“ | These advance scouts for the USA infantry are lethal to enemy infantry. With a long-range sniper rifle, a Path Finder can take out an enemy soldier before he is even seen. When stationary, Path Finders enter stealth mode. - Generals manual(src) |
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Pathfinders are USA's elite snipers.
Background[]
“ | I see everything... - Pathfinder when idle |
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Equipped with a long-range sniper rifle (Heckler & Koch MSG90)[citation needed] 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. Kassad was reported to train snipers that are identical in appearance to Pathfinders in his main base, though the player cannot train any while playing as him. General Leang, a high-ranking Chinese general, also had access to Pathfinders.
Like other detector units, the pathfinder loses his stealth detecting ability when garrisoned in a building or when traveling in a vehicle.
Upgrades[]
“ | Sniper here. - Pathfinder |
” |
Chemical Suits | This upgrade makes the Pathfinder more resistant to toxins and radiations, which means that they take less damage from them, still they are vulnerable to them. | Purchasable at any Strategy Center in Zero Hour for $1000 | |
Advanced Training | Allows Pathfinder to gain veteran status twice as fast, which means that they can be promoted, faster. | Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $1500 |
Game unit[]
Strategy[]
“ | Can't miss... - A Pathfinder having locked-on onto his prey. |
” |
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 detect stealth units, 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.
They also make good perimeter security, surrounding a base. Stationing a few Pathfinders near points of entry to an allied base would make it very hard for hero units or saboteurs to enter. This is a good counter to stealthed infiltration forces under Prince Kassad's command. A few Pathfinders in the base's rear will also make short work of a rebel ambush that spawns within the base itself. Finally, they are good at securing an unexploited supply stash against GLA workers that are sent to construct remote supply-gathering operations or whole secondary bases.
Counters[]
“ | I'm in trouble! - Pathfinder under fire |
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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. They also have a habit to run towards infantry a short distance before firing, then staying put in that position until all infantry in their dead zone are wiped out. Once they are done, they will return to their original spots, or go back and forth as needed, this can be easily exploited by either counter sniping or using rebel infantry to pick out the sniper and letting Jarmen Kell kill them. That is if there is only one sniper to deal with. Another way is to bring in a stealth detection unit like Troop Crawler, Radar Van, or the Scout Drone upgrade for USA vehicles and pair it with a good anti-infantry unit for a spectacular sniper takedowns.
Changelog[]
- Generals sneak peek patch 1.02: can no longer destroy aircraft with one shot
Selected quotes[]
“ | Scope, cleaned and mounted. - When emerging from the Barracks |
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“ | Sniper here. - When selected |
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“ | Hidden identity. - When selected |
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“ | I see everything. - When selected |
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“ | I'll be your spotter. - When selected |
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“ | I know my way around. - When selected |
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“ | They won't notice me. - When moving |
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“ | Hope no one's looking. - When moving |
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“ | On the path. - When moving |
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“ | Getting a better view. - When moving |
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“ | I'll scout ahead. - When moving |
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“ | Got a clear shot. - When ordered to attack |
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“ | He's in full view. - When ordered to attack |
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“ | Can't miss... - When ordered to attack |
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“ | Out of the shadows. - When ordered to attack |
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“ | Leaving no trace. - When ordered to attack |
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“ | I'm in the open here! - Under fire |
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“ | They got my position! - Under fire |
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“ | Looks real bad...! - Under fire |
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“ | Nowhere to hide... - Under fire |
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“ | I'm in trouble! - Under fire |
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“ | Heading for cover. - When ordered to garrison building |
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“ | I'll sneak into that building. - When ordered to garrison building |
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“ | That building should work. - When ordered to garrison building |
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“ | Should have a good view. - When ordered to garrison building |
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“ | Alright, alright, you found me. - When surrender |
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“ | Here, take my gun, I give up! - When surrender |
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“ | I... I surrender! - When surrender |
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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.
- Despite wearing green camouflage suits, they can still camouflage in the desert, cityscapes, and in the snow.
- The Pathfinder is voiced by Quinton Flynn; who also voiced the Humvee, Missile defender, Raptor, and Pilot. He is arguably best known for his role as Raiden from the Metal Gear Solid series.
See also[]
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