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How to horizontal boost in Starfield

Learn this hidden boosting trick in Starfield for extra speed

A player in Starfield jumps and boost packs their way up a ramp in New Atlantis.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios
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Guide by Ollie Toms Guides Editor
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How do you horizontal boost in Starfield? You may be no stranger to the boost pack in Starfield as an excellent way of getting around quickly while on the surface of a planet or moon; but did you know there's a hidden trick that allows you to boost much further and faster?

This trick is known as the horizontal boost, and to use it, you'll need to configure a particular setting in-game. In this short guide we'll explain exactly how to horizontal boost in Starfield, and the benefits of doing so.

Was Starfield worth the wait? Liam and Alice B discuss this question - and more - in the video above.Watch on YouTube

How to horizontal boost in Starfield

Before you can horizontal boost in Starfield, you first need to unlock the Boost Pack Training skill in the Starfield skill tree. Once you've unlocked this skill and equipped a pack that is capable of boosting, here's how to horizontal boost in Starfield on PC:

  1. Open the pause menu and navigate to Settings, then Bindings.
  2. Find the Jump button, and set its second keybind to a key of your choice.
  3. Exit out of Settings and unpause the game.
  4. Jump and hit your chosen key in mid-air to horizontal boost.
The keybinding menu in Starfield, with the Jump key highlighted.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

You can only horizontal boost with a Standard or Skip boost pack. To check your boost pack type, just open your inventory, find your equipped boost pack, and check its name or the additional information at the bottom of the info panel on the right-hand side of the screen.

The reason the horizontal boost is so effective is that, as the name suggests, the boost propels you horizontally, while the normal boost will give you more of an upward trajectory which is better for reaching high spots but worse for covering ground quickly. You'll be doing a lot more of the latter than the former in Starfield, so the ability to horizontal boost is enormously useful.

Can you horizontal boost on Xbox?

Unfortunately, you cannot make use of the horizontal boost mechanic in Starfield while playing on Xbox. As the steps above show, you need to be able to rebind keys in order to horizontal boost, which isn't available on Xbox. So only PC players can make use of this boosting technique.

Now that you know how to horizontal boost in Starfield, why not couple your newfound mobility with some added strength in other aspects of your character? We've got guides on the best Starfield builds and best Starfield skills; or you can consult our primers on Starfield skill book locations and how to get rich quick in Starfield.

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