Pathfinder
The Pathfinder System is an advanced piece of technology designed to function as both a personal shielding system against inclement weather conditions and elemental disruptions, and as an advanced sensory array designed to provide additional data where normal satellite navigation systems would fail or be otherwise insufficient.
The Jade Town Trainers can receive one from Robyn when they encounter her in Galena Town, and it serves a crucial role in exploring certain areas in depth.
The Pathfinder System at a Glance
When the system is engaged, the Pathfinder System projects a shield bubble around itself and its holder. This shield is not merely protective - it provides a larger surface area and an amplifier for the system's scanners, data from which is cross-referenced with more traditional satellite-navigation data in order to provide an increased degree of detail and real-time data concerning obstacles, wandering Pokémon etc. This may be of particular value in places where visibility is compromised due to thick mists or as protection against fierce sandstorms. The interior of the shield bubble may also provide some degree of climate control, making exploration of such conditions more tolerable.
Upgrades
Like many elements of Pokémon-world technology, the Pathfinder System is modular and may obtain additional functionalities through certain upgrades:
Bathysphere
The Bathysphere upgrade both improves the atmospheric capabilities of the Pathfinder's Shield, permitting it to also function underwater and under high pressure conditions - and also the resolution of its sensors, allowing the shield to detect the magnitude and direction of forces operating on it and emit vibrations that would generate the equal-and-opposite forces over a short distance. This provides improved functionality in aquatic environments and would enables a user riding suitable Water Pokémon to cross dangerous rapids as though they were surfing on calm waters, as well as to dive underwater with their Pokémon and explore the depths.
