Fortnite jetpacks are finally here, three months delayed from the original February release date promised by Epic Games, but better late than never.
Now that they are available, Fortnite players will now have to learn both how to use jetpacks and the best times to use them.
How To Use Jetpacks In 'Fortnite'
The Fortnite 4.2 update finally rolled out jetpacks to the massively popular Battle Royale shooter, alongside the addition of a new gear type named "backpacks."
Unlike the purely cosmetic back bling, backpacks take up a slot in a player's inventory, like weapons and items. Backpacks can be collected from opening treasure chests or by picking them up, and only one backpack can be carried at a time.
Jetpacks are a legendary backpack item that can only be acquired from treasure chests. To activate the jetpack, players will simply have to press the jump button while in the air to get a quick lift.
Jetpacks offer a limited amount of boost, though, with the fuel levels represented by the indicators on the jetpack itself. If fuel runs out while in the air, the player will fall and possibly take damage, depending on the height. Fuel, however, recharges while the player is on the ground.
The green bar that will show up beside the jetpack in the inventory bar, meanwhile, will show how much usage there is left for the jetpack. Once the meter runs out, the jetpack will break apart.
When Should You Use The 'Fortnite' Jetpack?
The Fortnite jetpack is not really meant to travel, as its horizontal movement is pretty slow. In addition, it is not possible to aim while flying, though players can still fire shots and launch grenades. This is probably why jetpacks are partnered with shotguns for the limited time mode Close Encounters, which promotes close-quarter combat using jetpacks and shotguns.
Regular players will likely find value from jetpacks for basic navigation, particularly to fly to higher spots. With jetpacks in play, the vertical aspect of Fortnite maps has become much more interesting. Skilled players, however, might be able to use the jetpacks for greater mobility while lining up no-scope hunting rifle headshots.
What Else Was In 'Fortnite' 4.2 Content Update?
In addition to the introduction of the Backpacks item category and jetpacks, the version 4.2 content update for Fortnite also launched Solid Gold v2, another limited time mode where all the weapon drops are legendary, and revealed a new hero named Archaeolo Jess.
