Welcome to the world of Just Cause 4 hoverboarding—a ridiculous, brilliant, and surprisingly technical experience that might just be one of the best things added to the franchise since the introduction of the wingsuit. This guide is built for players looking to better understand hoverboard mechanics and use them for creative stunt work. From basic control to high-level techniques, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

---

The Hoverboard: A Quick Introduction

First off, it’s important to note that the hoverboard is part of the Danger Rising DLC. If you haven’t grabbed it yet and you enjoy the idea of high-speed chaos with aerial flair, it’s worth every penny. The hoverboard is one of the most entertaining and layered tools in Rico’s arsenal, blending simple inputs with a complex range of interactions.

On top of the core functionality, hoverboard skins can be unlocked by completing hoverboard time trials and courses. One standout example is the Lifesaver skin—a lifeguard-themed design found in Joya Del Sol. Head to the beach next to the pier in the bottom-left corner of the map. Near a small lifeguard stand, you’ll find the board resting in the sand (if you haven’t already collected it).

---

Controls & Core Movement

The hoverboard has an intuitive control scheme. You have a single button to summon or dismiss it, a jump button, and your usual directional movement. With just those inputs, you gain access to a variety of tricks and moves that add style and utility.

Pressing jump while moving can trigger several board tricks: kickflips, underflips, 360s, indie grabs, and nose grabs. While you can’t directly choose which trick happens, your current speed heavily influences the result. The faster you go, the more dynamic the trick.

---

Building Momentum: Speed Is Everything

Stunt potential hinges on how fast you’re going. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase your velocity:

• Board Summon Boost: Simply activating the hoverboard gives you a little forward nudge.
• Downhill Travel: Naturally, riding downhill builds momentum—steeper hills mean greater gains.
• Landing on Slopes: Dropping onto a downward slope helps preserve and extend speed.
• Grapple Pulling: You can shoot your grapple ahead and reel in to drag yourself forward. This has a speed cap, however.
• Grapple Start Boost: If you grapple-pull from a standing position, it acts like a jump-start, giving you an initial burst.
• Sky Striker Boost-to-Hoverboard: Use your Sky Striker wingsuit boost and then swap to hoverboard mid-fall for top-tier speed.
• Bouncing Off Vehicles: Spearhead transports can slingshot you forward with glitchy, almost explosive speed—but it’s inconsistent.
• Vehicle Bumps: You can also ride near moving vehicles, using their momentum to carry you forward or bump you into higher gear.

Combining these techniques can turn a casual hoverboard ride into a fully choreographed stunt performance.

---

Advanced Techniques & Tricks

The hoverboard is equipped with an avoidance detection mechanic, which ensures Rico doesn’t wipe out on every obstacle. Instead, the board will either redirect, bounce, or stop upon impact. While this makes general travel smoother, it can also be used to your advantage in stunts:

• Bump Stunts: Run into objects deliberately for launch effects.
• Precision Landings: Drop onto tight ledges or structures during a high-speed run. Slowing down mid-air can help you stick the landing.
• Momentum Killers: Hit specific areas on an obstacle’s hitbox to stop abruptly and stick the trick.

One of the more subtle yet advanced tricks is hoverboard ride height management. The board floats in a wave-like pattern—it doesn’t maintain a fixed height off the ground. That means when you jump, your timing can affect your launch height due to the current wave peak or trough.

• Jumping at the Wave Crest: Gives more height and distance.
• Jumping in a Trough: May result in short, failed launches.

This nuanced timing becomes crucial when attempting jumps with tight margins or when you need pinpoint accuracy.

---

Vehicle Interactions & Transfers

Hoverboarding isn’t limited to ground terrain. It syncs surprisingly well with moving vehicles:

• Vehicle Riding: Use the grapple to hold your position on top of cars or trucks. You can also “lock in” by standing in certain hitbox zones that stabilize you.
• Push Mechanics: Some vehicles can push you forward as you ride, effectively giving you passive acceleration.
• Vehicle Transfers: Combine hoverboarding and grapples to leap from one vehicle to another—difficult, but stunning when executed cleanly.

---

Precision Stunts: The Peak of Mastery

The most rewarding—and most difficult—hoverboard stunts demand a precise balance of speed, height, timing, and control. These stunts usually involve crossing massive gaps or threading through tiny targets.

To master these, you’ll need to:

• Monitor ride height before jumps.
• Use your grapple strategically for speed boosts or stability.
• Learn obstacle hitboxes for proper landings.
• Perfect your transitions between air, hoverboard, and grapples.

These stunts aren’t just cool—they’re also deeply satisfying. Landing one feels like orchestrating controlled chaos at the highest level.

---

Wrap-Up: The Future Is Yours

That’s the hoverboard in a nutshell. Whether you’re looking to complete timed trials or just launch Rico across half the map for the thrill of it, understanding the hoverboard’s intricacies opens up a world of possibilities. With enough practice, it becomes a fluid extension of your momentum-based chaos.

If you’re looking for ideas or inspiration, be sure to check out existing hoverboard stunt videos—some already push the physics to the limit. And if you’ve got a trick or technique no one’s seen before, share it. The beauty of Just Cause 4 is how limitless the systems become in the hands of creative players.

So hop on, hit the hills, and stunt your heart out.

See you in the skies.