TL;DR
- Jump Network Pads are golden circular discs on the ground found across all biomes.
- They are locked at first and cannot be used until you reach a story milestone.
- You unlock them in the second biome, Ancient Depths, after defeating Prophet.
- Once unlocked, they stay active in every biome permanently, including ones you already visited.
- To use them, stand on a pad and press X (Cross) to launch into the air.
What Are the Jump Network Pads in Saros?
When you first start exploring Saros, you will notice small golden, circular disc-like structures on the ground. They appear in rooms, side paths, and near high ledges. If you try stepping on them early in the game, nothing happens. They just glow faintly and do nothing.
These are called Jump Network Pads. They are a core traversal mechanic in the game. Once active, they launch Arjun high into the air. This lets you reach elevated platforms, hidden areas, and paths that are completely inaccessible on foot.
The game intentionally locks them at the start. This is by design. Saros introduces movement tools gradually so you learn the basics before gaining more mobility options.
How to Unlock the Jump Network Pads in Saros
The short answer: Jump Network Pads unlock automatically as you progress through the story. You do not need to buy them, craft them, or find a special item. You just need to reach the right point in the main story.
Here is the full step-by-step breakdown.
Step 1: Explore the First Biome — Shattered Rise
While in Shattered Rise, explore as many side paths as you can. Open all possible containers to gather more artifacts and pick up higher proficiency weapons. This makes the first boss fight easier and sets you up well for the second biome.
You will also notice the Jump Network Pads scattered around Shattered Rise at this stage, but they will be inactive. Do not worry about them yet. If you come across one early in the game that does not work, remember to come back later once you have unlocked the ability.
Need help with locked containers while you explore? Check out our guide on how to open locked containers with Carcosan Keys in Saros.
Step 2: Defeat Prophet, the First Biome Boss
The boss fight can be tough, especially if you have not unlocked the Second Chance upgrade in the Armor Matrix using Halcyon. Focus on the yellow glowing plants when they appear, then switch to the boss when its core opens up. Prophet has a variety of attacks and keeps adding more to its arsenal as the fight progresses through different phases.
Take your time with this fight. Use your shield to absorb blue projectiles and charge your Power Weapon. Once Prophet goes down, move forward and do not backtrack just yet.
Curious about what to do with your Halcyon upgrades? Read our guide on what to do with Halcyon Primary Upgrades in Saros.
Step 3: Enter the Second Biome — Ancient Depths
Once you defeat the boss, move forward and you will reach the Ancient Depths, which is the second biome of the game. Your arrival in this new biome will be short-lived, as you will be called back to the Passage. This happens automatically through a cutscene. Do not skip it.
Step 4: Return to the Passage and Talk to the NPCs
After talking to the NPCs in the hub and gathering any text or audio logs on the tables, you can interact with Primary, which now has a World Dial feature that opens a teleport to newly unlocked biomes.
Take a few minutes here. Collect any lore items on the tables. Talk to everyone available. This is also a good time to review your Armor Matrix and spend any Halcyon you have saved up.
Step 5: Use the World Dial to Return to Ancient Depths
Interact with the Primary and navigate to the new World Dial tab. From here, open the portal to the Ancient Depths biome and close the menu. Head to the centre of the portal and you will teleport back.
This is also your first time using the teleportation system in Saros. From this point forward, you can use portals in any biome to return to the Passage, and use the World Dial to travel back out.
Step 6: Progress Forward and Trigger the Cutscene
Use the World Dial to head back to the second biome and progress forward to trigger a cutscene. After the cutscene ends, you will gain the ability to use the network pads to jump high into the air.
That is it. The Jump Network Pads are now unlocked permanently across the entire game.
How to Use the Jump Network Pads
Using a Jump Network Pad is simple once they are active.
- Walk up and stand directly on top of the circular pad.
- Press X (Cross) to activate it.
- It will launch you up in the facing direction.
The jumping pads allow you to explore the main and side paths in the biome. Many of the elevated ledges you saw and could not reach earlier will now be fully accessible. Some hold Halcyon, audio logs, Carcosan Keys, and extra loot.
Do Jump Network Pads Work in Every Biome?
Yes. Once they become active, they do not just work in that one area. They stay active everywhere you find them in the game from that point onward.
This means you should go back and revisit Shattered Rise after unlocking the pads. Many players miss this step, but it can lead to valuable discoveries. Previously inactive pads will now function fully, allowing you to uncover hidden loot, alternate routes, and optional encounters.
Why Are Jump Network Pads Important?
Jump Network Pads are not just about getting to high places. They connect directly to how exploration works across all of Carcosa.
- Hidden loot: Many containers and Halcyon collectibles sit on ledges only reachable by pads.
- Side paths: The whole section of Ancient Depths is covered with jump pads, so using them regularly helps you reach higher ledges and find secrets.
- Boss arenas: Use the Jump Network Pads around the arena to dodge Bastion’s yellow projectile ring attacks. They are part of combat strategy, not just exploration.
- Completionist runs: Jump Network Pads let Arjun reach previously inaccessible ledges and hidden areas throughout the zone and in earlier biomes when revisited.
If you are going for full completion, you will use these pads constantly. They are essential for finding everything Carcosa has to offer.
Other Abilities That Unlock After Jump Network Pads
Throughout your exploration of the different biomes, you will come across yellow barriers, grapple points, jump pads, and more. These will be inaccessible at the start of the game, but as you progress further, they will unlock automatically.
Here is a quick overview of what unlocks after the Jump Network Pads:
- Grapple: Available at the start of the Shattered Descent, the game’s third biome. Used to reach grapple points on walls and ceilings across all biomes.
- Blazing Strike: Locked behind story progression. Once you unlock it, you can break yellow barriers at any time in any biome.
- Parry: Unlocked in the middle of biome 4 after restoring power. Allows you to parry red Nova projectiles back at enemies.
- Overdrive: Unlocks in the fourth biome, Blighted Marsh. Charges as you deal damage and activates by pressing L3 and R3 at the same time.
Tips Before You Unlock the Jump Network Pads
- Do not rush Prophet. The better your gear going into the fight, the easier it will be. Spend time in side paths first.
- Do not skip the Passage. After entering Ancient Depths for the first time, you are sent back to the Passage. Talk to the NPCs and check your upgrades before heading back out.
- Use the World Dial correctly. The portal to Ancient Depths only opens through the World Dial in the Primary. Walk into the centre of the portal to actually teleport.
- Progress through the cutscene. The Jump Network ability triggers from a specific story cutscene inside Ancient Depths. Keep moving forward after you teleport back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unlock Jump Network Pads before defeating Prophet?
No. You cannot bypass this requirement. The unlock is tied directly to your progression past the Prophet boss fight and into the Ancient Depths biome.
What button activates the Jump Network Pads?
Stand on top of a pad and press X (Cross) to launch into the air.
Do I need to unlock Jump Pads in each biome separately?
No. Once unlocked in Ancient Depths, the Jump Pads will be active in every biome from that point on.
Can I revisit Shattered Rise to use the pads?
Yes. Use the World Dial in the Primary to travel back to Shattered Rise. All previously inactive pads will now be fully functional.
Final Thoughts
The Jump Network Pads are the first major movement upgrade you unlock in Saros on PS5. They open up a huge amount of exploration across every biome and make earlier areas feel brand new when you revisit them. The unlock process is simple — just progress through the story, defeat Prophet, return to the Passage, and head back into Ancient Depths.
Once you have them, always look up. A lot of the best loot in Carcosa is sitting on ledges above your head, just waiting for a Jump Pad to reach it.
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