Epic Games has released the v34.30 update for Fortnite Ballistic on April 7, 2025, introducing a new Test Grounds playlist that replaces unranked Ballistic. The update brings two new shell maps, powerful gadgets, fresh weapons, and launches the first ranked season alongside numerous performance improvements and bug fixes.
Test Grounds Playlist Transforms Unranked Ballistic Experience
The v34.30 update marks a significant shift for Fortnite Ballistic, introducing the Test Grounds playlist that completely replaces the previous unranked mode. This new playlist serves as a testing environment for players to experience shell maps and provide feedback on gameplay elements before they potentially make their way into the ranked experience.
New Shell Maps Expand Tactical Possibilities
Test Grounds introduces two brand-new shell maps that offer distinct environments and strategic opportunities. These will rotate with the existing Skyline 10 map based on players' recently played maps, ensuring variety in gameplay experiences.
Hammer Fall: Medieval Fortress Combat
The first new shell map, Hammer Fall, transports players to a sprawling medieval fortress complete with towering belfries and strategic choke points. This vertically-oriented map challenges teams to adapt their tactics to multi-level engagements.
Storm Chaser Cove: Beachside Warfare
The second addition, Storm Chaser Cove, offers a stark contrast with its beach resort setting. The map's open spaces and elevation changes create perfect opportunities for utilizing grenades and mobility gadgets effectively.
New Gadgets and Weapons Expand Arsenal Options
The update introduces four major additions to the Ballistic arsenal, with two new gadgets and two new weapons that significantly expand tactical options for players.
Fire Grenade: Area Control Specialist
The new Fire Grenade creates area-of-effect damage with lingering flames, making it perfect for denying space to enemy teams or flushing opponents from cover.
Overdrive: Speed Demon Utility
The Overdrive gadget offers a significant boost to player mobility and actions, increasing movement speed, reload speed, weapon swap speed, and even accelerating Rift Point Device interactions. This utility gadget can be the difference-maker in close rounds.
What New Weapons Are Coming to Ballistic?
Two new weapons join the Ballistic arsenal, each offering unique advantages:
- Burst Assault Rifle: This precision weapon fires three-round bursts with high accuracy and damage, perfect for mid-range engagements.
- Sovereign Sniper: A lightweight sniper rifle that trades some damage for a faster firing rate compared to the Reaper, allowing for more aggressive sniping playstyles.
First Ranked Season Launches with Complete Rank Reset
The v34.30 update kicks off the first official ranked season for Ballistic, dubbed "R&D Season 1" (Refine and Design). All previous ranks have been reset, requiring players to complete at least one match to establish their new rank.
Ranked matches are now based on party average rank, with performance metrics including wins/losses, rounds, eliminations, and assists all affecting rank progression. This system aims to create more balanced and competitive matches across all skill levels.
Performance Improvements and Bug Fixes
Epic Games has addressed numerous technical issues with this update, focusing on improving the overall experience across all platforms. Load times have been significantly reduced, especially on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
| Improvements & Fixes in v34.30 |
|---|
| Fixed an issue where grenades could detonate planted Proximity Mines through walls |
| Fixed an issue where grenades would not deal damage to Bubble Shields |
| Fixed an issue where dropped weapons could persist into future rounds |
| Fixed an issue that caused a delay when opening and purchasing weapons from the Buy Menu |
| Fixed an issue where players could fall through the map on Skyline 10's B site |
| Fixed an issue where weapons could rotate while sliding |
| Fixed an issue where Fortnite would sometimes crash when leaving a Ballistic match |
| Fixed an issue where Fortnite would sometimes crash when eliminated in a Ballistic match |
| Prevented some incorrect and redundant notifications from appearing on the activity feed |
| Reduced load times for Ballistic on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch |
| Implemented several technical performance improvements |
What's Coming Next for Fortnite Ballistic?
Epic has already outlined several features in development for future updates, including a dedicated tutorial mode and a slot for secondary weapons. Players can expect further announcements in the next blog update scheduled for April 22, 2025.
Additional improvements in the pipeline include viewing the scoreboard after elimination, damage falloff adjustments for Flex Gadget explosions, and various audio enhancements.
Epic Games is actively seeking player feedback on the new maps, weapons, gadgets, and ranked system through in-game surveys, the Fortnite Battle Royale subreddit, and the English Fortnite Discord.