Jump jet troopers (Rivals)

"Jump Jet Troopers can launch over obstacles and enemy units. Use them to get behind enemy lines"

- Game tip

Jump Jet Trooper is an epic GDI infantry unit in Command & Conquer: Rivals.

Background
Jump Jet Troopers are a squad of elite anti vehicle infantry equipped with a mobility-enhancing J-70 Jetpack. Although their jetpack is not powerful enough for sustained flight, it does allow Jump Jet Troopers to vault over terrain obstacles and move quickly across the battlefield.

Abilities

 * Can move over terrain and enemy units.
 * Reveals adjacent stealthed units.
 * Reveals adjacent stealthed units.

Game unit
Jump Jet Trooper squad is the closest thing to a flying infantry. Their main strength is their ability to move around the battlefield unhindered by environment or enemy units. This makes them great at contesting the pads at the critical moments and to harass various vehicles, not least the harvester.

They have much greater damage compared to Missile Squad, which means they do a lot more work against vehicles, but the inability to target air reduces their versatility in combat. The JJs are not the best option for holding the line, since Missile Squad can do it more cheaply and target air, whereas the Grenadiers have a lot more health and punch for only a modest increase in costs.

The main niche the Jump Jet Troopers fill is that of a vehicle harasser. Their fast movement speed allows JJs to find favorable match-ups in the battlefield and avoid their counters. Their immunity to body blocking makes it impossible to corner them in or deny them access to pads. They themselves can body block as well as anyone.

Another application of Jump Jet Troopers is baiting. Units with long reload speed, like Orca Bomber and Stealth Tank, tend to reload behind the protection of friendly units. JJs can jump over the defenses and force those units to attack, rendering them useless for the reload time. This tactic is generally not suited against the Inferno, but if they can take another unit with them, this option should be considered.

Jump Jet Troopers are vulnerable to infantry and aircraft, especially Sniper Team, Venoms, confessors and Razorback. Chasing down the JJs is almost impossible, so the best tactic against them is to place anti-infanty units in their path. This will force JJs to either take an expensive detour or take damage while going after the target.

This unit requires a lot of micro management from the commander, but it also is a hassle to deal with.

Although JJs can move over obstacles, unlike aircraft they can't stand on them.

Changelog

 * 2018-06-28: Initial attack delay reduced to 0.25 seconds (was 0.9 seconds)
 * 2018-07-11: Health increased to 240 (was 180)
 * 2019-03-13: Damage to Harvesters decreased to 350 (was 400)
 * 2019-06-05:
 * Damage reduced to 382 (was 400)
 * Cost decreased to 40 (was 50)
 * Health decreased to 200 (was 240)
 * 2019-12-11: Health increase to 220 (was 200)
 * 2021-06-09: Speed reduced to faster (was fastest)

When created

 * Jump jet is amped!
 * Ready to jump!

When selected

 * JJ here
 * Jet packs lit
 * Ready for action
 * Jump jet active

When moving

 * I'm on it
 * JJ jumpin
 * Lets fly
 * Powering up thrusters

When move to attack favorably

 * Let's waste 'em!
 * They don't stand a chance
 * Yee-haw!

When move to attack neutral

 * Affirmative
 * Sure, man
 * I can dig it
 * Sweet

When move to attack unfavorably

 * This is gonna be narly
 * Might need to jet out
 * Gonna get me killed, dude!

When unable to attack target

 * Negatory, dude
 * No way, bro

When attacking

 * Taking them down!
 * Got this!
 * Catching air!

When under attack

 * Ah, man!
 * Jump jet burning out!
 * Need to jet out, man!

Videos
Idling

Trivia

 * They are based on the jump jet infantry from Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun.
 * Initially JJTs cost more and had more HP, but later got their stats reduced because their role was too similar to the Grenadiers.
 * Surfer dude. When idle performs somersaults.
 * The only unit in the game that can move over the nuclear silo.