Pathfinder



Pathfinders are USA's elite snipers.

Background
"I see everything..."

- Pathfinder when idle

Equipped with a long-range sniper rifle (Heckler & Koch MSG90) and effective camouflage (Ghillie suits), the Pathfinder can take out enemy infantry systematically and often without enemy commanders realizing. Pathfinders are cloaked when not moving. However, they are completely useless against vehicles and buildings. If revealed a single vehicle could dispatch pathfinders without much trouble. To compensate for this, many players use a very effective tactic by filling the Humvees with a Pathfinder and four Missile Defenders to allow pathfinders with protection from vehicles. Also pathfinders can garrison buildings and stay cloaked in the building as long as only stealth units occupy the building.

Not wanting their training to fall into the wrong hands US officials restrict them only to Generals who had achieved special promotions. Ironically, Kassad was reported to train snipers that were looks alike Pathfinders in his main base. General Leang, a high-ranking Chinese general, also had access to Pathfinders.

Upgrades
"Sniper here."

- Pathfinder

Strategy
While the GLA only possesses one skilled sniper, Jarmen Kell, Pathfinders could be trained in almost unlimited numbers. However unlike Jarmen Kell, they are only stealthed when stationary, and since Jarmen Kell is not likely to blow his cover with no good reason, he only shoots when given a direct order or when he has already been detected after shooting, while Pathfinders can shoot any enemy infantry that comes in range without direct orders. They could also detect stealth, making them invaluable assets to bring along during an assault. A handful of these snipers can easily render almost all infantry on the battlefield useless.

Counters
"They wouldn't know it's me."

- Pathfinder

However, observant commanders can pinpoint the location of a Pathfinder by studying the trajectory of a fired shot, as a Pathfinder can only remain cloaked when stationary. Like other infantry, they could be loaded into Humvees and ordered to garrison buildings without the building being seen as garrisoned by enemy generals, providing exceptional anti-infantry protection for advancing units. However,unlike Jarmen Kell's rifle and special anti-vehicle rounds ; their sniper rifle is utterly useless against vehicles. If cornered by an anti-infantry vehicle, Pathfinders have to remain still and rely on their camouflage to protect them.

Behind the Scenes
The Pathfinde is voiced by Quinton Flynn, who also voiced the Humvee, Missile defender, Raptor, and Pilot. He also probably best known as﻿ Raiden from Metal Gear Solid series.

Trivia

 * In reality the MSG90A1 has been tested by the United States Marine Corps but it is ruled out in favor of the M14 DMR.


 * Pathfinders resemble real life United States Marine Corps Scout Snipers.


 * The Pathfinder has unused animations for lying down and shooting while prone. As to what effect this would have had, is unknown, although it was likely that the sniper would only become camouflaged while prone.

Internal Link

 * Jarmen Kell