One of the biggest recent additions to Fortnite has been Ballistic, but it’s fair to say it has had a weird launch. However, we’ve gotten a bit of news about how the game will move forward with the recent Fortnite Ballistic update.
Compared to other new Fortnite modes, Ballistic has been different. It launched in early access, unlike the other modes. Which meant we were getting more of a work in progress. With newer changes, we have a better idea of where the Fortnite Ballistic update will be going in the future. Including bringing in more content and hopefully some much needed bug fixes for the mode. What can we expect with the Fortnite Ballistic mode over the next few weeks?
New Shell Map in Fortnite Ballistic Update
Source: Epic
Another new Fortnite Ballistic update is here. It’s adding another Shell map, which is the unfinished Fortnite maps which have been the main additions in recent weeks. Along with the fresh map though, there’s a handful of new features. We’ve even gotten some of the Fortnite Star Wars weapons from Battle Royale added for a limited time. These are the changes we’ve seen:
Cinderwatch
A brand-new shell map is here, Cinderwatch. It’s a Mediterranean town, with buildings and a town square. Similar to the more traditional location maps you see in other shooters. Nothing too out there or wacky. This is a shell so it’s just the rough design of the map. However, from the looks of the buildings we can expect this possibly resemble the Mediterranean buildings from Chapter 5’s map.
Gadgets Now Free
Source: Epic
There’s a big change coming to Gadgets in Ballistic. These will now be free at the start of the buy round rather than costing currency. You’ll be able to pick 2 to collect for free.
These gadgets are key to Ballistics economy. But that means we’ll need to adjust how the credits in the game work. These are the changes to them:
- Winning a round changed from 3300 to 3100
- Losing a round changed from 2500 to 2300
- Smoke Grenades cost increased to 300 from 200
- Flash Grenades cost increased to 300 from 200
- Burst AR cost increased to 2300 from 2000
Star Wars Blaster
Source: Epic
One unexpected update is a new Star Wars weapon. The blasters are all over Battle Royale right now, but they’re coming to Ballistic for a limited time too. Until June when the current Battle Royale season ends, the DL-44 Blaster Pistol will be available in Ballistic.
New Features
Those are the major alterations with the Fortnite Ballistic update. However, we’re also getting a new pistol slot in the game and a vote to surrender mechanic.
The pistol slot means your pistol won’t take up an inventory slot anymore. If you buy another pistol, it’ll replace the Ranger Pistol and avoid doubling up with weapons.
The other big feature is surrendering. Teams can now vote to surrender and take the loss if they want to. Given that teams have been stuck in clearly losing games (often because of other problems with Ballistic) this should cut down on frustration.
Fortnite Ballistic Update – V34.20
The new Fortnite Ballistic Update has come to the game along with changes like Fortnite OG Season 3. We’ve known about a few quality-of-life changes that are in the works for the game mode. There’s a decent number of changes here with the latest patch including a brand-new map.
Hammer Fall
The most exciting part of the new Fortnite Ballistic update is the fresh map, Hammer Fall. This is the new map in the “shell” style that was announced in the last Fortnite update. Essentially, it’s unfinished. But the geometry is all in-line. So, players will be able to jump into and get a fresh experience in Ballistic even if the map isn’t quite ready yet.
Source: Epic
Balance Changes
As well as the new Hammer Fall map, there’s some big changes coming to the loot pool. This is how the weapons have been altered to better tune the economy for Fortnite Ballistic:
Hammer Pump Shotgun
- Fire Rate Increased
- Point Blank Damage Increased
Frenzy Auto Shotgun
- Point blank and Mid-range Damage Increased
Thunder Burst SMG
- Damage increased
- Fire Rate Increased
Striker AR
- Damage Falloff begins earlier
Cost Changes
- Reaper Sniper – Cost lowered to 4,500 Credits
- Striker AR – Cost increased to 2,700 Credits
- Nemesis AR – Cost increased to 2,700 Credits
- Drum Gun – Cost reduced to 3,200 Credits
Fortnite Early Access Update – What’s Coming?
There’s quite a bit announced in the Fortnite Ballistic update, starting with new maps. These won’t the normal polished environments you’d expect from maps in a shooter though. Epic is releasing these new maps as “shells”.
Source: Epic
This is a designed map, with its layout and angles figured out. However, the environmental details aren’t finished yet. Meaning it might not be an entirely realistic environment yet. For gameplay purposes, it should essentially be finished though. These new maps will arrive in April, two in the month. It’s great to get content, even if it’ll be a bit rougher than other modes when Fortnite released comparatively.
They’ve also announced that new weapons and gadgets are coming to the game. Although, the exact details haven’t been released yet. Players can expect some substantial updates to the game’s soon though.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
The next part of the Fortnite Ballistic Update will definitely be welcome news. Epic has made a change to prevent the uneven team bug. Players won’t be mixed into matches against a much bigger enemy side anymore. Instead, games will go back to the lobby if team sizes can’t be fixed.
That’s the biggest bug fix, just because it’s been a frustratingly major bug in-game. However, there’s been a few other fixes too. Including on matchmaking, camera controls, and some other bugs which have been making a mess of games lately.
This mode is definitely the roughest of those Epic has released lately. However, with the Fortnite Ballistic update it is beginning to take shape here. We’ll likely hear more about the new weapons that are coming up in Fortnite news soon.