Yes, power armor can fly in Fallout 4, but with some limitations. While it won’t let you soar through the skies like Iron Man, the power armor jetpack allows for impressive horizontal travel and short bursts of vertical lift. This guide will break down how to maximize your flight time and distance.
Optimizing Power Armor Flight
Several factors influence how effectively you can fly in your power armor:
Agility and Action Points: The Foundation of Flight
Agility is key. Higher Agility directly translates to more effective jetpack use, impacting both flight duration and maneuverability. Action Points (AP) determine how long you can maintain flight. Boosting both stats is crucial for extended flights.
Enhancements for Extended Flight
Here’s how to boost your Agility and AP:
- Max out Natural Agility: Invest in Agility-boosting perks like “Agility” and collect the Agility Bobblehead.
- Armor Paintjob: Apply an Agility-enhancing paint job to your power armor.
- Consume Food and Chems: Utilize food items like Deathclaw Steak, Mole Rat Chunks, and Cooked Softshell Meat, and drugs like JetFuel to temporarily increase your Agility and AP. JetFuel, specifically, provides a significant boost and can be hotkeyed for quick access.
- Power Armor Perks: Max out perks that enhance power armor efficiency and movement speed. Although unconfirmed, these may contribute to improved flight performance.
Mastering Thrust Management: The Key to Distance
The real secret to long flights isn’t about constant thrust, but careful management:
- Initiate Flight with Momentum: Start with a running jump before activating your jetpack. Use Jet or Ultrajet simultaneously for an added boost.
- Tap, Don’t Hold: Instead of holding down the jump key, tap it strategically to control your thrust. This conserves AP and significantly extends your flight time. Focus on horizontal movement rather than altitude, as height is capped at approximately 20 meters.
Practical Applications and Considerations
With practice, you can achieve surprisingly long flights. As an example, reaching the mainland from the occupiable island in the bottom right corner of the map is possible with optimal setup and thrust management.
While addiction to chems like Jet is a potential side effect, Fallout 4 provides multiple easy ways to cure it, making it a minor concern. Additionally, consider investing in perks that prevent chem addiction.
Finally, remember the potent combination of the jetpack and weaponry. Combining the jetpack with a powerful weapon like the quad-barrel missile launcher creates a devastating force on the battlefield.
