New Apex Legend: Ballistic (Abilities, gameplay and lore)

Apex’s new legend is Ballistic, a combat king who can carry a third weapon, give allies unlimited ammo and overheat enemy weapons.

Ballistic is Apex Legends' newest addition arriving in Season 17: Arsenal. Ballistic is 63-year old combat king returning to battle with the ability to carry a third weapon, disable enemy firearms and grant team-mates unlimited ammo and faster reload speed. Season 17 is set for release on May 9th.

Ballistic quick facts:

  1. Ballistic is 63 years-old and British
  2. Ballistic can carry a third weapon (via his passive: The Sling)
  3. Ballistic's tactical Whistler causes enemy weapons to overheat when fired
  4. He is an initiation legend and can single out targets
  5. His ultimate The Tempest grants infinite ammo, reload and movement speed to your party
  6. Your third weapon is upgraded to gold during his ultimate
  7. His look and lore were inspired by John Wick, James Bond and the isolation of COVID.
  8. Ballistic's trench coat was "key to his design" but a technical challenge for devs

What are Ballistic's abilities?

Ballistic's Sling is a passive ability that allows you to store and carry a third unmodded weapon (Video provided by EA)

Ballistic's Passive: The Sling

The Sling is Ballistic's passive ability and it allows him to store a third weapon. The third weapon can not carry any attachments, but will be upgraded to a fully-upgraded gold weapon during Ballistic's ultimate The Tempest. You will be able to access your sling via your inventory or character utility action.

You can access your Sling via the inventory or character utility action. A weapon in your sling can not have any attachments
You can access your Sling via the inventory or character utility action. A weapon in your sling can not have any attachments

Restrictions on sling weapons:

  • You can not put crate weapons in the Sling
  • You can not put kitted blue/purple/gold tier weapons in the Sling
  • Your Sling weapon must be a base weapon

Ballistic Whistler in action (Video provided by EA)

Ballistic's Tactical: Whistler

Ballistic's tactical ability Whistler fires a smart bullet from his revolver which if it connects with an enemy will cause their weapons to overheat when fired. If an enemy's overheat meter fills their weapon will malfunction and deal damage. Whistler's overheating debuff lasts 12 seconds or until the enemy's weapon overheats.

After locking on to a target the Whistler pistol fires a target-seeking smart bullet. Enemy weapons will then overheat if fired.
After locking on to a target the Whistler pistol fires a target-seeking smart bullet. Enemy weapons will then overheat if fired.

Whistler FAQ

Ballistic's ultimate The Tempest sends out a pulse buffing nearby allies (Video provided by EA)

Ballistic Ultimate: The Tempest

Ballistic's ultimate The Tempest sees him activate his backpack to send out a pulse affecting himself and nearby allies. The pulse grants those affected unlimited ammo and faster reload. It also increases movement speed while carrying a weapon.

However, it's biggest perk to Ballistic is it upgrades whatever weapon is in his Sling to the gold version.

Ballistic's ultimate The Tempest lasts 30 seconds on any party member affected.
Ballistic's ultimate The Tempest lasts 30 seconds on any party member affected.

Only allies near to Ballistic when he casts his ultimate will be affected by the buff. Once they receive the buff it will lasts 30 seconds. Allies do not need to remain close to Ballistic during the duration.

Once The Tempest ends you will have the same number of bullets you had when it began. So unfortunately you can't use it outside of combat to stock up on ammo.

Who is Ballistic in Apex lore?

August Ballistic Brinkman was a former champion of the Thunderdome games, a showboating performer and a combat king in his 20s. He was the first celebrity of the Thunderdome games, long before the Apex Game existed.

Ballistic is the newest Apex Legend coming in Season 17
Ballistic is the newest Apex Legend coming in Season 17

Ballistic reached rockstar level of fame, with his face on lunchboxes and all merchandise imaginable. Gibraltar "even had Ballistic posters on his walls growing up" according to Sam Gill, Apex Legends' Narrative Lead.

In the Thunderdome Ballistic's recklessness made him a big hit with fans. However, it would cost him those dearest to him. As a result of his peacocking, Ballistic lost both his wife and her brother Kitsyung in battle. It is a memory and mistake that has haunted Ballistic to this day, and the red sunglasses that Ballistic now wears belonged to Kitsyung, a reminder of the scars he wears.

Who voices Ballistic in Apex Legends?

Ballistic in Apex Legends is voiced by Robin Atkin Downes, a veteran of video game voice acting. Downes has been involved in over 100 video games including Destiny 2, Gears of War 4 and Metal Gear Solid 5. A worthy addition to the catalogue of epic Apex voice actors.