bubble Shield, mark nearby enemies with the Recon Grenade, flush players out with a Frag Grenade, and launch enemies and allies away with the Impulse Grenade.

UNRANKED AND RANKED

Unranked play offers a more casual Ballistic experience and has backfill for players who drop from matches. Ranked play is for those who want to test their talents against other players in a more competitive environment – the winning team gains rank and the losing team loses rank.

• Ranked matches will not have backfill. Players that leave Ranked matches receive a rank penalty and will not be able to join another match for a period of time.
• Matchmaking in Ranked Ballistic is based on the average rank of a party. We’ll be closely monitoring feedback around Ranked matchmaking and will make adjustments as needed.

For all the details on Fortnite Ballistic, check out the blog.