Fortnite’s Ballistic Mode Gets a Major Upgrade with Playable “Shell” Maps and New Gear

By Brian k. Neal

A new update for Fortnite‘s Ballistic game mode is on the horizon, which will allow players to test out in-development maps for Epic Games. Called “Shell” maps, players will get the chance to play Ballistic on unfinished arenas and provide feedback to Epic as to what’s good about them and, more importantly, what needs changing. Two new maps will debut Ballistic’s upcoming update, with lots more on the way as players continue exploring Fortnite‘s Chapter 6 Season 2 cycle.

Fortnite has changed drastically over the last few years, with Chapter 6 Season 2 being an exceptionally exciting update for the free-to-play title. Filled with new characters, quests, locations, and weapons, Fortnite‘s current season has made a big impact on the community. New additions to Fortnite‘s arsenal, like the Pump & Dump, have shaken things up quite a bit, with new landmarks such as Crime City and Seaport City providing some much-needed variety in locations. However, if players grow tired of the base battle royale experience, they can head over to Ballistic, which is set to receive a big new update this week.

A new Fortnite Ballistic update drops on April 8 and will give players the ability to test out maps for the game mode. Epic Games calls these “Shell” maps and wants to hear the community’s thoughts on two specific arenas at the start. First is Hammerfall, a castle-themed space featuring a few “iconic landmarks” and a lot of tight spaces. The second map players will get to explore in Fortnite‘s Ballistic mode is Storm Chase Cove, which makes traversal a priority. The brief trailer shows a lot of vertical platforms and gameplay, likely making it a haven for those looking to make creative plays.

–Aside from maps, Fortnite‘s new Ballistic update also includes a few new items. The first is the Sovereign sniper rifle, which is cheaper and provides players with more freedom and mobility. A new utility called Overdrive will also be added. When used, this item will boost players’ movement, reload, and weapon swap speeds, providing a great advantage in both early-round gameplay and late-game play. Ballistic is one of the newer modes to join the Fortnite family, debuting in December 2024, but remains one of its most interesting thanks to it being a first-person experience.

Fortnite is in the middle of its Chapter 6 Season 2 update, which has seen icons like Mortal Kombat‘s Scorpion and Sub-Zero make their way into the game, kits and all, with a few more exciting updates likely in the cards. This season is all about crime, turning Fortnite‘s main island into a paradise for those looking to break into banks and vaults. Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 ends on May 2, 2025.