December 12, 2025
Fortnite Introduces Ballistic: A New 5v5 Competitive FPS Mode Launching December 11 Epic Games Unveils Ballistic, a Tactical Shooter Experience Bringing Counter-Strike-Style Gameplay to Fortnite
Fortnite’s New 5v5 FPS Mode Ballistic: Everything You Need to Know
Epic Games is officially stepping into tactical shooter territory with Ballistic, a brand-new 5v5 first-person mode coming to Fortnite on December 11. Designed to deliver a competitive, round-based experience similar to Valorant, Call of Duty’s Search and Destroy, and Counter-Strike, Ballistic marks Fortnite’s biggest gameplay shift in years.
🎮 What Is Ballistic?
Ballistic is a dedicated FPS “experience” within the Fortnite ecosystem. The mode features:
- A 5v5 competitive structure
- No respawns during rounds
- Attacking vs. defending gameplay
- A bomb-planting objective using a “Rift Point Device”
- Weapon and equipment purchasing each round
- Items lost on death, just like classic tactical shooters
Epic is clearly aiming to create a standalone sub-game—similar to LEGO Fortnite—but built for players who want a high-stakes, skill-based shooter.
🗺️ Skyline 10: The First Map
At launch, Ballistic ships with a single map: Skyline 10.
This map features:
- A stylish, neon-lit Japanese-inspired cityscape
- A sunset cyberpunk vibe
- Strategic choke points and multi-level lanes
- Two bomb sites for attackers to target
Though just one map is available for early access, Epic confirmed more are already planned.
🔫 Core Gameplay Breakdown
Ballistic closely mirrors the structure of classic tactical shooters:
- Start with only a pistol
- Earn currency throughout rounds
- Buy weapons and gear before each new round
- No mid-round respawning
- Attackers plant the Rift Point Device
- Defenders protect sites or defuse after a successful plant
The round-by-round weapon economy and unforgiving respawn rules push Fortnite players into a more deliberate, strategic playstyle than the fast-paced battle royale.
🧢 Cosmetics: What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Many Fortnite cosmetics are fully compatible with Ballistic—but not all. Here’s what carries over:
✔️ Supported:
- Outfits
- Back Blings
- Kicks
- Wraps
- Sprays
- Emotes
❌ Unsupported:
- Pickaxes
- Contrails
- Instruments
- Vehicles
- Jam Tracks
Epic seems intent on preserving the competitive integrity of Ballistic, limiting cosmetics that might interfere with visibility or gameplay.
🏆 Casual & Ranked Modes
Players can jump into Ballistic however they prefer, thanks to:
- Ranked playlists for competitive shooters seeking a challenge
- Casual playlists for learning the mode or playing with friends
Epic also teased additional weapons, features, and maps coming post-launch—so Ballistic is clearly built for long-term support.
🚀 Why Ballistic Is a Big Deal
Epic has made it clear they want Fortnite to be more than just a battle royale. With additions like LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and now Ballistic, the game is evolving into a multi-genre platform.
Ballistic also answers the long-standing question around Fortnite’s experimental first-person camera announced earlier this year. Now we know its purpose: a competitive shooter built directly into the Fortnite ecosystem.
The real test will be whether Fortnite’s signature movement and shooting mechanics translate smoothly into a stricter, tactical, round-based FPS format.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Ballistic could be one of Fortnite’s most significant updates ever. It taps into one of the most popular genres in gaming—5v5 tactical shooters—while leveraging Fortnite’s massive player base and iconic cosmetics. Whether it becomes the next major competitive mode or simply a fun alternative to battle royale, it’s an exciting new direction for Epic’s ever-expanding universe.