Can You Rocket Jump in Borderlands 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is a resounding YES, you absolutely can rocket jump in Borderlands 3! This beloved, albeit somewhat unconventional, movement technique has indeed made its triumphant return to the Borderlands universe. For veterans of the series and newcomers alike, mastering the rocket jump can open up new avenues for exploration, combat strategies, and just plain fun. This article will delve into the mechanics of rocket jumping, explore the best methods for performing it, and answer some frequently asked questions to help you become a rocket-jumping pro in no time.
Understanding Rocket Jumping in Borderlands 3
Rocket jumping, at its core, involves using the explosive force of a rocket launcher to propel yourself to greater heights or distances. It’s not an official game mechanic, but rather an emergent technique discovered by players who understood how the game’s physics and damage models interact. In Borderlands 3, this technique is still viable, providing players with an alternative means of traversal and combat engagement. The core concept hinges on the fact that rocket explosions deal self-damage but also impart a forceful knockback. By timing your jumps precisely with the rocket’s explosion, you can use this knockback to launch yourself.
How Does it Work?
The key elements to successfully rocket jumping in Borderlands 3 are:
- The Right Equipment: Obviously, you’ll need a rocket launcher. While many will work, certain launchers are more effective for rocket jumping than others due to their projectile speed, blast radius, and self-damage scaling.
- Precise Timing: The most critical aspect is your timing. You need to fire the rocket at the ground or a wall near your feet and jump immediately before the explosion.
- Movement Input: Proper directional movement is important for controlling the direction and distance you travel.
- Ground Slam: Many players also integrate the ground slam to either gain more height or cancel momentum.
Setting Up Your Controller for Optimal Rocket Jumping
Borderlands 3 allows for controller customization, and this can significantly aid in your rocket jumping adventures. By default, jumping is assigned to the left paddle (X on PS4, A on Xbox) and slide/crouch/ground slam is on the right paddle (O on PS4, B on Xbox). Using the paddles allows for more fluid movement without taking your thumbs off the analog sticks, allowing for more complex rocket jump maneuvers. Practicing with just the paddles will improve your consistency significantly.
Performing the Rocket Jump: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Equip Your Rocket Launcher: Select a launcher that you are comfortable with.
- Face the Direction You Want to Travel: If you want to go forward, face away from the direction you wish to move. This is especially important for distance jumps. For height, face the ground beneath your feet.
- Aim at Your Feet or a Nearby Surface: Target the ground or a nearby wall that is very close to your character’s feet.
- Jump and Fire Immediately: Hit the jump button (left paddle) right before you fire your rocket. It’s crucial to time the jump and firing as closely as possible to get the maximum boost from the explosion.
- Adjust Your Movement: During the launch, use the movement stick to maintain momentum or to change direction. Using a ground slam at the height of your jump can extend your airtime and distance.
- Practice: Rocket jumping is not intuitive, so practice is the key to improvement. Once you get the hang of the timing, you will get a lot more consistent with your jumps.
Which Rocket Launchers are Best for Rocket Jumping?
While technically any rocket launcher can be used to rocket jump, some are more effective than others. A few notable options are:
- Ruby’s Wrath: This launcher is known for its reliability for rocket jumps due to its easy-to-use firing pattern and consistency.
- Torgue Launchers: Many of these launchers deal a very heavy amount of damage with a relatively good area of effect that makes them good candidates for rocket jumping.
- The Plaguebearer : This Launcher deals a very good amount of damage and has a great radius that helps with rocket jumping.
- Vladof Backburner : This is a top tier rocket launcher for its damage, but it is also a solid option for rocket jumping due to its good range.
Experimenting with different launchers is beneficial, as you might discover some personal preferences. Keep in mind that direct hits from most launchers will function as a standard splash damage hit for the player, making rocket jumping possible with most.
FAQ’s About Rocket Jumping in Borderlands 3
1. Can you rocket jump with a direct hit?
Yes, direct hits from launchers do not alter their self-damage values, so you can perform rocket jumps as you normally would. The tightened splash radius and increased damage only applies to enemies.
2. How do you jump higher in Borderlands 3?
While normal jumping height is fixed, rocket jumping is the primary way to significantly increase your character’s vertical movement. By firing a rocket at the ground and jumping as it explodes you will be able to gain considerable height.
3. Is rocket jumping practical in Borderlands 3?
Rocket jumping is highly practical for traversal and reaching areas not normally accessible. It can be used to quickly move around the map and to engage in combat from unexpected angles.
4. How do I avoid self-damage while rocket jumping?
The self-damage from rocket jumping cannot be completely negated, but by using shield regeneration or health regen builds this damage can be mitigated. Also, using a higher health character can significantly help.
5. Are there any skills that help with rocket jumping?
While there are no direct skills that impact rocket jumping, skills that enhance movement speed and survivability (like health regen or shields) can indirectly assist you.
6. Can you chain rocket jumps?
Yes! With practice, you can perform chained rocket jumps to quickly cover large distances. Mastering these takes a lot of practice and precision.
7. Does rocket jumping work in all areas of Borderlands 3?
Yes, rocket jumping can be used in most areas of the game. It is still dependent on having a surface to blast a rocket on, but for the most part, that is not an issue.
8. Is rocket jumping harder in Borderlands 3 than in other Borderlands games?
The mechanics of rocket jumping are consistent throughout the series, making the skill level required to rocket jump the same throughout. If you could do it in other games, you can do it here.
9. What is the best character for rocket jumping?
Any character can rocket jump, but characters with higher health pools, like Moze, are able to take the damage from rockets slightly better.
10. What are some common mistakes when rocket jumping?
Common mistakes include mistiming the jump and rocket firing, aiming too far away from your feet, and not accounting for the knockback. Practice and getting a feel for the movement is essential.
11. Can you use rocket jumping to reach secret areas?
Yes, rocket jumping can be used to access numerous secret locations, shortcuts, and loot stashes that are otherwise unreachable, making it a valuable skill for exploration.
12. Does the fire rate of the launcher affect rocket jumping?
The fire rate itself is not as crucial as the consistency of the explosion. A good fire rate can lead to more consistent jumps if you can reliably hit the correct angle.
13. Can you rocket jump in co-op?
Yes, rocket jumping works the same in co-op as it does solo. You can use it to reach your teammates or to navigate through the map together.
14. Can you rocket jump with the Ruby’s Wrath?
Yes, The Ruby’s Wrath is actually one of the most popular rocket launchers for rocket jumping due to its consistency, projectile speed, and reliable damage for self boosting.
15. Is there a specific way you must perform the jump to be able to rocket jump?
There is no single method, but players should face the direction they want to move and try to jump as close to the explosion as possible.
Conclusion
Rocket jumping is a challenging but rewarding skill to master in Borderlands 3. It’s not just a fun trick—it’s a viable method of traversal and combat. By understanding the timing, equipment, and techniques involved, you can add another layer of strategy and enjoyment to your Borderlands 3 experience. Get out there, experiment with different launchers, and discover all the heights (and depths) you can reach!