If you've run across opponents tearing through walls or shaking up teamfights with a pneumatic demolition tool, you're looking for the brawler who wields the jackhammer in Brawl Stars. That brawler is Jacky, the hard-hat-wearing, helmet-clad construction worker who uses her heavy-duty equipment to crush enemies and manipulate the battlefield.
While low-quality competitor guides mistakenly attribute this gear to other fighters like Tara, Jacky's entire kit revolves around pneumatic force. Her primary attack swings her jackhammer to deal damage in a 360-degree circle around her, and her gadget and star powers amplify this close-range devastation. If you want to master Jacky, you need to understand her optimal builds, positioning tricks, and how to punish opponents who underestimate her reach.
Jacky Kit Breakdown
Jacky is a tank class brawler with high health pools and a unique attack mechanic that ignores obstacles. Unlike most fighters who fire projectiles or directional stabs, Jacky swings her jackhammer against the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth.
Her main attack hits all enemies within her circular radius simultaneously. Crucially, this attack strikes through walls, allowing Jacky to poke and finish off low-health brawlers hiding behind cover without exposing herself to direct fire.
Her Super, called Hole in the Ground, pulls surrounding enemies toward her while giving her a temporary shield. This pairs perfectly with her playstyle, dragging distant snipers right into her lethal shockwave zone. According to official Supercell balance adjustments, her base stats prioritize surviving incoming burst damage long enough to close the gap on fragile targets.
Pneumatic Booster Gadget Guide
Jacky has access to two gadgets, but her mobility-focused gadget is the one tied directly to her jackhammer identity.
- Pneumatic Booster: When activated, Jacky gains a 30% speed boost for 3 seconds. This allows her to chase down retreating enemies, escape sticky situations, or cross open lanes that would normally leave her vulnerable to long-range fire.
- Rebuild: This second gadget lets her destroy and instantly rebuild a tile of environment cover. While situational, it creates surprise angles or blocks enemy projectiles in tight choke points.
To use the Pneumatic Booster effectively, don't pop it the second a fight starts. Wait until an enemy commits to a retreat or tries to kite you at maximum range. Popping the speed boost mid-engagement catches opponents off guard because they expect Jacky to move at standard tank speed.
Advanced Tactics and Combos
Playing Jacky at high trophy counts requires more than just rushing headfirst into enemy teams. Because she lacks ranged poke, positioning dictates your success.
Always hug walls when pushing lanes. Because Jacky's attack hits through barriers, you can pressure enemies controlling mid-lane bushes or power cubes in Showdown without taking return fire. Duck behind a solid stone wall, swing your jackhammer, and watch health bars drop.
Time your Super to interrupt enemy animations. When a brawler with a channeled super attempts to cast it near you, pull them in immediately. The disruption cancels their ability and leaves them trapped inside your 360-degree attack radius.
Pair your speed gadget with team setups that offer slow or stun effects. When a teammate slows an entire group, activate your speed boost to close the remaining distance, pull them in with your Super, and wipe the team with consecutive shockwaves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players struggle with Jacky because they fall into predictable habits. Avoid these frequent misplays to see an immediate jump in your win rate:
- Overextending in open maps: Avoid open-map bounty or knockout rotations where long-range marksmen can kite you indefinitely. Stick to map pools with abundant walls and bushes.
- Wasting the speed boost: Popping your gadget while safe at full health wastes valuable uptime. Save it strictly for securing kills or dodging incoming supers.
- Ignoring ammo economy: Jacky's reload speed is manageable, but spamming attacks blindly leaves you empty when an assassin dives you. Keep at least one ammo in reserve for defensive swings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brawler uses the jackhammer in Brawl Stars?
Jacky is the brawler who wields the jackhammer. She uses it for both her primary 360-degree ground-shaking attacks and her movement-based gadget playstyles.
Can Jacky attack through walls?
Yes. Her primary attack deals damage in a circular area around her and penetrates obstacles, letting her hit enemies hiding behind thin walls.
What is the best build for Jacky?
The optimal build combines her speed-boosting gadget (Pneumatic Booster), her shield star power (Counter Crush) to punish melee attackers, and damage or health gear to maximize her tankiness.
How do you counter Jacky in matches?
Keep your distance and use high-mobility brawlers or heavy crowd control. Long-range marksmen and throwers can whin down her health before she gets close enough to swing.
