eldar pathfinders
I like the Ranger miniatures a lot and wanted to include more of them in my collection. To that end, I decided to convert some to represent Pathfinders. Previous editions of the Eldar codex allowed you to include Pathfinders, but the 7th edition codex removed this option. Nevertheless, I like the concept of experienced Rangers and the modelling opportunities that presents.To represent the Pathfinders' nature (lost on the Path of the Outcast, living a life of adventure and isolation, travelling the galaxy) I wanted to give each Pathfinder a distinctive look and identity, and to model extra details to show their well-travelled nature and their continued divergence away from the strict doctrines of Craftworld life.
Most of the Pathfinders have less equipment than the Rangers. This may seem odd, but I figured that more experienced and well-travelled Eldar would need less and less essential gear to survive in the wilderness. Instead they would be more interested in upgrading what little gear they had to be more efficient and jettisoning unnecessary items. The Rangers all have the same gear as they're just starting out and are using the standard equipment for Rangers.
date: 2012 - present (work-in-progress)
components: Eldar Rangers, Dark Eldar warrior splinter rifle, High Elf accessory, Eldar Guardian backpack components, Eldar Guardian equipment, Dire Avenger equipment, Dire Avenger Shuiken Catapult, Dark Elf Black Ark Corsair knives, Dark Elf Black Ark Corsair legs, Dark Eldar Dark Lance, Space Marine combat knife, Space Marine grenades, classic Eldar Ranger, brass rod, guitar wire, Green Stuff, coiled brass wire, Dark Elves Dark Rider Head, Illic Nightspear head
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The rifle barrel has been extended using brass rod and Green Stuff.
The Pathfinder's head has been removed and then repositioned to face in a different direction.
I remodelled the Pathfinder's left hand using Green Stuff.
These dangling pouches on this Ranger backpack have been bent so that they lie on the ground.
1. This Pathfinder is based on the limited-edition Ranger.
A High Elf accessory has been added to represent extra equipment and soulstones that the Pathfinder has retrieved from fallen Eldar.
This part was taken from the Eldar Guardians set and represents the more advanced equipment that the Pathfinders carry.
2. A side view of the Pathfinder.
Extra pouches were modelled on the backpack using Green Stuff.
The cable between the rifle's targeter and the eyepiece was extended using a short length of guitar wire.
3. Another angle of the first Pathfinder.
This knife could either be from a fallen victim, or the Pathfinder staking it in the ground whilst he surveys the scene.
This rifle has had a bayonet added to it. This was originally part of a classic Dark Eldar Warrior's Splinter Rifle.
This bare head was taken from an old Ranger miniature.
4. This second Pathfinder has a more savage appearance. He is also based on the limited-edition kneeling Ranger model.
The rest of the hair was sculpted with Green Stuff.
This is a Dark Elf Black Ark Corsair knife, held in place with Green Stuff straps.
5. A back view of the second Pathfinder.
6. The first Pathfinder, completed and undercoated. A tree was added to the base to tie this unit in with the Rangers.
This piece came from a Dark Eldar Darklance.
This hand and dagger are from the Dark Elf Black Ark Corsair kit.
7. This third Pathfinder conversion has had some relatively simple work done on it, but it changes the dynamic of the miniature quite effectively.
Battle damage was etched into the helmet with a craft knife, to show this Pathfinder's dangerous travels.
A hood will be modelled in Green Stuff over his shoulders.
8. My fourth Pathfinder conversion uses a headswap from another Ranger.
9. This fifth Pathfinder conversion uses a leg from a Dark Elf Black Ark Corsair to give him the appearance of crouching on some overgrown ruins to take his shot.
A head swap changes the appearance of the model quite a bit. Green Stuff was used to fill in damaged areas and sculpt additional hair.
The barrel of this Pathfinder's Long Rifle has been swapped out for one from a Dark Eldar Dark Lance
10. The sixth Pathfinder conversion.
11. The sixth Pathfinder conversion from the back. Mon-keigh grenades have been added to the Pathfinder's belt.
12. The seventh Pathfinder uses a modified Long Rifle that fires shurikens instead of a laser bolt. In games of course this will have no effect, but I liked the idea of a Pathfinder preferring a different kind of weapon.
13. Rear view of the seventh Pathfinder.
14. The third Pathfinder conversion, now completed.
15. The third Pathfinder's equipment includes a scabbard for the long knife that he's wielding.
16. The fourth Pathfinder.
17. Rear view of the fourth Pathfinder. An Eldar Guardian warp vane has been added.
18. The fifth Pathfinder, with the remaining Green Stuff sculpting work completed.
19. Rear view of the fifth Pathfinder.
20. The eighth Pathfinder is the only woman in the squad.
21. Rear view of the eighth Pathfinder.
22. The ninth Pathfinder uses the head from a Dark Elves Dark Rider and Illic Nightspear's topknot.
23. The ninth Pathfinder carries a spare scope for his rifle.
24. The tenth Pathfinder was made by combining the torso and legs from two different models. The ninth and tenth models in the squad don't have extended Long Rifle barrels; I figured that not all Pathfinders would end up modifying their equipment in the same fashion. Perhaps these two have upgraded the power cores or the optics instead.
25. Rear view of the tenth Pathfinder model. I am pleased with how the two halves of the model blend together, now that the Green Stuff sculpting has been completed.
26. The third Pathfinder, undercoated.
27. The fourth Pathfinder, undercoated.
28. The fifth Pathfinder, undercoated.
29. The sixth Pathfinder, undercoated.
30. The seventh undercoated Pathfinder.
31. The eighth undercoated Pathfinder.
32. The ninth Pathfinder conversion, now undercoated.
33. The tenth and final undercoated Pathfinder.
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