How to better use the Jump Pack?

Though I know that the Jump travel power is the fastest one, I've had few characters with it. And my latest character won't bother with a travel power until she reaches her 30's. Until then I'll be using the Jump Pack temporary travel power, obtained from the Good Vs. Evil edition.
It's so practical but it only lasts 30 seconds and takes so long (150 seconds) to recharge...

What I'd like to know is how to best use it - quick bursts maintaining the altitute or using it all to reach the highest point (and then deal with the consequences; no worries, I can heal myself), reach rooftops and higher points from which to better aim the next jump, or what?

Thanks for the input, folks!

Best is to have Ninja/Beast Run on for forward momentum while using the jump pack. If you don't have Ninja/Beast Run, then an extra slot in Hurdle and Combat Jumping (for control while in the air) is the way to go. Then jump just enough to get yourself over the obstacles you need to - basically, get up there and then use quick bursts.

Pick up a temp flight power from either the first Mayhem/Safeguard mission or from the Flight Pack vendor in the ShadowShard/Grandville.

The temp flight power is already near the flight cap and the GvE pack will push it to the flight cap for 30 seconds.

Otherwise, get Beast or Ninja Run from one of the other packs and use GvE pack to get over those things that Beast/Ninja Run are too short for.

Thanks, guys!

Also fyi, the 30 second timer resets after going through a loading screen, so you can use that to your advantage if you need to go through multiple zones to get somewhere(assuming it takes you less than 30 seconds to travel Zone to Zone).


Also, the jump pack is affected by recharge buffs, so that 150 can be reduced quite a bit with hasten+set bonuses. At max recharge it would come back in 30 seconds. It can't be made permanent by any means, though, as it doesnt start recharging till after it goes off.

For me I use it in two ways.

At low pre travel power levels I use it to avoid finding stairs and getting to roofs of buildings.

At higher levels I use it to boost fly, if it's not already capped and make ridiculously long (due to maxing out the height) super jump (but the landing will hurt).

If you are a super speeder, it's really useful through terrain that isn't normally easy for a SS, such as Terra Volta.

It can always be used to break your fall by triggering it before impact by applying a short burst (jump) from it.

The bind I use on most of my characters may be helpful to you:

/bind C "++up$$powexectoggleon jump pack"

Not only does this syntax turn on the pack with no chance of accidentally shutting it off, the ++up works like holding down the jump key, until you press something jump again.

It's very handy for stopping falls, or for just launching yourself straight up to get over something tall.

I use the same bind as Lemur Lad (which can be a problem if I've been playing Guild Wars for a while, since C in GW is 'target nearest'... ). Jump Pack is really only for scaling obstacles or reaching high locations, not actual travel. I used to use it to supercharge Fly (Jump Pack also adds +flyspeed), but now that function is useless except with Hover.

Just an added note. The power from the Steampunk Pack is essentially the same as Jump Pack with a new graphic. The above bind will work just as well if you replace the power name.

It's exactly the same - except that the Steam Jump is on a 30s recharge while the Jump Pack's on 2m30s. :/ Just hoping that's an oopsie on the devs' part and that they'll change Steam Jump to match.

I hope they don't. I'd MUCH rather keep the Steam Jump at 30 seconds and buff the Jump Pack to be the same.

Well, I think it's ridiculous to even have a timer on these boost travel powers. If I'd known Steampunk was going to be the same thing as the GvsE temp, only a different animation, I'd have saved my money. Again, I realize I'm stupid for not coming to the forums first.