Halo Reach: Tips and Information About the Jet Pack Ability

The Jet Pack is one of the new abilities in the newest installment, Halo Reach, in the extremely popular gaming series Halo. Honestly, the Jet Pack brings me back to the days of playing Tribes, another (although lesser known these days) Sci-Fi shooter. Of all the abilities within Halo Reach's arsenal, which include (aside from the Jet Pack): Sprint, Active Camo, Armor Lock, and more, the Jet Pack itself is a fan favorite. When used correctly the Jet Pack can be a great asset to a player if correctly utilized on the battle field.

See the Jet Pack in use by clicking here.

The Jet Pack is great, but it has large, detrimental drawbacks when used improperly or poorly. For example, when flying in wide, open areas players are easily distinguished and shot down. While taking damage in the air, you may (depending on how far you fall) take fall damage when you hit the ground. It's best to either take small jumps to minisculely higher platforms or levels, or stick to the outskirts of levels to avoid detection from enemy players.

Aside from the fall damage drawback, the Jet Pack is very noisy and pretty slow overall. The initial pick-up from the Jet Pack lags behind, so you use most of your energy is used to merely make it off of the ground.

But that's enough of the negatives of the Jet Pack, now for the positives:
-The Jet Pack is great for flanking;
-Increases your mobility;
-Allows you to get to areas you normally wouldn't be able to get to;
-You get extra points while killing someone in mid-air while using the Jet Pack;
-Using the Jet Pack can be used evasively to run and/or take cover while taking fire; and
-It's good for scouting areas, especially hilly areas or areas with high vertical topography;
-Overall, flying is just cool.

In order to mitigate fall damage here is a technique that I personally use:
While you may be falling from a height in which you will take fall damage your bar will replenish slightly over time. Before hitting the ground try and "feather" (feather meaning don't hold the Left Bumper, but press and release, and then recycle). This will help mitigate or even eliminate damage taken from the fall. Also, this "feathering" technique can be used to help conserve energy while utilizing the Jet Pack in regular flight.

My opinion: The Jet Pack is a great tool overall. However, sometimes, depending on the enemy team and the game objective at hand, it may not be your best option. Use the Jet Pack with care and diligence. Once mastered, the Jet Pack is a tool that can be utilized offensively and defensively.