Pathfinders are elite reconnaisance troopers, tasked with the exploration of the more hazardous planets that the ISP discovers. Specially trained to operate in nearly any environment, they regularly face dangerous weather conditions, hostile wildlife, and squatting pirates.
Pathfinders undergo rigorous endurance training, able to move for hours on end under heavy load with no rest. They have been taught to recognize various environmental hazards such as thermal vent fields, acid clouds and rain, and carnivorous flora and fauna, and how to deal with them.
Equipped with advanced optical packages, Pathfinders have access to infrared, thermal, and MRI vision modes, along with a 2x, 5x, and 10x zoom functions. They wear specialized suits with reactive camoflage, which helps them blend into their environment when the situation calls for stealth.
The Pathfinder’s signature weapon is the M280 sniper rifle, a powerful railgun with a range of over a kilometer. They use these deadly weapons to engage hostiles at a safe distance, keeping themselves out of harm’s way. In emergencies, they use a M12 sidearm pistol, and carry Mk 88 concussive grenades in case they find themselves outnumbered, or up against particularly tough wildlife.
A dangerous job, the attrition rates among new Pathfinders is quite high, but those who live long enough to become veterans of their profession go on for years, surpassing all challenges thrown their way.