Pathfinders

[Silar]

Okay planning on doing an Alaitoc theme army, so loads of rangers but i was wandering is the pathfinder upgrade worth the points or is it better spend elsewhere?
thanks

[Gahris]

I've been on the otherside of pathfinders and they are very good at killing space marines!

[Orbital]

Okay planning on doing an Alaitoc theme army, so loads of rangers but i was wandering is the pathfinder upgrade worth the points or is it better spend elsewhere?
thanks

It's a bit like saying "What's better? Rock, paper or scissors?" With a lot of stuff in Warhammer, it's not what you use... but how you use it.

Pathfinders are extremely expensive, but they're also lethal. As you've no doubt figured out, when you take something that expensive you cut off other options... yet you give yourself more clout. If it seems like I'm evading the "what's best?" question, you're quite right.

What I would suggest is that you take their plusses and minuses into account: Do you expect a lot of high-toughness targets in your opponent's army? Do you have something in mind to intercept anyone who wants to converge on their location and assault them? Do you have other units to take care of anti-tank or massed infantry?

Best thing of all: Just try them out. See how they perform. I think you'll probably like them.

[Tyhaldras]

Frankly Pathfinders are head and shoulders above standard Rangers. I've always found the upgrade to be well worth the points.

The extra +1 to cover is huge, on almost any table you'll have a 2+ cover save wherever you stick them, (and 5+ in the open, which isn't too shabby). They also completely ignore difficult terrain so they always move 6 inches so they can slip through dense terrain quickly and keep that 2+ save. Finally you have a greater chance of getting those AP 1 hits, which means more dead anything. Oh and scouts is just a bonus at this point, since it opens up the possibility of reacting to enemy deployment.

Just be aware of where the enemy flame templates are coming from since they murder the poor Pathfinders/Rangers. Most flamers are AP 5 or better so each wound = dead Eldar. Oh and when you do lose guys LD 8 is good, but don't be surprised when they panic. Also like Orbital said they don't do hordes and heavy armor. Anything that shows up in numbers or with a decent armor value will just walk up and beat you soundly upon the head.

[An00bis]

Someday, people will say "Pathfinders? which ones are you talking about, the Eldar ones, or the Tau ones?" when their effectivness in battle will be worth remembering their rules.

That said, I think the Pathfinder upgrade is NEVER a bad idea, unless you're short on points.

[Silar]

hey thanks for the quick reply, you've given me some good points to think about.
guess its now a case of playing them and seeing what works for me.

[Sallieman]

That said, I think the Pathfinder upgrade is NEVER a bad idea, unless you're short on points.

I'd Like to second this. My 1500 pts list takes 10 pathfinders, my 2000pts list takes 20. I don't think i'd take them as rangers as the jump from a 3+ cover to a 2+ cover is undescribable. Let alone you double your chances of getting ap1 and get to ignore difficault terrain, I don't think you'll regret spending the points.

PS: they have never failed me.

[Silar]

"My 1500 pts list takes 10 pathfinders"
It's good to know you field this amount as i was thinking of having a squad 10 at 1500, but was worried if it was taking up much points. Hopefully soon my army will be at the fully painted 1500pt stage and i will be able to put up a list for you guys to look over.
Then hopefully talk/bribe one of you guys into teaching me how to play 5th (last time i played was back when dark eldar was released 3rd edition i think?).

[Sallieman]

I run 2 squads of 5. There more survivable. If one flamer deepstrikes next 2 a squad of 10 all ten are most likely dead. with 2 squad of 5 you have a bit more flexibility.

I'll be happy to run you through 5th.