Sentinel

The Sentinel is a one-man, all-terrain, lightweight, bipedal combat walker that is used by the various regiments of the Astra Militarum. The Sentinel is most favoured when patrols of guardsmen must move across rough terrain that would completely immobilise heavier vehicles.

Sentinels achieve a perfect balance of robustness and mobility, able to negotiate terrain that would immobilise heavier main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles whilst still able to face down fire that would shred ranks of infantry.

Role[]

The Sentinel uses a robust and highly sophisticated gyro-stabiliser system that keeps the walker steady while traversing any terrain, including steep slopes and deep craters. The articulated legs of the Sentinel allow the walker to stalk quietly through urban ruins or dense undergrowth while still allowing it to achieve an impressive speed over open ground. Scout Sentinels have noise-reduction modifications applied to their power-plants to reduce the possibility of their movements being heard by the enemy.

The crews of Sentinel squads will adapt their vehicles for all sorts of difficult operating environments, making use of everything from large chainsaws for cutting through dense jungles and forests to servo-claw spikes that can grip glacial planes. Sentinels are often fielded in squadrons as scouts or infantry fire support vehicles. They can carry a variety of heavy weapons and bring intense firepower and maneuverability together in one highly mobile unit. Scout Sentinels are lightly armoured, however, and are susceptible to heavy barrages of small arms fire.

Some Sentinels, appropriately called Armoured Sentinels, may possess better cockpit armour-plating than the norm and are fitted with stabilisers to let them carry heavier weaponry. This transforms the Sentinel's role in an Imperial Guard regiment from one of armed reconnaissance and light infantry fire support to one of full-on anti-armour or even artillery support.

While Scout Sentinels range ahead of the main force, conducting hit-and-run raids and ambushes, Armoured Sentinels march alongside columns of Imperial battle tanks or at the fore of Astra Militarum infantry formations, laying waste to the foe without breaking stride. Both Scout Sentinels and Armoured Sentinels are often deployed far from Imperial supply lines, deep within enemy territory. When operating as autonomous units, the pilots of Sentinel squadrons are often forced to use their own initiative -- a quality that is not generally fostered in Imperial soldiers. As a result, many Sentinel pilots have acquired a reputation as would-be hotshots, glory seekers or insubordinate mavericks.

Unit Composition[]

• 2-4 Sentinels

Armament[]

The Imperial Sentinel can be armed with a wide variety of weapons. The original Sentinel design called for a completely open canopy and an Assault Cannon as the walker's standard armament, but eventually this design fell out of use in place of more common weaponry and an armoured or partially armoured canopy.

In the 41st Millennium the Astra Militarum usually equips its Sentinels with whichever weapons are most tactically useful for a given mission or campaign, but some regiments use their own standard pattern of Sentinel.

The most common armament of the Sentinel originates on the Forge World of Mars and carries a Multi-Laser, with a partially armoured canopy. This Mars Pattern Scout Sentinel is used by regiments across the Imperium. Sentinels can also be equipped with Autocannons, Lascannons, Missile Launchers, Multi-Meltas, Heavy Flamers, Plasma Cannons, and Heavy Bolters.

The heavy fire support variant of the Sentinel, the Support Sentinel, can be equipped with a Multi-Rocket Pod to maximise the missile ordnance load. Any Sentinel outfitted with missile weapons will make use of both Frag and Krak Missiles for effectiveness in both anti-personnel and anti-armour roles.

All Sentinels can be outfitted with Camouflage Netting, Searchlights, and Smoke Launchers. Armoured Sentinels equipped with fully armoured canopies have additional gyro-stabilizers which allow them to carry and fire heavier weapons, as well as Auspex arrays that are used to equip a powerful Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher that allows the Sentinel to serve in an anti-armour role.

Notable Sentinel Variants[]

There are multiple known variants and patterns of the Sentinel, and each one presents a different combination of primary weapon, pilot protection, and operational role on the battlefield. The known variants include:

Support Sentinel[]

Support Sentinels are used as light artillery support units for Astra Militarum armoured companies and fire support for Astra Militarum infantry regiments. These Sentinels are usually equipped with an external Multi-Rocket Pod when serving in this role.

Scout Sentinel[]

The Scout Sentinel has a partially armoured canopy and is used mainly for scouting and reconnaissance purposes. These Sentinels are usually armed with either Multi-Lasers or Heavy Flamers. Employed primarily for reconnaissance duties and light infantry fire support, the Scout Sentinel is used by many Astra Militarum regiments to locate and obliterate knots of enemy resistance in daring ambushes and surprise attacks, bursts from Multi-Lasers and gouts of super-heated promethium eliminating swathes of enemy troops.

Scout Sentinels are fitted with sophisticated gyro-stabilisers to assist them as they traverse the rockiest cratered battlefield and the steepest of slopes. Articulated legs enable them to stalk quietly through dense undergrowth or urban ruins whilst permitting an impressive burst of speed over open territory. These scout vehicles' power plants also incorporate noise-reduction modification so as not to alert the enemy to their presence.

The crewmen of these Scout Sentinels often adapt their vehicles further, and all manner of rough terrain innovations are seen across various Militarum Regimentos. The Valhallan Ice Warriors often attach servo-driven claw spikes to the feet of their Scout Sentinels that can grip to glacial planes, whereas the Catachan Jungle Fighters have been known to rig their scout walkers with giant chainsaws to clear a path through thick jungles.

The Scout Sentinel is not intended for extended front-line combat operations. Its unshielded crew compartment allows the pilot to survey their prey, but at the cost of making them vulnerable to small-arms fire. To maintain mobility, the walker also lacks the armour and ferro-steel plating of a fully-fledged main battle tank.

Armoured Sentinel[]

The Armoured Sentinel has a fully enclosed, heavily-armoured canopy. The mechanical legs of an Armoured Sentinel are also modified with recoil compensators in place of additional gyro-stabilisers, marginally decreasing their speed but allowing them to fire more powerful weapon systems such as Lascannons, Plasma Cannons and Autocannons.

Sentinels become superb battlefront units when they are fitted with Extra Armour Plating, allowing them to stride through a deluge of weapons fire that would cripple or destroy a lighter combat walker. Sensor arrays and auspex systems are replaced with additional power cells and cooling systems to allow the Armoured Sentinel to fulfil its role as a mobile heavy weapons platform.

Armoured Sentinels are used as roving, hunter-killer units, forming search-and-destroy teams that stalk enemy battle tanks. Once their quarry is located, it is eliminated with practised efficiency, plasma and Lascannon fire slicing through the thickest ablative plating.

Drop Sentinel[]

The Drop Sentinel has a modified engine and a modified canopy in order to fit inside of the Valkyrie Assault Carrier. Two Drop Sentinels can be carried by the Valkyrie Sky Talon and dropped into a combat zone.

The Sentinels are dropped from a low altitude and use Grav-Chutes in order to make a soft landing. These Sentinels are usually armed with either a Heavy Bolter, Heavy Flamer or a Multi-Melta. They are most commonly used as fire support by regiments of the Elysian Drop Troops.

Sentinel Power-lifter[]

The Sentinel Power-lifter is a non-combat logistics platform and is equipped with two, large power claws that are used to grip and hold heavy objects like missiles and other heavy ordnance and transport them short distances or lift them into place on other Imperial vehicles or aircraft.

However, the power claws of the Sentinel Power-lifter can be used as extremely effective melee weapons against enemy infantry in extreme circumstances.

Notable Sentinel Patterns[]

There are several different patterns of Sentinel depending on their Astra Militarum Militarum Regimento of origin, which further specialises one of the primary operational roles outlined above depending on local circumstances, tactical needs and military cultures.

• Armageddon Pattern - The Armageddon Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Lascannon, one of the most effective anti-tank weapons the Imperial Guard possesses, and this pattern is used in a very effect anti-armour role. The canopy is also fully enclosed with armour plating.

• Cadian Pattern - The Cadian Pattern Sentinel is armed with an Autocannon which is effective against more "elite" armoured infantry units and standard vehicles. Its canopy is fully enclosed and armoured.

• Catachan Pattern - The Catachan Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Heavy Flamer and Sentinel-sized chainsword for use in the dense jungles of the Death World of Catachan and planets with similar tropical environments. This pattern is both highly effective at clearing a path through heavy jungle terrain as well as decimating lightly armoured troops. In accordance with Catachan Jungle Fighters combat doctrine, most Catachan Pattern Sentinels are extremely well camouflaged. The canopy of the Catachan Sentinel is only partially armoured, but it is covered in camouflaged netting in order to better blend in with its surroundings.

• Elysian Pattern - The Elysian Pattern Sentinel is armed with either a Multi-melta or a Heavy Bolter. The Multi-melta variant is used by the regiments of the Elysian Drop Troops as a substitute for more heavily armed and armored vehicles such as the Leman Russ main battle tank that is not used by the Elysians in their role as light infantry. The Elysian Pattern Sentinel's main weapon is extremely effective against even the most heavily armoured vehicles. The Heavy Bolter variant of this pattern is used to mow down densely-packed infantry formations, and is vital to the Elysians when they are operating against a larger force of infantry. Both variants of this pattern have been modified to fit inside a Valkyrie and are fitted with Grav-Chutes, so they can be "parachuted" into combat alongside Elysian troops as the engines and canopy of this Sentinel has been downsized in order to fit inside of a Valkyrie. The canopy is only partially armoured.

• Mars Pattern - The Mars Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Multi-Laser which is effective against infantry formations and lightly armored vehicles. This pattern uses a partially armoured canopy.

• Praetorian Pattern - The Praetorian Pattern Sentinel is quite a different beast compared to its brethren. The main differences include the removal of almost the entire canopy and a simpler walking mechanism. The legs of the Praetorian Pattern have one less knee joint compared to other patterns of Sentinel and are covered in thick armour plate. This is in accordance with Praetorian Guard combat doctrine, which is heavily focused around lines of infantry, in countless ranks, firing lasguns in massed volleys, supported by heavy weapons teams. The Praetorian Pattern Sentinel complements this strategy by acting as a mobile heavy weapon team, rather than a fast attack or reconnaissance vehicle as is more common among other Imperial Guard Militarum Regimentos. This pattern has been known to mount Punisher Assault Cannons as its primary armament.

• Tallarn Pattern - The Tallarn Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Multi-Laser. It has larger feet than the other Sentinel patterns to provide better balance on the loose sand of the battle zones it is used in. It normally is manufactured with only a partially armoured canopy because of the high heat experienced in Tallarn's desolate, desert environments.

Notable Sentinel Formations[]

• Emperor's Shield Infantry Platoon - An Emperor's Shield Infantry Platoon is a formation used by the Astra Militarum that consists of an infantry platoon of guardsmen on foot with the support of between one to three squadrons of Scout or Armoured Sentinels. Three Emperor's Shield Infantry Platoons can be combined to form an Emperor's Shield Infantry Company.

• Emperor's Talons Recon Company - An Emperor's Talons Recon Company is a Sentinel formation that consists of three squadrons of Sentinels, of any type, and a single formation leader, also of any type. The Sentinel formation leader is often a combat-hardened veteran, and they and their reconnaissance company are usually tasked with hunting down a specific enemy unit and destroying it. These Sentinels stalk their prey relentlessly, carefully crossing the battlefield and emerging from the shadows to strike down their target with the utmost efficiency.

• Armageddon Stompa Hunters - Traditionally, the Sentinel is considered ill-suited to deal with enemy super-heavy, Titan-class war engines like Ork Stompas, being completely outgunned and out-classed in almost every regard. However, when Armoured Sentinels are organised into large hunting packs, usually consisting of up to five Armoured Sentinels, they are capable of producing a torrent of firepower that can topple giants. The Armoured Sentinel formations that roam the Ash Wastes of Armageddon are the most illustrious of this breed. These Sentinels are armed with powerful anti-armour weapons, such as Lascannons and Plasma Cannons.

Notable Users of the Sentinel[]

• Departmento Munitorum - The Departmento Munitorum uses the Sentinel Power-lifter as a logistics vehicle to transport and load ordnance for the Imperial Guard.

• Adeptus Mechanicus - The Adeptus Mechanicus uses the Sentinel Power-lifter as a logistics vehicle.

• Imperial Navy - The Imperial Navy makes use of the Sentinel Power-lifter as an ordnance loader on the flight decks of its starships.

• 17th Tallarn Regiment - The 17^th Tallarn Regiment made use of Sentinels when it fought during the Taros Campaign against the T'au.

• 12th Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Fought against the T'au during the Taros Campaign.

• 23rd Elysian Drop Troops Regiment - All 42 Drop Sentinels of the 23^rd Elysian Drop Troops Regiment were destroyed fighting against the Tau during the Taros Campaign.

• 2774th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing - The 2774^th Fighter Wing, like many Imperial Navy fighter wings, uses the Sentinel Power-lifter as a logistical support platform and ordnance loader.

• 99th Elysian Drop Troop Regiment - The 99^th Elysian Regiment commonly deployed Sentinels against the escaped Tyranids at a secret Adeptus Mechanicus research facility on Beta Anphelion IV.

• 266th Cadian Regiment - The 266^th Cadian Regiment also made use of the ubiquitous Sentinel against the escaped Tyranids at a secret Adeptus Mechanicus research facility on Beta Anphelion IV.

• Inquisitor Solomon Lok - Inquisitor Lok commandeered several Sentinel Power-lifters to use in combat against the escaped Tyranids of Beta Anphelion IV.

• 181st Elysian Drop Troop Regiment - Used Sentinels during the Raid on Kastorel-Novem against the Orks.

• 226th Elysian Drop Troop Regiment - Fought during the defense of Betalis III against the Asuryani of Craftworld Mymeara

• Cadian 412th Regiment - When the 412^th Cadian faced the Craftworld Aeldari, Ork, and Necron forces on the planet of Lorn V, it deployed numerous Sentinels.

• 1st Kronus Regiment - The 1^st Kronus Regiment made extensive use of the Sentinel when it fought during the Dark Crusade against multiple enemy forces drawn from most of the major xenos factions in the galaxy

• 252nd Kauravan Conservator Regiment - At least two Sentinels were in use with the 252^nd Kauravan when its former commander was killed in combat against forces of the T'au Empire. Following his replacement by General Vance Stubbs, the regiment made extensive use of Sentinels as it fought to defend and retake the Kaurava System.

• 85th Vendoland - The 85^th Vendoland made extensive use of Sentinels when it fought during the First Aurelian Crusade against an invading Tyranid splinter Hive Fleet of Hive Fleet Leviathan.
• 597th Valhallan - This regiment fields three outrider squadrons of three Scout Sentinels, each squadron armed with one Lascannon, one Multilaser and one Heavy Flamer.

• Ciaphas Cain's Heroes - This ad hoc Perlian army's sole tech-priest, Enginseer Tayber, used a modified Sentinel Power-lifter as her personal vehicle. The walker's handling claws and maneuverability made it an excellent roadside service vehicle, while the Heavy Flamer and enormous fuel tank she installed made it a powerful combat unit in a pinch.

• Catachan Jungle Fighters - The Catachan Pattern Sentinel is a standard fire support unit for any of the Catachan Jungle Fighters regiments hailing from the Death World of Catachan. It is often their only accessible form of heavy support, since most of the Imperium's main battle tanks would quickly bog down and become unable to proceed in a dense jungle environment.

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications[]

See Also[]

• Imperial Vehicles
• Imperial Guard Vehicles

Sources[]

• Codex: Astra Militarum (8th Edition), pp. 44, 106, 107
• Codex: Astra Militarum (6th Edition) (Digital Edition), "Sentinels," "Fast Attack-Scout Sentinel Squadron," "Fast Attack-Armoured Sentinel Squadron"
• Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition), pg. 45
• Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex), pg. 47
• Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex), pg. 18
• Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, pp. 155-158
• Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard (Second Edition), pp. 9, 219-227, 259, 267
• Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign, pp. 236-242
• Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project, pp. 62, 65, 70
• Imperial Armour Volume Eight - The Raid on Kastorel-Novem, pg. 27
• Imperial Armour Volume Eleven - The Doom of Mymeara, pp. 13
• Imperial Armour, pg. 49
• Imperial Armour Update 2006, pg. 8
• Imperial Guard Collector's Edition 2003, pp. 39-42
• Only War: Core Rulebook (RPG), pp. 80, 112, 219
• Warhammer 40,000: Apocalypse (6th Edition), pp. 143, 365
• War Zone Damocles: Mont'ka, pg. 154
• Dawn of War - Winter Assault (PC Game)
• Dawn of War - Dark Crusade (PC Game)
• Dawn of War - Soulstorm (PC Game)
• Dawn of War II (PC Game)
• Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising (PC Game)
• Dawn of War II - Retribution (PC Game)
• White Dwarf 113, "Imperial Guard Sentinel"

Gallery[]

A long-lost, advanced airborne drop assault pattern Sentinel of the Imperial Army's Fellesian 5^th Airborne Auxiliary ("Horgan's Scrappers") during the Great Crusade.

An early pattern of Sentinel used by the Astra Militarum.

An early Praetorian Pattern Sentinel utilised by the Praetorian Guard Astra Militarum regiments.

A Tallarn Pattern Sentinel armed with a Multi-Laser and used by the Astra Militarum's Tallarn Desert Raiders regiments.

A Drop Sentinel of the 23rd Elysian Regiment, armed with a Multi-Melta.

A Support Sentinel of the 12th Tallarn Armoured regiment; deployed during the Taros Campaign.

The standard Mars Pattern Scout Sentinel, armed with a Multi-Laser.

A Catachan Pattern Scout Sentinel armed with a Heavy Flamer and a chain saw.

An Armageddon Pattern Armoured Sentinel armed with a Lascannon.

An Elysian Pattern Armoured Sentinel armed with a Multi-Melta.

A Support Sentinel armed with a Multi-Rocket Pod.

A Sentinel Power-lifter in the time-consuming process of re-arming a Manticore.

A Scout Sentinel armed with a Multi-Laser.