Honest Review: NERF RIVAL Pathfinder (RIVAL IS BACK BABY!!!)

I was worried for a while that Hyper might signal the end of the Rival line, but Rival is back with a brand new gimmick.
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Drac Thalassa
4426 Hugh Howell Rd.
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Tucker, GA 30084
#DracNerf #Nerf #Rival

[@DefinitelyNattox]

I feel like Hasbro saw the pump action Finisher kit and was like “we could do that but with big neon”

[@aschmidty11]

I think Hasbro just realized that their previous pump rival blasters haven’t been that impressive

[@michaelkimel8290]

👍 yep

[@jonathanwieler8315]

@@aschmidty11 artemis? Hades?

[@stevenbobbybills]

@@jonathanwieler8315 perhaps Alex meant the detachable magazine ones.

[@echo3568]

How could we make this look child friendly?

[@ClintsReptiles]

Rival is the best thing that The Mother Ship has ever done. I'm so happy to see that it lives on!

[@ChristochatBTW]

Clint?! What are you doing here?

[@donsmith4935]

Reptile guys can like nerf too

[@ChristochatBTW]

@@donsmith4935 oh yeah I agree I'm the same way :)

[@smackyfrog6046]

So weird seeing you here, Clint!

[@ipadbossbaby4558]

What a weird cross over but also somehow it makes sense

[@reesesollars1553]

In my opinion Hasbro going back to rival can mean two things 1. Hasbro realized hyper is a failure. Or 2. Hasbro realized that there is still a huge demand for rival blasters

[@thesodathief]

Lets hope for both haha

[@Galaxy613]

I really don't think they would abandon Hyper so soon. I expect 2-3 more blasters before they write it off.

[@adamaglionby7438]

@@Galaxy613 Ultra has lived on longer than expected

[@Amiral_VCZ]

Uh not really, Hyper is vert different to Rival, Hyper is not die, but Rival is not dead too.

[@thesodathief]

@@adamaglionby7438 Dang yeah when you bring up ultra, maybe hasbro has big plans for hyper. One reason I do think it will be going away pretty soon is all of the blasters have had a permanent drop in price of almost 20$ across the board, little kids dont want em, and neither do the grown up hobbyists. It has a TON of potential and its a shame that we havent seen it live up to that potential at all yet (except for rush 40 with a hopup)

[@ironjester2273]

I'd argue that the hypnos fulfilled the springer, mag fed "alphatrooper" role, but admit that the "p90" esque loading system did make it harder to quickswap mags, and it is definitely more bulky

[@firstNamelastName-ho6lv]

Plus the stock hypnos sucks, you have to remove all the locks inside for it to feed reliability.

[@skipsnapdoesfish8457]

So…many…misfires

[@ElderDjinn]

13:19 I just love how Drac instinctively HK slapped a non-existent charging handle. Can't tell if it's because of the blaster's likeness to a UMP or if it's just a general SMG habit.

[@CaptainResident]

SMG habit. After a lotta exposure to HK platforms, you kind of get it engraved into your memory with anything that loads the magazine with a front-facing angle.

[@elijahwhistler4795]

OMG IT TOTALLY LOOKS LIKE A UMP

[@albertosara416]

i like the slim and less bulky look it has when compared to the vast majority of other nerf rival blasters we've seen

[@caliginousmoira8565]

has to look waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different than a gun....... you know why....

[@mandofarmboy]

I genuinely like that it looks like a 3-gun AR/racegun, but sci-fi and safe for public games. The stock, adjustable sights, and mag compatibility (making a return) all have me excited to use this one as a plinker, as well as a primary for public games once it’s safe to be around people again. Looking forward to picking it up.

[@stevenbobbybills]

It definitely has a faint resemblance to say, an MPX.

[@mandofarmboy]

@@stevenbobbybills oh for sure. That skinny-mag-9mil-PCC/PDW look. And the aggressive angle of the mag really sells it. A darn handsome look overall, and excellent in this color scheme and overall silhouette. Genuinely can’t wait to grab two-one to keep stock and one to mod

[@EdwardCoplinBatman]

Hey spoilers. Unless your 80 years old with commorbidities.... it's safe to be around people again.

[@mandofarmboy]

@@EdwardCoplinBatman My partner’s immunocompromised with other medical conditions. Omicron has risk of breakthrough transmission, even with vaccinations (which we have). So. Not gonna risk contracting it/bringing home to them. But thanks for telling me it’s okay to give it a run. Appreciate the input!

[@PureCountryof91]

H&K UMP 45.. mag angle, square nose, aperture rear sight is nice to see, the fact that it has windage, and elevation is indicative of some new team members

[@DoubleL11862]

I wouldn't even really say the Hades is in the same class. You have to be pretty dedicated to the heavy weapons play-style to make that work. The Pathfinder I think will have a good niche as a Rival Alpha Trooper.

[@GrimzNerfWorks]

While I personally am not the biggest rival fan, this definitely is a quite cool option. I also like the look of it, and have a feeling Cybran can do some interesting things with this for some of his integration projects.

[@wildmangeorgesrcchannel6916]

Do you own any of the new blue yellow rival line

[@pok3fan12]

I'm excited to see Rival making it's return! The main thing that really hurts this is the same thing as most Rival blasters, that being it's lack of modularity

[@Demanime]

This thing looks sick ngl, could see some really cool mods and paint jobs on it

[@sly2955]

It would look funny with a drum mag on it tbh

[@dontkickmychick6076]

@@sly2955 wonder how that would work, like how would you make the rounds curve into the drum mag shape

[@sly2955]

@@dontkickmychick6076 idk, but my question is would it be mechanically possible?

[@Demanime]

@@sly2955 lol that would be funny

[@sly2955]

@@dymetryius2865 I'm really trying to figure out how it'd be possible, both mechanically and physically

[@beast0339]

windage and elevation adjustments on a foam-flinger? what is this witchcraft?! This looks really cool, I want one 😅

[@ShadowDaPk]

At the average and maximum ranges especially for Rival, I really doubt wind and elevation matter much.

[@10thCompanyCaptain]

Honestly I'm super excited for this blaster, I like the styling, got a sci-fi look about it.

[@robblerobble8382]

The "optimized barrel" is probably referring to how aerodynamic it is when you run REALLY fast with it. 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@polarbear4696]

That screams for a pdw like mp5 stock, honey badger look going on there and all. I kinda want one

[@theKhaosFactor]

Drac- you should do an extensive review on the new ammo, like cut it open and analyze it completely.

[@peabrain6872]

why did you put a dash

[@theKhaosFactor]

To indicate a sudden break or separation in a sentence.

[@peabrain6872]

@@theKhaosFactor comma

[@AmanStudios]

Thanks for the early review man!

[@bettabasics643]

Hello aman

[@delta-05-]

G'day mate!

[@terminator5084]

I love your videos bro❤

[@Maniac4Bricks]

Sadly the Hades is discontinued, but I have seen from time to time that Barnes & Noble still carries them between their physical stores and online. I'm just glad that I picked mine up before it fell off the shelf, because it still remains my favorite rival blaster to use in games

[@BrxIghtside]

I bought one with upgraded spring and 3d printed pump grip absolute monster can fire forever

[@damion9742]

They say imitation is the best flattery. That being said, Captain Slug should be positively glowing. Everytime i see the Pathfinder, all i can think about is how heavily "inspired" hasbro was by Captain Slugs RivalBurn.

[@Pastaa_CEO]

How so? It mostly just looks like a pump action magged Springer

[@09jeremiah80]

@@Pastaa_CEO yea it just looks like those pump action apollo's and helios'

[@NightFury-jd8ce]

Thanks for the comparative ammo test firing and CQB "MP-5-esque" option rundown Drac!

[@TheFuzzyOcelot]

The aesthetics on this thing are off the charts for me. That diagonal mag can't be practical but like it looks so cool!

[@MAUSofGold]

this still looks like a MP5... all that would be needed it to turn it from a springer to a electric flywheel smg. i can see a couple people trying that, hell i would to, if i knew what i was doing

[@joeneateyskeety3576]

It’ll be a tight fit

[@MrJeepinZeke]

Glad to see more Rival. Only real issue I see is the forward angled mag. Looks like it’ll catch on just about everything.

[@ahumblebulbasaur3591]

If the prime had just a bit more clearance it would be amazing. Definitely worth a look at least.

[@WolfMan-nf4lv]

This is an awesome looking blaster, and so are the other two, I am very glad that Rival’s beginning to make a comeback. But with how far that magazine sticks out, this is begging to have curved magazines. Honestly I’d love the look of that a lot.

[@MrMiraculon]

6:40 Don't worry too much, Drac. It looks like the above clearing over the foregrip is smooth enough for someone to add their own Alpha Trooper like grip.

[@jakebritton4421]

I love how slim it is I didn't like how bulky most of the older rival blasters were I'm excited.

[@mcmaster_vlogs9405]

Looks like a weird Sig MCX 😂

[@sly2955]

The overall design reminds me of the origin 12 from MW 19

[@user-mi1nw5wi1z]

More like the MPX. ( Basically 9mil MCX )

[@Drakrylos]

You can definitely tell from the Pathfinder's much more simplistic design that these new blasters are going to be more function over fashion.

[@jensboffin7225]

Some sort of banana-style mag would be dope AF.

[@rduplexdawn]

the Pathfinder looks so good that i’d only get it for that. For something from a mainstream brand, this is AMAZING.

[@dgresham2729]

Good, honest review, Drac. I think any of the shortcomings of this blaster could easily be remedied by 3D printed parts. I think the real test of the new Accu-rounds is going to be how well they perform in modded rival blasters.

[@excelent8732]

This might work with the 7 round Finisher magazine because it look’s like the same design in the Finisher

[@Mildcat743]

Kinda neat how it's the same color scheme as those Target Vortex rereleases from a few years back

[@echo3568]

I think the mag curves forwards so that it doesn’t look like an stm-9 in the dark I guess Edit: the grip not going around the barrel like the alpha trooper lets you add things like body mods, flashlights, lasers, and other stuff

[@yourmomsfbuddy1177]

The colors are so reminiscent of older nerf guns! I love that!

[@what7201]

I just like how it looks like an smg style gun, other than that i wouldn't really use it cus its pump action and its easier to just use hopper fed rival

[@Zenek7274]

Same. New ones are cool, but a Perses is, ironically, unrivaled for price and performance from Nerf

[@stevenbobbybills]

I feel like it has a slight MPX look, if anything.

[@EbilEnemyofBurgerTown]

Looks more like a UMP tbh

[@Inkypencil22]

@@EbilEnemyofBurgerTown lol no

[@LostInfernoFireDragon]

I could see you making an upgrade kit to where this can be used as a Lightning Repeating Cannon from Star Wars.

[@alexkagansky9987]

After The Mothership made us wait two years for another Rival release, I think it's only fitting that they come with blue balls.

[@gabrielpalileo3294]

Two years? We got the entire curve line in 2021, nd the Takedown, Finisher, and Roundhouse the year before that.

[@disky01]

Interesting that they're going back to the 12-round mags. I thought those were dead...but I do think the clear plastic was better for keeping track of remaining rounds. I greatly prefer the older style but I'm glad Rival isn't dead!

[@mattorama]

After doing a bunch of research, this video included, I just dove neck deep into Rival and spent about $200 on blasters, mags and ammo on Black Friday deals. I've always stuck with dart blasters before now.

[@christopherramirez3896]

I am so glad RIVAL is not dead !IMO it was their best ammo type. Now they just need to introduce some new RIVAL accessories. Maybe like 30 round RIVAL drum mag, that would be amazing!

[@TheGreatGonzales777]

SO HYPED FOR THIS THING, THANK GOD RIVAL’S ALIVE!!!

[@poasttoasties6655]

rival magazines that large need a little button on the side so you can grab it swing it and toss all the rival balls in an arc

[@garygearboy1358]

the thing is multiple dimples on goofballs improve the range and accuracy and speed of the ball compared to a more smooth ball and the more hexagonal dimples give a bit more air flow so making them More aerodynamic

[@Spartan412]

Wouldn't mind seeing: - A better pump grip (obviously) - Railing for the top - Extended stock - Flared magwell - Different sight inserts/adjustments (if the iron sights can't be removed without cutting) For the railing though I hope the iron sights are just separate plastic so that they can be swapped out, if not then guess we'll stick to what's on top. As for the stock, you can make the parts snap/screw onto the rear end since there is a gap and geometry to do so~

[@shayanmanteghi5662]

4:15 *Insert "no N-Strike Barrel Lug joke here*

[@RAVEN_SPRING_]

Just discovered you while randomly thinking having random nerd guns would be fun around the place, your like a cool Dwight shrute

[@waitwhichmike]

"a smorgasbord of rounds" That just got you a new sub.

[@josephmyers2930]

i love the color of this new line, its sad the stock doesn't detach

[@GrayWolf5000]

I am glad this is compatible with mags. I own a lot of them I got from someone, but only have one blaster that uses them. Every other blaster I own has internal mags

[@Tayfrog]

I do agree that the magazine facing forward is super odd. Other than that, seems like a solid springer. I'm super happy to see that Rival has made a comeback!

[@jj_zeroshiki]

Is it just me, or do the regular Rival rounds travel further than the new rounds (I'm guessing that they're made in a way that dials down the distance they travel but makes them more controllable for players)

[@juusstis3664]

This blaster for some reason reminds of Pathfinder from apex legends, and it’s also pretty interesting how the blaster is also called the Pathfinder

[@squared6688]

its the color scheme, i was thinkin the same thing

[@kingstonwvnerfer211]

The rival alpha trooper is back!

[@CallSignCarolina]

No joke I was in a tree when I was watching this great job drac keep up the great work hope your having a great day

[@LJALopez]

I'm really hoping that the three new additions to the Rival line become available here in the Philippines, because those designs look simply amazing.

[@stevenbobbybills]

Same here in the UK.

[@Filipekos071]

Same here in poland

[@ritzreborn]

It looks like a healthy start to 2022

[@demgainz2216]

maybe 3d print a foregrip pump and if there isn't anything necessary in the stock you could chop it and do a sling loop or a stock adapter. also do a pic rail and a cheap airsoft optic up top.

[@MortenWill]

I get the sense that more than loaning genes from the Alphatrooper, someone took a long hard look at a Talonclaw. My first though when I saw it was "huh, an official Talonclaw for rival, that's neat".

[@Alfiemon]

This is like a rival nexus Pro and I really want it. This is the first rival blaster I wanted to get in the last year or so

[@thethinkinggriesbach7600]

Me and my brothers had a nerf war on Christmas day and I got this gun as a gift so I used it and I pumbled them, I liked tge gun and found it very accurate and where ever I aimed the ball hit. The only time the ball didn’t go where It was supposed to was when a bad ball was fed in (and when the distance was greater than 80-90 feet). So I like the gun a lot.

[@Reaperman4711]

Rival never won me over, but my cats just love it, so it looks like I can keep getting them new and interesting new toys for at least another year. I'd really thought rival was done, to the extent where I hoarded ammo for them. They don't like generic rival balls--must taste weird.

[@robblerobble8382]

I was prepared to overlook its ergonomic foibles... but NO slam-fire??? That takes it right off the to-get list. Thanks for saving me whatever these are going to cost!

[@ZakLeek]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first blaster to have a large paddle mag-release, nice! I agree that this is a really cool new blaster, and I think it looks super sweet! Thanks for the review Drac. 💙💛🧡 P.S. I love your zip-target/dart catcher invention with the box!

[@user-mi1nw5wi1z]

Wonder if that has anything to do with the Nexus Pro's use of a large paddle mag release... 🤔

[@Floatingbunnyhead]

This blaster looks dope! I'm happy that Rival isn't dead.

[@HeyHeiK1210]

as a guy live in Hong Kong, I feel happy for your shirt . I love your videos

[@chives6k351]

“Gosh i wish that was an n strike attachment” worker: Allow me to introduce myself.

[@scottjs5207]

Half-length conversion kits inbound in 5... 4... 3...

[@Caseyuptobat]

even at under 30ft, there was more obvious drift in the footage with the OG rival rounds. I'm not attributing that to the dimpling. It could be wind. It could be the fact that those are probably used rounds, not factory new like the brand new blueberries. But c'mon Drac, at least own up the the difference.

[@mkendall8393]

Impossible. You can see the look of pain on his face when he has to admit the mothership has designed a decent product that performs as advertised on the packaging. But remember he is Dart Zones darling so don’t expect anything else.

[@UnprofessionalFlip]

The colors on this blaster are very fun.

[@k_taaro]

You could probably fit a custom wraparound grip on that, and it'd look cool too

[@swolpertinger5004]

At least you got a decent magazine. Got mine in today and the bit on top of the included mag is loose so it can barely contain itself and is prone to ejecting its blue balls while loading the mag up. A couple globs of glue on my shell too... it works, but I might need to do some sanding or try some glue solvent. Edit: yeah, as I'm watching closely yours is a little loose, but mine I have to underload it. I can literally see the rounds trying to escape as soon as I lose focus on loading. Putting it in the magwell while it's trying to eject balls is irritating.

[@maxs-lz4pn]

It's ok that the jacket messes up the audio, it's a cool jacket

[@jerseyjackrabbit2829]

like it just the mag is the only issue. if they did a drum mag instead where the balls rotate around it can shorten the mag length while keeping the 12 rounds. standard spring changes and possible adding a small foregrip. i like it but its definitey needs to change that mag angle.

[@slayeroffurries1115]

Wow, this blaster looks so cool

[@nathanunruh3272]

2:31 I see you too have been enlightened :D

[@brodychapman2008]

I think hasbro should make a series that is really tactical but does not shoot that hard then they could sell a mod kit for a specific blaster that modders could buy and have a beast mod that was designed for the blaster if they do this they can get around toy laws and make really good blasters

[@Kuli24000]

So the helios is better? Sweet. I'll keep mine then.

[@somestarman892]

I love this blaster, the mag gives the banana mag front slant vibe. nice

[@justsomeotaku9783]

I would just like to say the mag at the beginning of the intro is inserted backwards, have a good day

[@jasonbrecht8572]

Ditto on gratitude for the early review, Drac! New Rival is a big plus. Though with this one, the forearm smash into the mag whilst priming seems a demerit. Aaaand the stock screams to be extendable, dare I say what coulda been a Raider stock upgrade w/ N-Strike attmnt? Looking forward to your Honest Reviews of the rest of the line. -Scopes Maverick

[@captainfyita2682]

Drac, my man, you like red and hexagons, too? dude, you're like a lost brother.

[@justakid8677]

Nerf or dart zone needs to hire this guy to design there blasters. They would sell like hot cakes and be so nice...

[@officialmidas8734]

Honestly the Pathfinder body shape reminds me of the Tactical AR in John Wick 3 cause of the body style

[@JohnDoe-zl6ut]

I also have a miniature schnauzer who loves foam flinging; how do you keep Jinx from eating rival rounds?

[@koenkooiman1490]

Happy to see rival is still alive!

[@bombarisu4904]

Drac, i needed that CGP Grey reference today. Thank you

[@gabrielwinter1112]

Thank God, Rival is back!!! God bless Drac!

[@plootyluvsturtle9843]

i hope they make more because it looks super cool

[@Foam0Fett]

While I like the design, I’m actually kind of glad it isn’t better than the Rivalburn. That being said Hasbro totally whiffed it by not making the magazine angle back towards the body with how popular that design is (see: Vector, Halo Infinite Commando)

[@AveryDevoll]

If hexagons were more aerodynamic then Golf would’ve changed golf balls to that pattern.

[@LuvzToLol21]

Actually, Callaway has been manufacturing balls with hexagonal dimples for years

[@AveryDevoll]

Just looked that up and you’re correct. Good call

[@masontheawesome9898]

Between this and the sideswipe I’d say Rival has some of the coolest looking blasters out there.

[@SidBurn]

great review, thanks! maybe a pump grip replacement?

[@BrxIghtside]

This is probably the best for anyone just getting into rival its ar15 style nothing complex

[@zeablade9072]

Rival is the only thing nerf is worth for and even then it still is outclassed by dart zone.

[@tharobiiceii]

Nice jacket. I almost didn't get mine when I saw the price. Haha.

[@minecraftWithDanielD]

This blaster is a disappointment. Rival is back, and all we get is a smallish rifle with a mag that sticks out too far and definitely looks like it’ll become a problem to use in the long game (or long battle really). With how broken the rival meta is, you’d think they’d try to recover from that somehow, but apparently not

[@samwalter6304]

Honestly this is probably one of the best looking rival blasters

[@Spessforce]

I hate the color scheme, but I like design and shape a lot. Imagine how much better it would look with a nerf elite color scheme.