Beginner Tips & Tricks for Fortnite Ballistic

Summary

• Lock in a Flex Gadget to suit your playstyle and help your team.
• Good crosshair placement is crucial for precision aiming and winning gunfights.
• Spend Credits wisely to upgrade your loadout, choose the right weapons, and make use of the map.

Fortnite Ballistic arrives in Fortnite as an additional game mode, departing from the traditional Battle Royale gameplay players may be used to. In this mode, players compete as two teams of five, taking turns attacking and defending two Plant Sites, all while upgrading their loadouts with the Credits earned through victories and eliminations.

With Fortnite Ballistic taking creative liberties from games like Counter-Strike, it’s no wonder that each game is as competitive as the last. However, with a bit of practice and certain strategies, players can dominate their games. Here are some beginner tips and tricks to improve every player’s performance in Fortnite Ballistic.

1 Lock In Your Flex Gadget

Picking The Right Flex Gadget Can Improve a Player’s Game

Flex Gadgets are the first item that players will be introduced to when loading up a game of Fortnite Ballistic, and while they are not the most important aspect of a player’s loadout, they can come in handy if players select the right one that suits their playstyle. Flex Gadgets can be chosen at the start of the game, with five options available. However, these Flex Gadgets cannot be shared with other players, meaning that once a player locks in their choice, that Flex Gadget will remain inaccessible to the rest of the team.

While players may initially aim to lock in their favorite Flex Gadget as soon as they get the chance, communication is key here. If playing in a team, be sure to plan accordingly, taking into consideration which Flex Gadgets are better suited for which members of the team. If a certain player is capable of using the Frag Grenade to a better degree than others, for example, ensure they have priority over that Flex Gadget.

Another key tip is to learn how each Flex Gadget works. For example, Proximity Mines shine at laying traps at the Plant Sites, while Frag Grenades function perfectly for bouncing around corners and into rooms to flush out enemies lurking inside.

2 Learn Good Crosshair Placement

Prime Your Aim Success

Good crosshair placement is a skill that will improve a player’s game in any of Fortnite’s modes, including Battle Royale, but is exceptionally important in Fortnite Ballistic. Given the game takes place from the first-person perspective, and virtually all weapons feature a sight that players can use for precision aiming, having good aim is going to be one of the main deciding factors for whether players come out on top in most of their gunfights.

With that being said, players should be mindful of where they place their crosshairs when moving through the Fortnite Ballistic map. Players can use common practices including pre-aiming around corners, centering the crosshair while moving through the environment, and holding their crosshairs at angles, long lines of sight, and key flank routes to minimize the need to adjust their aim should an enemy come into view.

Players must also be mindful to keep their crosshairs high, particularly at an enemy’s neck or head level, as they play. Doing so will make it much easier to land a headshot, which deals significant damage in Fortnite Ballistic.

3 Choose The Right Weapon For The Job

Weapons That Suit Your Playstyle Work Best

There are a variety of different weapons in Fortnite Ballistic, from the Nemesis AR to the Reaper Sniper Rifle. Each weapon has its own perks and drawbacks, leaving players to figure out which weapon is the right one for them.

Right now, one of the best weapons is undoubtedly the Striker AR, thanks to its pinpoint accuracy and solid fire rate for an excellent time-to-kill. That’s not all, though, as other weapons can also be viable if they match a player’s playstyle.

Looking to get close and personal and dish out great damage? Then the Hammer Pump Shotgun may be a good option. Players adept at taking opponents down with pinpoint accuracy may instead benefit from the Reaper Sniper Rifle or the Hand Cannon, especially if they can land consistent headshots. Players should be sure to experiment with each weapon, for they may be surprised at how solid each one is.

Running low on Credits and need to purchase a weapon? Consider
purchasing a cheaper option like the Hammer Pump Shotgun.
Weapons dropped by other players can also be picked up, and will
carry over to the next round
if players survive with them equipped.

4 Spend Your Credits Wisely

Upgrade Your Loadout For Success

Credits are an important currency in Fortnite Ballistic, as the amount of Credits players have in hand will determine how good their loadout will be for later rounds. At the start of each round, players will have the opportunity to purchase weapons, consumables, shields, and other items to add to their loadout, with Credits being earned through eliminations and victories.

While players may be tempted to just spend their Credits on the first item they see, they should consider their purchases carefully, as doing so can set them up for success in later rounds. During the first round, players will start off with the same weapon and only a limited amount of Credits to purchase the most basic items. During this initial round, it’s best to prioritize getting the essentials, like shields to boost health.

Moving on to the next round and onwards, players should prioritize getting their weapon of preference and then upgrading their shields, before using any remaining Credits on Flex Gadgets and consumables. This is because, without a solid weapon, players may be at a disadvantage, as they will no longer be on a level playing field like they were during the first round. What players should avoid, however, is spending too much Credits, as they may need some saved up if they are eliminated.

If players are not eliminated, their loadout will carry over to the next round.

5 Make Use Of The Map

The Map Provides Key Intel

Though the map feature may initially fly over some players’ heads, it can be an effective tool when paid attention to. The biggest benefit of the map is making callouts, as the names of each area of the map will be on display. The map can also be used to study each area, allowing players to make a plan for attack. For example, if players are looking to defend the A Site, they should note that there are two main points of entry from the enemy spawn, on either side, making covering both lanes vital for defending the area.

Another important aspect is the minimap, which will remain on screen for players to use. The minimap showcases the player’s location and provides the names of each point of interest for players to reference. While it doesn’t offer a full map overview, paying attention to the player’s surroundings via the minimap can be useful.

For example, if players are progressing around a corner, the minimap can give them a better idea of the area they are heading into next before they peek, helping to identify potential vantage points enemies may be using. The minimap also stays visible when players are blinded by a Flashbang or obscured by smoke, allowing them to orient themselves behind cover even when their vision is impaired.

Players can open the map at any time during their game by pressing M for keyboard, or the touchpad/change view button for controller.

6 Be Sure To Aim Down Sights

Aiming Down Sights Drastically Improves Accuracy

Fortnite Ballistic is a round-based shooter at heart, playing similarly to the likes of Counter-Strike. While players transitioning from one game to the other may notice some similarities, the gameplay of both games is significantly different.

In Counter-Strike, players find that hip-firing while standing still provides pinpoint accuracy, but accuracy generally degrades when moving, encouraging the use of a strategy called Counter Strafing to gain an advantage. While Fortnite Ballistic is similar in that accuracy is reduced while moving, hip-firing in this mode is not particularly effective beyond close range. Instead, since each weapon features a built-in optic, aiming down sights is the preferred approach for most gunfights.

For general practices, Assault Rifle and Submachine Gun players benefit greatly from pre-aiming around corners or crouching and aiming down sights when engaging an enemy to minimize their profile. While Shotguns are more forgiving due to their pellet spread, prioritizing aiming down sights with every other weapon will ensure maximum accuracy, especially for long-distance fights.

7 Be Smart With Your Defense & Offensive Strategies

Strategize With Teammates To Secure Victory

Players diving into Fortnite Ballistic will find themselves alternating between attacking and defending, with the attackers focusing on planting a Rift Point Device at one of two sites, while the defenders aim to stop them. These roles require players to strategize, and while strategies can be universal for both roles, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, when attacking, players should always ensure they have teammates with them.

While fully stacking one site can sometimes pay off, it is risky, especially if a competent team is defending either site. Instead, players should split up, sending a team of two or three on the offensive in the area with the most action, while the Rift Point Device carrier is protected by another player to plant at the targeted site.

Likewise, defenders must ensure they have players covering both sites at the start of the round. As the round progresses and the opposition is thinned out, or if their own team members are eliminated, defenders can then converge on a single site as needed.

8 Use Cover To Your Advantage

Cover Is a Great Tool For Avoiding an Early Elimination

With Fortnite Ballistic being a first-person shooter experience without the traditional building system, cover plays a vital role in shielding players from incoming damage. There is plenty of cover available throughout the map, such as boxes, walls, and other structures, all effective at providing protection. Players should make full use of cover during matches, as it is their primary form of defense.

Practices players should adopt include positioning themselves near cover before entering a gunfight, enabling them to duck behind it quickly if needed. Additionally, players should generally peek from the right side of an object, as this exposes their weapon first rather than their body, minimizing incoming damage while still allowing them to return fire.

Bubble Grenades can also serve as an effective form of cover in open areas, providing protection when planting or defusing the Rift Point Device.

9 Don’t Underestimate Consumables

Consumables Can Turn The Tide of a Match

When it comes to a player’s loadout, consumables are generally put on the back burner if players need to prioritize acquiring a good weapon and some shield. However, if players have a few Credits to spare, getting hold of consumables can be a game-changer.

There are currently only two consumables in the loot pool for Fortnite Ballistic, each with its own perks. The first consumable is the Flashbang, a go-to for many players for one key reason: Flashbangs have the advantage of blinding any player near them upon detonation, making them a great tool for breaching areas that enemy players are holding and generally making fights easier.

Smoke Grenades, on the other hand, are great for concealing a player’s position, serving as an effective form of cover when pushing around corners—or concealing players while planting or defusing the Rift Point Device.