How to play as Ballistic in Apex Legends

Apex Legends Ballistic art poster.
Credit: Respawn Entertainment

Apex Legends Ballistic art poster.
Credit: Respawn Entertainment

Are you ready to master the cool-headed, knowledgeable, and reckless Ballistic? With this Apex Legends Ballistic guide, you'll be able to use the famous Thunderdome combatant's abilities to their full potential, and your rivals won't be too pleased.

August Montgomery Brinkman, known as Ballistic, was introduced as a Legend in Season 17 of Apex Legends. He was a well-known Thunderdome gladiator but blamed himself for his brother-in-law's death during a fight and later went into seclusion. His decision to participate in the Apex Games stemmed from his desire to protect his son from the same devastating path that had befallen him.

Before diving into our Apex Legends Ballistic guide, you can take a look at the most popular characters in the game. We also have a guide that explores Conduit's abilities.

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Credit: Respawn Entertainment
Apex Legends Ballistic entrance.

Who is Apex Legends Ballistic?

August inherited the Brinkman fortune, built on dubious dealings, but became an orphaned billionaire when his parents' schemes unravelled. Fueled by wealth, anger, and self-destructive tendencies, he found refuge in the Thunderdome Games.

Within the Thunderdome, August adopted the persona of "Ballistic," gaining fame with his wild and selfish combat style. His signature CAR SMG made him an icon of the arena, where he became the first Thunderdome celebrity.

Amidst the chaos of the Thunderdome, August met Sok Leng, whom he swiftly married. Together, they had a son named Nathaniel. August, Sok Leng, and her brother Kit Siang formed a formidable trio known for their unstoppable teamwork.

Tragedy struck when August's negligence led to Kit Siang's death. Consumed by guilt, August withdrew into himself, driving away his wife and son.

Nathaniel, both admiring his father's triumphs and determined to surpass them, qualified for the difficult Apex Games. In a move to protect his son, August offered himself in Nathaniel's place to the Syndicate, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his family and teammates.

Despite being 63 years old, August's background and skills make it clear that he is not to be underestimated. His fierce loyalty and willingness to sacrifice for those he loves to instil fear in his enemies.

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Credit: Respawn Entertainment
Apex Legends Ballistic points a gun at the enemy.

Apex Legends Ballistic abilities

Ballistic's classification in the Assault class adds to his appeal, making him a pretty desirable choice on the field. Well, his legendary special abilities are Passive - Weapon Sling, Tactical - Whistler, and Ultimate - The Tempest.

Considering that he is an Assault legend, Ballistic excels at engaging and controlling fights, shaping the battlefield to his team's advantage. His abilities are geared towards bolstering his squad while disrupting the enemy's plans.

Passive Ability: Weapon Sling

With the introduction of Sling, Ballistic gains the ability to carry a third weapon in a special sling. This allows him to quickly switch to this weapon by accessing via inventory or Character Utility Action. Besides, it provides a pretty crucial advantage in cases where ammunition runs low, considering that he consumes a lot of ammo. However, the sling weapon cannot be equipped with any attachments to maintain balance.

Tactical Ability: Whistler

Whistler serves as a disruptive tool for Ballistics, allowing him to launch a special projectile that modifies his enemies' weapons. Continuing to fire while under Whistler's effects will cause their weapons to overheat and damage them. To lock on to a target, you need to hold down the Tactical button.

Ultimate Ability: The Tempest

Ballistic's ultimate ability, Tempest, provides pretty significant buffs to his entire squad. When activated, this ability boosts the reload speed and armed movement speed of all teammates, granting them a crucial advantage in combat cases.

If we go into a little more detail, Ballistic's Tempest ability has a 3-second activation time and lasts for 30 seconds. Besides, his sling weapon will be equipped and immediately upgraded to gold.

Furthermore, Ballistic's abilities, particularly his Ultimate - The Tempest, have a pivotal role in providing buffs to the entire team while also hindering opponents with his tactical ability. This combination of offensive and supportive capabilities makes Ballistic a formidable force in the heat of battle, capable of turning the tide in favour of his squad.

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Credit: Respawn Entertainment
Apex Legends Ballistic points a gun at the enemy.

How to play Ballistic in Apex Legends

The critical thing to boost Ballistic's effectiveness is carrying high-effect DPS weapons in the third slot, such as the R-99, EVA-8, or Devotion, which are ideal for close-range engages where Ballistic thrives.

It's essential to remember that despite having infinite ammo with his Weapon Sling passive, Ballistic is not invincible. There's no suppression mechanic in Apex Legends, so accuracy and tactical decision-making are crucial. Making each shot count and avoiding reckless behaviour is essential for success on the battlefield.

Finally, you can't be sure which situation you're facing. For instance, if your team seems disorganized, don't hesitate to take charge and make some harsh decisions. So, open your microphone to let your teammates know that you're activating Tempest to ensure they're within range.