TL;DR
- Ballistic is a first-person game mode where two teams work to complete an objective.
- Players can purchase weapons and equipment mid-match, while each competitor also has access to a unique gadget.
- Every gadget has an ability that can help your team, and while some focus on offence, others provide defence.
- Our ranking offers comparisons between weapon types and gadgets, providing a glimpse into which equipment is best in Ballistic mode.
Ballistic is one of Fortnite’s newest modes, and it’s the only core experience that presents a first-person perspective. With gameplay similar to Siege X, every player has exclusive access to a powerful gadget, and a unique arsenal of weapons is also available.
If you’re getting started in Ballistic, then you may want to study up on which equipment is the strongest. Here are the best weapons in Ballistic, along with the guns that aren’t worth your time.
Fortnite Ballistic weapons and gadgets tier list explained
We’ve taken a deep look at every weapon and gadget in Ballistic to figure out which are the best. We considered factors like damage, accuracy, and function while ranking the gadgets and guns in Fortnite’s most tactical game mode.
How our Ballistic tier list was compiled
The info below explains the attributes of each tier in our Ballistic list so that you can easily understand our criteria and why each top-tier weapon is considered the best of the best.
- S-Tier: These gadgets and guns are truly the strongest that Ballistic has to offer, both due to their high damage and special attributes.
- A-Tier: Equipment in this category is incredibly powerful, but isn’t quite the best due to a lack of special features or high damage.
- B-Tier: Guns ranked here often have a downside or two, like high recoil or a small ammo magazine, but they’re still very viable.
- C-Tier: These guns and gadgets either have many disadvantages or limited function.
- D-Tier: This tier represents the weakest equipment in Ballistic mode due to bad stats and minimal damage.
Fortnite Ballistic weapons and gadgets tier list in brief
There are dozens of different types of equipment to try in Ballistic, and we’ve compiled a simple tier list below that displays every item you can use as of September 2025. While ranking, we took into consideration maximum damage, recoil, abilities, and other basic factors about each weapon and gadget.
| Tier | Weapons & Gadgets |
|---|---|
| S | Proximity Mine, Fire Grenade, Nemesis AR, Enforcer AR, Reaper Sniper Rifle, Striker AR, Frenzy Auto Shotgun |
| A | Frag Grenade, Recon Grenade, Deployable Wall, Thunder Burst SMG, Sovereign Sniper |
| B | Bubble Grenade, Med-Mist, Hand Cannon, Burst AR, Hyper SMG, Veiled Precision SMG, Drum Gun, Hammer Pump Shotgun |
| C | Impulse Grenade, Overdrive, Machine Pistol |
| D | Ranger Pistol |
Ballistic weapon tier list
Our tiers below give a brief explanation of every weapon and gadget that can currently be used in Ballistic mode.
S-Tier
The Proximity Mine and Fire Grenade are the gold standard for gadgets in Ballistic, as they both allow you to deal high amounts of damage to enemies through strategic placement.
For weapons, you’ll find that the Nemesis, Striker, and Enforcer are all high-damage assault rifles, perfect for the mid-range encounters you’ll often face on Ballistic’s maps. Players seeking a long-range gun will find comfort in the Reaper Sniper Rifle, while the Frenzy Auto-Shotgun is the perfect option for fighting Fortnite enemies in close combat.
A-Tier
Frag Grenades pack quite a punch to enemy groups, but the Recon Grenade is arguably even better because it can help track your foes. Alternatively, the Wall can quickly grant you the high ground or block enemies off, so it’s also an A-Tier gadget.
The Sovereign Sniper only holds four bullets at a time, but it deals massive damage and has a powerful scope. Last but not least, the Thunder Bird SMG is one of the best submachine guns in Ballistic due to its high damage output in close-quarters combat, so it should definitely be on your radar.
B-Tier
B-Tier is home to tons of equipment because most of the weapons in Ballistic are simply average. The Bubble Grenade provides impromptu protection on the battlefield, while Med-Mist can heal your team in a tricky situation.
Moving on to guns, the Veiled Precision SMG has high accuracy, but the Hyper SMG is a better choice if you have good aim. The Drum Gun and Hammer Pump Shotgun are both challenging to learn, but they can take out multiple enemies swiftly if you’re able to hit all of your shots. Finally, the Hand Cannon is a power-packed pistol, though it’s also hard to use at first. B-Tier weapons are powerful, but they’re often difficult for new players to handle.
C-Tier
The Impulse Grenade and Overdrive kits are the only gadgets in C-Tier, with Impulse being the better of the two. Overdrive offers a speed boost, while an Impulse Grenade can launch you or an enemy across the battlefield in an instant.
The Machine Pistol isn’t completely useless, but it has a small ammo clip, so you’d be better off using the Hyper SMG if you’re seeking a close-range weapon in Ballistic mode.
D-Tier
Most of the gadgets and weapons deserved C-Tier or above, but the Ranger Pistol is undoubtedly the weakest weapon in Ballistic. As a starting gun, the Ranger simply can’t outbeat primary weapons like the Enforcer AR due to low damage and a lack of special functions, so we’ve placed it in D-Tier for now.
Ballistic’s arsenal is limited yet versatile
Ballistic is still very much a new mode compared to Battle Royale and Reload, and its tactical gameplay provides a fresh experience for Fortnite fans. Our list considered the best gadgets in Ballistic, along with the strongest guns, so that you can make an informed choice about how to spend your points mid-match.
Shotguns, SMGs, and even high-powered pistols are all in the arsenal for Fortnite’s first-person mode, granting every player a weapon that meets their expectations.
FAQs
What is the best weapon in Fortnite Ballistic?
The Nemesis AR is tied with the Enforcer AR for best weapon in Ballistic mode.
What is the best gadget in Fortnite Ballistic?
The best gadget in Ballistic is the Fire Grenade due to its high damage output.
What weapons and gadgets were added to Fortnite Ballistic in the latest update?
The Veiled Precision SMG and the Deployable Wall gadget were added to Ballistic in the v37.10 update.
What is the rarest weapon in Fortnite Ballistic?
Weapons in Ballistic aren’t rare, as you can buy any gun within a match. However, pistols like the Hand Cannon are generally less common on the battlefield.