Starfield jetpack

The Starfield jetpack will be your best friend both in and out of combat as you jump around the Settled Systems.

Bethesda has included a Starfield jetpack in its upcoming epic. We’ve seen jetpacks in Bethesda titles before, but it looks like big improvements have been made to how they handle, and how soon you can get them.

We still haven’t seen if there are any Starfield backpacks or armor options that would unequip the jetpack, so the rocket boosters might be a default piece of equipment you get from the very start of the game.

Starfield jetpack combat

We first saw the Starfield jetpack in action during the Starfield trailer in June 2022. While battling the Crimson Fleet on Kreet, a moon of Anselon, the Spacefarer could be seen flying and shooting across a chasm.

This jump closely resembled the jetpack functionality seen in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. However, Bethesda have expanded on the jetpack’s maneuverability, allowing players to fly side to side. This ability to boost yourself in multiple directions provides the Spacefarer with greater flexibility during combat. As seen in the background of the Starfield release date trailer, the Spacefarer can use the jetpack to get behind cover quickly to avoid enemy fire.

The jetpack is also seen during the first few missions you get to play, whereas in previous Bethesda titles the jetpack has been a rare mid to late-game find or locked behind a high skill requirement.

Starfield jetpack exploration

Aside from dodging bullets, the jetpack is also a great way of exploring the numerous locations dotted throughout the known universe. You can use it to ascend difficult climbs, cross treacherous valleys, or prevent an otherwise fatal fall. However, the amount of time you can use the jetpack for any one jump is limited, so be sure to time your deceleration perfectly or risk becoming Starfield jam.

Starfield jetpack upgrades

Using the jetpack in Starfield consumes ‘Boost’, which appears above your health bar as you use it. Though it is consumed very quickly, it seems that Boost regenerates rapidly after use, making the jetpack best suited for short hops.

In the Fallout series, using the jetpack consumed ‘Action Points’ (AP) which would regenerate after a short delay. You could take a number of different skills to increase the amount of AP you had available, or how quickly it regenerated, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Starfield take a similar approach. Likewise, a number of items such as medicine, food, and drinks could further boost your AP and allow you to jetpack around for longer.

With the research lab and armor sections seen in various trailers, there is a good chance you’ll be able to craft specific upgrades for your jetpack.

Hopefully, we’ll see even more jetpack action during the upcoming Starfield showcase.