Which Fortnite mode launched as a five-on-five tactical shooter?

Fortnite Ballistic launched as a five-on-five tactical shooter.

Ballistic was designed around two teams of five competing across rounds in a first-person, objective-based format. One side attempts to plant and protect a Rift Point Device, while the other tries to eliminate attackers or stop the device. Players generally cannot respawn during a round, reinforcing the tactical-shooter structure.

The mode entered early access on December 11, 2024. Its format intentionally recalls games such as Counter-Strike and Valorant, with round economy, weapon purchases, site control, and coordinated team play. It was also notable within Fortnite because it used a direct first-person perspective.

The other choices describe different Fortnite experiences. Fortnite OG refers to a retro Battle Royale season or presentation, Fortnite Festival is a music-focused mode associated with Harmonix, and Fortnite Reload is a compact Battle Royale variant. Thus Fortnite Ballistic is the single canonical answer.