On December 11th, Fortnite launched the beta version of ‘Ballistic’, a new FPS game mode that appears to draw inspiration from popular titles in the genre like Counter-Strike and Valorant. While Fortnite Ballistic has certain similarities with the two aforementioned giants in the tactical shooter genre, it adds plenty of new gameplay elements to set itself apart.

With the gunplay being completely different from the regular battle royale mode of Fortnite, Ballistic puts newbies and veterans alike on a level playing field. Whether you are just starting out with Fortnite or have 1000 hours in the game, you can find yourself struggling to climb up the ranks if you’re not aware of the fundamentals of this new game mode. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the top 5 tips that you need to know if you want to climb the ranks of Fortnite Ballistic and reach Unreal before the beta comes to an end.

Top 5 Fortnite Ballistic Tips & Tricks To Improve Your Rank

While there are a number of things you can do to improve your Fortnite Ballistic win rate and get a higher rank, we have only included the top 5 tips that will help you rapidly glide through the ranks and reach your dream rank before Season 1 kicks off.

1. Gunplay

As with any other tactical shooter, learning the gunplay of Fortnite Ballistic is crucial if you want to rank up. Remember, the gunplay in Ballistic is vastly different from what you’ve practiced in the battle royale mode, so it’s crucial to adapt yourself to this game’s meta.

For starters, you need to stand still to hit your shots. Running and gunning is generally a bad idea and you’ll find it impossible to land consistent hits if you don’t stop before shooting. Mastering the use of ADS is essential for improving your gameplay, as it allows you to move slowly while maintaining accuracy with your shots.

2. Utility Usage

Once you’ve mastered the gunplay in Fortnite Ballistic, improving your utility usage is the next step to becoming a good player. The new Fortnite game mode not only allows players to buy Flashbangs and Smokes at the start of every round similar to CS2, but it lets you pick from five different ‘Flex Gadgets’ that have unique effects.

Take your time to learn what each gadget does and pick one that you feel comfortable using. If you’re looking to take things to the next level, you can also invest time in learning lineups for your utility, which will give you an upper edge over your enemies.

3. Aim Training

In any tactical FPS, having a good aim is necessary to climb the ranks, and Fortnite Ballistic is no exception either. Mastering the utility usage and recoil patterns are pointless if you can’t hit your enemy’s head before they can hit yours, which is why you should spend time practicing this game mode and focus on hitting consistent headshots.

You can also download third-party aim trainers like Aimlabs or Kovaak’s if you want to refine your aim further.

4. Game Sense

Having good aim can only take you so far in Fortnite Ballistic. While game sense won’t be enough to compensate for poor aim, having great aim without game sense is equally ineffective.

Game sense is something that you’ll develop over time, but you’ll have to actively put effort into it. Always try to make unpredictable plays, and focus on guessing what your enemies will do next.

With good game sense, you’ll be able to outplay your opponents at every step, anticipate their moves, and make smarter decisions, ultimately boosting your win rates and climbing the ranks more efficiently.

5. Leaving Games

Leaving a match mid-game is one of the worst things you can do in Fortnite Ballistic. Not only will you lose elo for leaving a ranked game that’s already in progress, but you’ll also be penalized and may be suspended from queuing for up to 12 hours. If you get disconnected from a ranked match, you’ll get a 3-minute grace period to reconnect before the penalty is applied.

Never leave a ranked Ballistic match mid-game, and always do your best to secure a few rounds, even if you feel like you’re going to lose. Winning just a couple of rounds can significantly reduce your elo losses and, in many situations, help you avoid deranking.