Rocket jump
From TF2 Wiki
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Rocket jumping refers to using the knock back effect of an explosion to propel yourself great distances at the cost of some health. This tactic is frequently used by Soldiers and Demomen to go to unusual places in maps or to take creative detours and catch the enemy by surprise.
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Basics
The technique is known by many other names (pipejumping, grenade jumping, etc.), but the idea remains the same.
- Fire a Rocket at your feet as you jump.
- Detonate a Sticky bomb at your feet as you jump.
There are two ways to do a Rocket or Pipebomb jump. There's the standard: jump then shoot. This will propel you a small height but is good for getting on a small ledge. The second is the Uber Jump, which is when you jump, then crouch, then shoot. This will propel you to a much greater height.
Advanced jumps
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Soldiers and Demomen can use multiple rockets/bombs to launch themselves even higher, although at the cost of losing more health. These advanced jumps are usually most frequently seen in custom rocket jump maps, where health pickups and water are plentiful to help break your fall.
- Soldier
- Start with a normal Rocket jump while near a wall. While in mid-air before you reach the peak of your jump, fire at the wall close to your feet for an extra boost. (See the "wall-climb rocket jumping" video on the right.)
- An interesting jump style used is the "Crouch Rocket Jump", also refered to as the "Uber Rocket Jump" as the name suggests, in this style of jump you jump, fire your rocket (as normal) and then hold crouch, this gives you a bigger boost, at the cost of no extra damage, this can be used, for an example, to jump up onto the top of the metal sheet on the edge of the sniper battlements in 2Fort.
- Backwards rocket jumping, this style of rocket jumping is used to jump over far distances in quick speed, as opposed to rocket jumping which lets you gain access to previously inaccessible areas. To do this, you must run backwards, aim downwards, but not all the way down, but far enough so that is can still cause mild splash damage, then jump and fire the rocket, this will propel you over far distances, for example, over the water in 2Fort. This can be combined with "Crouch Rocket Jumping" to produce much more distance.
- Demoman
- Use two, sticky bombs instead of one.
- Demomen can also wall-climb jump like Soldiers by placing and detonating a sticky bomb on a wall as they pass it before reaching the peak of their jump.
- With the assistance of a Medic, an ÜberCharged Demoman can use all eight sticky bombs at once for the most extreme jump.
- With the assistance of a Medic/Medics a Demoman can be ÜberCharged by Kritzkrieg to lay 8 crit sticky bombs then be ÜberCharged by Medigun to use all them at once in order to achieve an even higher jump!!
Example strategies
Some maps have specific locations where Rocket jumping can give you a great advantage, allowing you to skip enemy defences or launch a surprise attack:
- In 2fort, a Soldier can launch themselves up onto the Sniper deck to enter the top floor of the enemy base. With some skill, you can also launch yourself through a hole in the metal grille in the ceiling, just after entering their base. This route may give easier access to the Intelligence room.
- When trying to capture the last point on Gravel Pit, you can jump onto the little hut from the central entrance and from there can Rocket jump straight to the capture point. Perfect for taking advantage of a weak defense.
- You can also use the rocket to hop your way across the map. Just shoot at the ground that is a few feet away from you when you jump. You can get about 20 or more yards of distance in one hop. Make sure you have a med kit or medic nearby if you want to try it some more. You can also do this with the Demoman by using one or two sticky bombs.
An example video also shows some of the more useful locations of where you can rocket jump and pipe jump to, this includes examples of rocket jumping and crouch rocket jumping, also referred to as by some "Uber Rocket Jumping", this video can be seen here
Custom jump maps
Several custom maps have been created specifically to emphasize Rocket jumping by providing a goal that significantly requires this technique. (The "Wall-climb rocket jumping" video on the right was shot in Skyscraper, one of the earliest of these maps in TF2.) While these maps vary in many aspects, they all tend to share at least a few features. The teams are separated into two sides of the map and cannot reach each other except by Rocket jumping (a few maps are entirely separated, however). At the top of the map, it might have a control point and/or provide access to the opposing side. Capture the flag jump maps are less common.
Some surfaces are covered with a thin layer of water to prevent falling damage. Health and ammo packs are found in key places on higher ledges and often play into the strategy of choosing which ledges to jump to and familiarizing yourself with the map. Many ledges are placed to require advanced jumps and players sometimes measure their skill by how many jumps they do to reach the top. Ledges might be intentionally small or require horizontal motion to reach, calling for accurate air control by the player. Similarly, many maps feature small holes in ceilings and walls that the player must fly through. A few of these maps also include tricks, such as moving platforms, mazes, and secret passages that you need to figure out. Plus speed is important if you want to be the first to the top.
See also
- Jumping, an article on all the different ways to jump
- Double-jump, the Scout's special ability to jump a second time while in mid-air
- Needle boosting, a way for Medics to boost friendly Engineers to great heights (removed from the PC version on December 31, 2007)
- Rocket jump tricks
