Jessica "Jess" Black is a master huntress, and a Guns for Hire in Far Cry 5.
Biography[]
Jess’ parents were frequently out of work, so she moved around a lot and never had a proper childhood. As a result, trouble found her early: fistfights in the school hallways, late-night graffiti, dealing drugs, petty theft, and even setting fire to the principal’s car. Sick of her home life, Jess ran away to live with her badass Granny, a hard-core prepper and survivalist. No-nonsense Granny straightened her out fast by teaching her how to hunt and live off the land. For the first time ever, Jess finally had a positive role model and a sense of stability. After her Granny passed away, Jess, a changed woman, went back to living with her folks. Unfortunately, just when things were starting to look like they were going to be okay, Eden’s Gate showed up.
One night, while she and her family were sleeping, a Peggie henchman named The Cook broke into their house and abducted them. The Cook starved and tortured them relentlessly before finally brutally killing Jess’ parents in front of her. However, Jess escaped, and thanks to her Granny’s lessons, she now has the know-how to take down cultists and rescue others. She’s determined to save everyone she can and get revenge on The Cook. In a roundabout way, Jess found her true calling: killing.
When entering the Whitetail Mountains for the first time, Dutch will contact The Junior Deputy telling them to seek out his niece, Jess, adding that she was last seen near the lumber mill.
Gameplay[]
Jess is one of the stealthiest companions in the game. When undetected, she can eliminate faraway hostiles completely quietly. During combat, she prefers long-to-medium-range engagements, attempting to stay back and put down enemies with lethal one-shot kills. If enemies get near, she will attempt to strafe away from them, and can also kill most of them instantly with a quickshot from her bow. She can also quickly change priority targets. This usually causes her to switch from aiming at a distant target to quickly turning and shooting someone who gets close to her. When she cannot eliminate the enemy in one shot and they get too close (usually only Angels are able to do this) she will switch to a hunting knife and slash at them. This makes her weaker at short ranges than other long-range specialists like Grace, who uses a machine pistol.
Occasionally during combat, Jess can also shoot a fire arrow. They cannot be specifically called to use, and the situation that will cause them to be used seems to be randomly decided, although she will always use fire arrows when targeting helicopter pilots. The fire arrow has a distinct look, resembling those used by the player. However, the arrows used by her are not already lit. Instead, she uses a lighter to set them on fire before use. When using the fire arrow, Jess will usually announce it with a specific voice line, warning the player of a burning enemy in the vicinity. The action of using a fire arrow is slightly longer than firing a normal one.
Far Cry 5[]
Upon liberating the Baron Lumber Mill, Jess will be freed from her cage, and the mission "A Dish Served Cold" will be available upon talking to her.
A Dish Served Cold[]
Main article: A Dish Served Cold
Jess asks the Deputy's help in killing a hated enemy of hers: The Cook.
Where It All Began[]
Main article: Where It All Began
As the Deputy confronts Joseph Seed at his compound, Jess, as well as the other Guns for Hires, have been hypnotized by the Bliss, and have captured Hudson, Whitehorse, and Pratt, holding them hostage.
If the "Resist" ending is chosen, she and the other Blissed allies will fight against the Deputy, only for the Deputy to snap Jess out of her trance, and aids the Deputy in fighting Joseph.
If the "Walk Away" ending is chosen, the Deputy leaves the compound with Hudson, Whitehorse, and Pratt, as Jess and the other blissed-out Guns for Hire remain under Joseph's control.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- When hunting specifically for animal pelts and skins, Jess is one of the best companions to bring with you, as her 'Feral Friendly' trait means animals do not fear her, allowing her to get much closer than Peaches or Cheeseburger. When paired with Boomer and his 'Pointer' ability, hunting animals can become fairly easy, and thus a fast way to make money.
- Like all specialist companions, Jess will have unique conversations with the other specialists, such as talking to Sharky about his lack of a ‘flamethrower license’ or with Grace trying to warn her about the trauma combat can take on you. She also insults Hurk on his overall stupidity.
- Jess can be seen on cult wanted posters throughout the Whitetail Mountains, usually near posters that also depict Eli; both are members of the Whitetail Militia.
- As a holdout weapon when enemies get too close for the Compound Bow she uses to be practical, Jess will use a knife.
- Jess’ stealthy archetype using a hoodie might be inspired by Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series, as the main characters typically use outfits that are stylistically similar.
- Jess wears a back quiver to hold her arrows, but wears it on the wrong shoulder. Normally a back quiver has the arrows on the draw-hand side instead of the bow-hand side.
- Jess mentions to the player character that they remind her of Eli. “Something about the eyes.”
- In the game’s ending she is seen holding an AR-C in the cutscene under the influence of Bliss. During the fight, she switches back to her bow.
- She will confide that she isn’t sure what will happen to her when the fighting ends, because she believes she found her calling in killing Peggies, and can’t imagine going back to a regular life.
- Like the other Guns for Hire, she can be found at the 8-Bit Pizza Bar in the Henbane River region while not in the company of the player.
- Jess asked the players to kill Judges and regular wolves with arrows during the White Collar Job Live Event.
- Jess will mention she had a female cousin in the cult that tried to convince her to join, and mentioned that the only reason she didn’t throw her out a window was because of family.
- She is briefly mentioned in a message left on the phone at the Grand View Hotel by a Peggie, calling her a "Hunger Games wannabe."
- She swears more than any other Guns for Hire.
- When paired with a Fang-For-Hire, she is considerably happier, and is most happy around Peaches.
- When paired up with Grace, she will try to get Jess to consider joining the army. She refuses, stating she "doesn't like being bossed around" and "would likely get kicked out" on her first day.
- She enjoyed the Blood Dragon movies when she was young, and claims it partially inspired the fighting spirit in her.
- After Update 1.06, Jess is available as Special Outfits for the deputy.
- On the back of her coat Far Cry 5 can be read among other white writing, although part of it is covered by her quiver.
- Based on in-game dialog, she had a boyfriend that broke up with her a few weeks prior to the events of Far Cry 5.
Quotes[]
Main article: Jess Black/Quotes
Jess will sing a jingle if you hang out with her at Dodd's Dump for a period of time; "Dobb's Dumps, come dump your crap on us".
References[]
- ↑ IMDB: Julie Nathanson. Retrieved 2018 May 27.
- ↑ Julie Nathanson - Website. Retrieved 2018 May 27.