what's the point of bounty hunters having jetpacks if they barely use them?

They are as functional in the game as they ever where in the movies. Live with it.

BH should get slow fall on a long timer.

Except they aren't.

The Bounty Hunter class is a joke.
The single unique element in gameplay terms that makes the class stand out from other classes is only used for some special effects to cast abilities that could just as easily be case while standing on the ground or on higher terrain for a few moments.

The moment I found out the jetpack does absolutely nothing I was put off from ever playing the class. It's a carbon copy of all the other pistol wielding ranged classes, unfortunately.

So many trolls in here.

I do also find it weird that those jetpacks are barely ever in use. What can you do...

This!

I have often thought (as I foolishly jump off of very high things) "Why must I take all of this damage when I land? I have a jet pack on my back".

I mean, would a slow fall ability really overbalance the game? I don't think BH jetpacks are designed for sustained flight. Both Boba Fett and Jango Fett only used them for short bursts in the movies. Still, it's unfortunate that the jet pack jump is limited to the Powermech tree, since it makes so much sense in general. I suppose that the other specializations would rarely want to get in Melee.

Really? People questioning the balance of free flight vs. other classes is trolling? Really?

You didn't read the 2nd or third post in the thread, freaking jetpack leap ability, that envovles position and time equates to skill.

Though the way the combat system is over all is why it wouldn't work, unfortunately.

Flying is a no no but is't even more of a no no when it's not skill base and one can't really dodge bullets and they do damage before hitting the target.

Hybrid hotkey/action games could do this in a MMO and some are in fact except it's not flying it's a boost jump. Because the victim can dodge and damage only starts if the attack literally touches the victum which that would make it balance since the other classes have same freedom in abilities.

Flashy features that no one else can have supersedes balance, don't you remember? Especially in a game with mirror classes. I mean, Troopers might as well stand there and die like Clones.

Doesn't have to be flight, could be a mount just like in SWG

Anyone remember Jedi Academy?
There was a level in that game where you confront Boba Fett. He pretty much flies around the whole level.

Not just hopping and skipping around but literally hovering and flying around, most of the time.

Of course, you couldn't kill him, just wound him to avoid him while you diffused some bombs or something like that.

Anyways, there is precedent for flight duration for jetpacks.

That said, it would not work in this game.