Gears 5: Jack Capabilities and Upgrades Guide

Gears 5 focuses on Kait Diaz and her journey to uncover her origins and those of the Locust Horde, but that doesn't mean she's alone in her quest. She'll get help along the way from her trusty robot companion, Jack.

Jack accompanies Kait throughout the game and gives players access to a unique set of abilities to help them navigate their mission, broken down into Assault, Support, and Passive trees. Some abilities are available from the start, while others can only be unlocked while playing. Regardless, they all have four upgrades that you can purchase with components you discover in the world. Components are scarce, but you can honor Jack's abilities at any time without penalty. For Assault and Support abilities, the final upgrade is considered an ultimate upgrade and can only be activated when you purchase the other upgrades for that ability.

Here are all of the game's abilities and their upgrades.

Gears 5 Jack Assault Abilities

Flash - Jack knocks out nearby enemies with a powerful flash.
Obtained at act 1, chapter 2

Upgrades

• Faster Charging - The flash charges 25% faster.
• Range Boost - Flash range increases by 50%
• Concussion - Flash deals damage to nearby enemies.
• Instant Freeze (Ultimate) - The flash freezes nearby enemies.

Shock trap - Jack sets a trap that electrifies the enemies that trigger it.
Obtained at act 2, chapter 1

Upgrades

• Improved Capacitor - Shock Trap lasts 50% longer.
• Multi-trap - Jack can set a second trap.
• Trap - Shock Trap, other slow enemies captured by its effect.
• Seeker (Ultimate) - Shock Trap spawns Shock Bots that pursue enemies and deal double damage to them.

Divert - Jack temporarily takes control of an enemy.
Obtained at act 3, chapter 1

Upgrades

• Duration - The hijack lasts 30% longer.
• Stim Target - Hijack uses Stim on affected enemies.
• Faster recharge - Hijack recharges faster.
• Implant Detonator (Ultimate) - Deflected enemies explode when killed, dealing damage to nearby enemies.

Gears 5 Jack Support Abilities

Impulse - Jack reveals nearby enemies within reach, briefly describing them.
Starting capacity

Upgrades

• Range Boost - Pulse's range increases by 50%.
• Extended Targeting Matrix - Pulse outline lasts twice as long.
• Detect Pickups - Pulse will describe weapons and ammo as well as enemies.
• Marked For Death (Ultimate) - Enemies revealed by Pulse take 20% more damage.

Stim - Jack increases the armor of nearby allies.
Obtained at act 1, chapter 4

Upgrades

• Fast Recharge - Stim recharges 25% faster.
• Duration - Stim lasts 2 seconds longer.
• Revive - Stim revives downed allies.
• Brawler (Ultimate) - Allies affected by Stim deal three times more melee damage.

Coat - Jack temporarily makes allies invisible. The effect ends early if a masked ally attacks.
Obtained at act 2, chapter 3

Upgrades

• Agility - Allies affected by Cloak move 15% faster.
• Extend - Killing hidden enemies extends the duration of the effect.
• Faster Recharge - The mantle recharges 15% faster.
• Scouche (Ultimate) - Attacking while clothed does not end the effect.

Fence - Jack deploys a shield to protect his allies.
Obtained at act 3, chapter 3

Upgrades

• Duration - The barrier lasts 50% longer.
• Reflect Bullets - Enemy bullets reflect from the barrier to attackers.
• Bulwark - The size of the barrier increases.
• Deadly Overload (Ultimate) - The barrier explodes on its expiration, causing damage to nearby enemies.

Gears 5 Jack's Passive Abilities

Heart - Improves Jack's central systems.
Starting capacity

Upgrades

• Executioner - Executing enemies recharges Jack's abilities faster.
• Seek Heavy - Allows Jack to carry heavy weapons.
• Savage - Killing enemies recharges Jack's abilities faster.
• Sniper - Killing enemies with headshots recharges Jack's abilities faster.

Health - Increases Jack's health and allows him to heal his allies.
Starting capacity

Upgrades

• Osmium Plating - Increases Jack's maximum health.
• Repair Boost - Jack regenerates lost health faster.
• Revive Command - Allows Jack to revive his downed allies.
• Self Revive - Jack comes back twice as fast after being shot.

Stealthy - Increases Jack's effectiveness when he is masked.
Starting capacity

Upgrades

• Reactive Stealth - Allows Jack to enter stealth faster.
• Stealth Fetch - Allows Jack to remain veiled while going for a weapon.
• Stealth Shield - Reduces damage taken by Jack while cloaked.
• Stealth Thrusters - Allows Jack to remain masked while using Thrusters.

Zapper - Upgrade Jack's Zapper weapon.
Starting capacity

Upgrades

• Arc Booster - Increases the range of the Zapper.
• Beam Splitter - Allows the Zapper to hit multiple enemies at once.
• Cascading Energy - Increases Zapper's damage the longer it stays focused on an enemy.
• Improved Capacitor - Increases Zapper duration.