Sentinel
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This article is about the Imperial combat walkers. For other uses of Sentinel, see Sentinel (disambiguation). |
A Sentinel is a bipedal, all-terrain walker used by the Imperial Guard for a number of missions including reconnaissance and search-and-destroy.[4]
Contents
History
When the nascent Imperium reunited with the Knight Worlds during the Great Crusade, they found that, in addition to the Knights used in battle by the nobility, there were also lesser unarmed frames used by Drovers – the non-noble herdsmen who tended the fields and estates. One such popular and tested frame, the Drover suit, would be armed and adapted into the Sentinel widely used by the Imperial Army and Imperial Guard.[23]
Design
The Sentinel achieves movement with a pair of articulated legs, which allow for both maneuverability in dense environments and bursts of speed on open terrain.[4] The walker is even capable of spinning around on one leg.[24] Sentinels can vary in height, though are usually between seventeen[3c] and eighteen feet tall.[25] They are fitted with advanced gyro-stabilizers to improve their balance, and their powerplants include noise-reduction technology for stealthy operation.[4] Though it cannot move with the speed of the wheeled vehicle, the Sentinel can run, much like a man.[10] By condensing its leg pistons and lowering the cockpit, the Sentinel is even able to jump while moving at full speed, continuing to fire its weapon system in the process. In case the walker drops ten feet, the fall is absorbed by the Sentinel's hydromechanics.[24]
Besides the addition of more armour or different weaponry, Sentinels can be modified in a multitude of ways. The most common include adding Camo Netting, a searchlight, smoke launchers, and/or a Hunter-Killer Missile. Other adaptations can be made depending on where the Sentinel operates, such as servo-driven claw spikes for a better grip when walking over glacial planes.[4]
Battlefield Role
The bipedal locomotion afforded by the Sentinel gives it a unique ability to advance into terrain that other armoured vehicles with tracks could not possibly hope to achieve. This allows it to stalk through dense jungles or urban ruins to locate and wipe out pockets of enemy resistance, though their light armour and exposed crew compartment leaves them vulnerable to even small-arms fire. Armoured Sentinels which have an enclosed cockpit and heavier weapons however are used more as roving hunter-killer units, seeking out and destroying enemy tanks where they can find them.[4]
Because Sentinels typically operate far ahead of the main Imperial force, they tend to operate autonomously in squadrons of one to three Sentinels or as part of a larger recon troop. As such, pilots often use their own initiative with regard to their orders. Many pilots have a history as insubordinate mavericks, although due to their invaluable support in scouting this is usually overlooked. When they are not used in a scouting role they are deployed on the flanks of the army to harry enemy formations or act as mobile anti-armour squadrons.[4]
The Sentinel is the workhorse of virtually every Imperial Guard formation. It is even the exception to the rule that all Armoured Companies include only tanks.[55]
Armament
The weaponry of the Sentinel varies greatly depending on variation and role, but typical armament includes a single heavy weapon that is most often a Multi-Laser. These can be replaced with an Autocannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon, or Heavy Flamers. In addition to this weapon, some Sentinels also sport a Hunter-Killer Missile and a large Chainsaw.[17]
Variations
There are many different patterns of Sentinel, each being armed differently.[10] Generally speaking, two significant categories of Sentinel are the Scout Sentinel, characterized by its open top configuration.[17][47][53] and the Armoured Sentinel, characterized by its fully enclosed cockpits.[17][29][53]
Scout Sentinels
The Scout Sentinel is characterised by its open-topped configuration [17][47] its default armament being a Multi-laser[17][10][1] which it may switch out for a Heavy Flamer, Autocannon, Lascannon, Missile Launcher or Multiple Rocket Pod.[10] Open cockpits and augur devices enable the pilots of Scout Sentinels to survey the enemy with ease, while their lighter armour and enhanced gyro-stabilisers allow them to swiftly traverse the roughest terrain and bring heavy weapons to bear from unanticipated angles.[16][17][47] Many examples of them visually sport a roll cage or protective bars around the driver's compartment:
Miniatures:
Images:
Sentinel with Multi-Laser[1]
An Operator in a Scout Sentinel[54]
Assault Cannon Sentinel
A sentinel armed with Assault Cannon,[48][50][51] all examples observed as open toppped. Its world of origin or specific pattern name is not mentioned in sources.
Sentinel with Assault Cannon of the Cadian Shock Troops[50]
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Praetorian Guard Sentinel
A variant of Assault Cannon sentinel, fielded by the Praetorian Guard.[50][49][69]
Cadian Sentinel
The Cadian Pattern Sentinel produced on Cadia is armed with an Autocannon, making it ideal for destroying armoured infantry and light-to-medium vehicles. It is upgraded with extra armour in order to better protect the pilot.[3] Visibly, based on the vehicle's appearance, it is distinct by its partially surrounded cockpit than the more typical roll-cage associated seen on other scout sentinels, however it is still open-topped unlike an Armoured Sentinel (See model image).
Catachan Sentinel
The Catachan Pattern Sentinel, also called Death World Sentinels originated on Catachan and is often employed by other regiments native to Death Worlds[3][8]. They are equipped with a Heavy Flamer and are built with Rough Terrain Modification upgrades as standard, with the most common type of these being a Chainsaw attachment. The crews of these Deathworld Sentinels quickly learn how useful the chainsaw can be in close combat. However, they are not built as scouts, and do not provide the same sort of scouting capability as normal Scout Sentinels.
Due to the impassable terrain they fight in, Death World Veterans use few to no other vehicles than this pattern of Sentinel, using them as hunter-killer units. They are often seen with Camo Netting modifications as well.[8]
Mars Pattern Sentinel
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The Mars Pattern Sentinel carries a Multi-Laser, making it effective against infantry and light vehicles.[3] It is a ubiquitous pattern throughout the Imperium.[10]
Tallarn Sentinel
Tallarn Pattern Sentinels as used by Tallarn Desert Raiders and similar regiments is ideal for fighting over open desert terrain. Its typical Multi-laser weapon system is ideal for fighting infantry and light vehicles. It has wider based feet which allow it to spread its weight over a larger area, preventing it from sinking into the sand, and includes sand filters to prevent the power-plant from being clogged by fine particles.[56] When operating in desert conditions, some Sentinel pilots make their own modifications, from simple adjustments like adding a Tarpaulin roof to the cockpit to shade the driver from the sun. While these improve the Sentinels performance in a desert environment, they do little to affect its battlefield performance.[6a]
Tallarn Sentinel Pilot[73]
Support Sentinel
The Support Sentinel is a modification of the standard Sentinel, carrying heavy supporting firepower for Sentinel Companies[59] as well as Infantry Companies[62] and Infantry Platoons. They provide immediate, front line fire power that does not not have the command and control restrictions of typical Imperial heavy artillery.[6a]
The most common variant is armed with a Multiple Rocket Pod. It is used for suppressing fire and anti-infantry saturation fire, the pod firing multiple small frag rockets, highly effective against massed enemy infantry such as Ork mobz or swarms of Tyranid Gaunts.[6a] The second type of Support Sentinel is armed with a missile launcher, and is equipped with specialized targeting equipment, allowing it to fire indirectly as mobile light artillery.[6a]
The Support Sentinel is not intended as a scout vehicle, and does not provide the same scouting capabilities as a proper Scout Sentinel.[62][59] Support Sentinels are not common, and each Sentinel Company is lucky if it contains one or two squadrons of this variant. Sentinel commanders value them highly for the extra firepower they give. As wella s changes to the weapons, the Support Sentinel includes many other modifications. The pilot is protected from the missile's jet-wash by an armoured screen around his cockpit. It is also equipped with extra range-finder and target acquisition systems, mounted under the hull where typically the standard Sentinel's weapons would be.[6a]
| Vehicle Name: | Support Sentinel[6a] | Main Armament: | Multiple Rocket Pod |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Triplex-Phall | Secondary Armament: | N/A |
| Known Patterns: | I-XII | Traverse: | N/A |
| Crew: | Driver | Elevation: | |
| Powerplant: | CRDv 6 cyl 90PS | Main Ammunition: | 7 Missiles |
| Weight: | 4 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | N/A | ||
| Width: | 2.3m | Armour | |
| Height: | 5.8m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 2.22m | Superstructure: | 45mm |
| Fording Depth: | N/A | Hull: | 45mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 45kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 40kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-042-2203-CY023 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Support Sentinel with Missile Launcher[57]
Support Sentinel with Multiple Rocket Pod[57]
Support Sentinel of the of the Tallarn 17th Armoured[62]
Elysian Sentinel
The Elysian Pattern Sentinel or Drop Sentinel is a variant of the Standard Sentinel, equipped with either a Heavy Bolter or Multi-Melta, and will have modifications made to its power plant and cab to allow it to fit inside a Valkyrie once its legs are folded away. The Drop Sentinel can be launched from the Valkyrie and landed via Grav-chutes alongside the rest of the drop troops. They provide the Elysians, who lack many of the Imperial Guard's heavier weapons, with vital mobile fire support and anti-tank firepower. The Elysians will utilized them in direct fire roles to destroy heavy opposition during an assault.[6b][10]
Unlike other patterns, Drop Sentinels are generally not used as scouts, instead filling the role of mobile heavy support for drop regiments that otherwise lack ground-based armoured vehicles or heavy weapons.[6b][10] One such battle was when Drop Sentinels of the 23rd Elysian Regiment were engaged in assault and the subsequent defence of Hydro-plants 23-30 during the Taros Campaign. The battle raged for three days and all of the Regiment’s 42 vehicles were destroyed.[6b][10]
- Regiments known to contain Drop Sentinels
- 23rd Elysian Drop Troops Regiment
- 181st Elysian Drop Troops Regiment - destroyed during battle for Kastorel-Novem
| Vehicle Name: | Drop Sentinel[6b] | Main Armament: | Heavy Bolter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Accatran | Secondary Armament: | N/A |
| Known Patterns: | I-XII | Traverse: | 90 degrees |
| Crew: | Driver | Elevation: | |
| Powerplant: | CRDx 6 cyl 90PS | Main Ammunition: | 2000 Rounds |
| Weight: | 7 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | N/A | ||
| Width: | 2.3m | Armour | |
| Height: | 4.8m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 2.22m | Superstructure: | 45mm |
| Fording Depth: | N/A | Hull: | 45mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 25kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 20kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-942-2203-CY019 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Drop Sentinels of the 181st Elysian Drop Troops Regiment
Powerlifter
Sentinel Powerlifters are a rear-echelon variant used primarily for loading and unloading equipment and supplies. These Sentinels are equipped with large hydraulic claws, also known as a Powerlifter, easily capable of crushing a man to death, along with a counterweight mounted on the rear to prevent it from tipping over. They are a common sight on airfields, space ship flight decks, and artillery positions, but will only be called upon to defend their position as a last desperate measure.[5]
| Vehicle Name: | Sentinel Powerlifter[3c] | Main Armament: | Powerlifter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Triplex-Phall | Secondary Armament: | N/A |
| Known Patterns: | I-XII | Traverse: | N/A |
| Crew: | Driver | Elevation: | N/A |
| Powerplant: | CRDv 6 cyl 90PS | Main Ammunition: | N/A |
| Weight: | 7.5 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | N/A | ||
| Width: | 2.34m | Armour | |
| Height: | 5.34m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 2.22m | Superstructure: | 45mm |
| Fording Depth: | N/A | Hull: | 45mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 45kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 40kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-942-2203-CYO14 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Triplex-Phall pattern Sentinel Powerlifter[5]
Sentinel Powerlifter of the 2774th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing[5]
Sentinel Powerlifter of the 3035th Imperial Navy Fighter Wing[5]
Sentinel Powerlifter of the Valhallan 193rd Armoured Regiment[5]
Sentinel Powerlifter of the Cadian 113th Mechanised Infantry Regiment[5]
- Regiments known to contain Powerlifter Sentinels
Armoured Sentinels
Armoured Sentinels are modified with additional protective panelling[29] and plating for durability,[17] being built with extra armour by default.[10] This makes them excellent front-line hunters.[29][17] Armoured Sentinels have recoil compensators in place of the additional gyro-stabilizers, allowing them to them to fire heavier weapons. Sensor arrays and auspex systems are replaced with additional power cells and cooling systems, allowing the Armoured Sentinel to fulfill its role ass a mobile heavy weapons platform. Armoured Sentinels are used as roving hunter-killer units - search and destroy teams which stalk enemy battle tanks and eliminate them with practiced efficiency.[4] They are able to carry heavy weapons into war zones too dense for battle tanks, and excel in destroying vehicles, fortified bunkers, and xenos monstrosities as mobile hunter-killers.[17][29] They are typically fielded in squadrons of one to three.[10][7] The default weapon of an Armoured Sentinel is a multi-laser[10][17], which can be switched out for a variety of other weapons including heavy flamers, autocannons, lascannons, Missile Launchers, Multiple Rocket Pods, and Plasma cannons.[10]
Armoured Sentinel with Plasma Cannon(2009)[53]
Armoured Sentinel (2022)[15]
Armageddon Pattern Sentinel
The Armageddon Pattern Sentinel[3] also called the Steel Legion Sentinel[68] is a pattern of Armoured Sentinel, having fully enclosed cockpit[10] and Armoured Crew Compartment[3] The enclosed cockpit protects the pilot from toxic environments,[10] such the inhospitable ash dunes on Armageddon itself.[7] It is equipped with a Lascannon and a Searchlight.[68]
Armageddon Pattern Sentinel Variant
A unique variant of Armageddon Pattern Sentinel, it is based on a tracked chassis rather than a walker frame[44][Trivia]
Other Patterns
Aethon Heavy Sentinel
The Aethon Heavy Sentinel was used by the Solar Auxilia, during the Horus Heresy. It was used to patrol ahead of the main body of a force to scout enemies and engage them with multi-lasers and missile launchers.[18]
Dictrix-class
The Dictrix-class Sentinel, sometimes called Witches, are armoured enforcement walkers used to control prisoners. Instead of conventional heavy weapons, these walkers mount a launcher similar to a harpoon which can fire out a massive Neural Whip to non-lethally incapacitate multiple victims, before being reeled in to fire again. With a disruption charge capable of felling a Bull Grox, even a glancing hit can disable the target and can cause burning pain to anyone unfortunate enough to come within a metre of its discharge.[12a][12b][12c]
Hermes Light Sentinel
The Hermes Light Sentinel was a lightly armoured and fast walker that was used by the Imperial Army, during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.[20]
Jump Sentinel
The Jump Sentinel is a variant of the Sentinel equipped with Jump Packs. It is known to have been used by the Imperial Army during the Horus Heresy.[11]
Command Sentinel
Commanders may sometimes use a Sentinel as a Command Vehicle, which can be customized by the commander. One example is the Command Sentinel of Traxian Talos of the Cobal Landstriders.[27]
Target Control Sentinel
Target Control Sentinel. Guidance unit for the Cobal-Pattern Deathstrike Missile Launcher. Used by the Cobal Landstriders.[27]
Demolition Sentinel
Demolition Sentinel. Stripped down remote operated variant, used to deliver high explosive and demolitions. Used by the Cobal Landstriders.[27]
Sentinel Lancer
Sentinel Lancer. Light-melee unit similar in potency to a Sentinel Powerlifter. Used by the Cobal Landstriders.[27]
Known Named Sentinels
Sentinel Gallery
Jes Goodwin's original design drawings for the Sentinel model released in 2000[43]
Master Sculpt of the 2000 Sculpt[43]
Usage by the Forces of Chaos
The forces of Chaos, particularly Traitor Guard and the Lost and the Damned, are known to make use of Sentinels[30] and Sentinel variants[19] Whereas the Imperium typically uses them for reconnaissance and scouting missions, renegade forces can lack the training or mindset for such missions, and instead deploy captured Sentinels in large formation to pave the way for massed attacks.[42]
Renegade Armoured Sentinel looted from the armouries of Kerrack, deployed by rebellious Harvest Clans in 928.M41. Though the rebellion was crushed by the Star Phantoms, many Charnel Cultists escaped into the forests along with their machines. This example was sighted in 991.M41 in a bloody raid on a supply station.
[42]
Cadian 39th (Traitor Guard) Sentinel[70a]
Variants include:
Chemical Assault Pattern Sentinel
Chemical Assault Patterns are older, second-line patterns of Armoured Sentinels, that are used by Traitor Guard Regiments. They are armed with chemical Rocket Launchers that unleash unstable, flesh-melting compounds. The Tithe Uaimh Forester Guard Regiments are known to make use of them.[19]
Usage by Xenos and Xenos Aligned Factions
As Sentinels of the Imperial Guard are often out on independent patrol, their pilots can fall prey to Genestealer attack and once implanted with the alien seed become valued Genestealer Cult members.[41]
The Orks are known to loot and convert captured sentinels:
_by_Adam_Cooper_White_Dwarf_461_pg142.jpg)
Trivia
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- The Kit Bash article in Warhammer: Visions 9 focused on Sentinels.[13]
- The tracked Armageddon Pattern Sentinel Variant was a conversion example showcased by Games Workshop in the Games Workshop Complete Catalog & Hobby Reference 2006-2007 using parts from a then era Chimera and a Heavy Weapon Sprue[44] It is likely directly inspired by the Scylla Light Tank by Guy Marc Raley, itself also a proxy for an Armoured Sentinel.[45]
See also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Compendium pg.162 Sentinel
- 2: Codex: Astra Militarum (6th Edition), pg. 129
- 3: Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex) pg.26
- 4: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition) pg.45 Sentinel
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, pgs. 155-156
- 6: Imperial Armour Volume Three - Second Edition: The Taros Campaign
- 7: Codex: Armageddon pg.2
- 8: Codex: Catachans pg.7
- 9: Warhammer: Visions 16, pg. 154
Warhammer: Visions - 10: Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard, pg. 219-220
- 11: Collected Visions, pgs. 122-123
- 12: Commissar (Novel):
- 13: Warhammer: Visions 9- Kit Bash, pgs. 98-108 Warhammer: Visions
- 14: Warhammer: Visions 29- Army of the Month, pg. 53 Warhammer: Visions
- 15: Warhammer Community: Astra Militarum Alert – New Units Sighted and Classic Kits Reimagined (posted 06/06/2022) (last accessed 06 June 2022)
- 16: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/10/08/warhammer-day-reveals-cadia-stands-with-an-all-new-army-set/ Warhammer Community: Warhammer Day Reveals – Cadia Stands With an All-New Army Set (posted 8/10/2022) (last accessed 9/10/2022)
- 17: Codex: Astra Militarum (9th Edition), pg. 100-101
- 18: Warhammer Community: Warhammer Preview – Battle on an Epic Scale in the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Legions Imperialis (posted 01/07/2023) (last accessed 01/07/2023)
- 19: White Dwarf 495 — A Tale of Four Warlords - Created by Rhuairidh James, pgs. 74-75
- 20: Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Scout Fast and Strike Hard with the Hot Rod Sentinel of the Solar Auxilia (posted 01/02/2024) (last accessed 01/02/2024)
- 21: Epic Armageddon Rulebook, pg. 94
- 22: Warhammer 40,000: The Ultimate Guide, pg. 97
- 23: White Dwarf 126 (UK), pg. 30
- 24: Blood Sands (Short Story) — Galaxy of Horrors (Anthology)
- 25: The Relentless Dead (Novel), Chapter VI, pg. 80
- 26: Image provided by Drew Hardy - see Cobal Landstriders/Sources
Warhammer World - 27: Know Your Allies - Cobal Landstriders - Hazardous Atmosphere Division Warhammer World
- 28: Imperial Armour Assembly Instructions. See Powerlifter/Sources
- 29: Games Workshop Website Store - Armoured Sentinel (Archived)
- 30: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), pg. 42
- 41: The Citadel Journal 40, pg. 12
Fanatic Press - 42: Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost and the Damned, pg. 168
- 43: White Dwarf 245 (AU) - Making a Sentinel, pg. 64
- 44: Games Workshop Complete Catalog & Hobby Reference 2006-2007, pg. 133
- 45: Scylla Light Tank
- 46: Warhammer: Visions 29 - Army of the Month, pg. 53 Warhammer: Visions
- 47: Games Workshop Website Store - Scout Sentinel (Archived)
- 48: Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition) pg.30
- 49: Praetorian Guard Sentinel Blister Pack. See Sentinel/Sources for more details.
- 50: White Dwarf 222 (UK) pg.38-39 Sentinel! + Datafax
- 51: White Dwarf 50 (FR)
- 52: Games Workshop Website - IMPERIAL GUARD SENTINEL (Archived) - image not saved on Archive
- 53: White Dwarf 353 (UK) pg.7
- 54: Only War: Core Rulebook pg.80
- 55: Games Workshop Website - REGIMENTAL ORGANIZATION: THE OPERATIONAL PRACTICES OF THE ARMOURED COMPANIES (Archived - image not saved)
- 56: Forge World Website - Tallarn Sentinel (Archived - Image Not Saved)
- 57: Forge World (Company) Website - IMPERIAL GUARD TANKS
- 58: Forge World (Company) - Rocket Launcher Sentinel (Archived)
- 59: Imperial Armour Update 2006 pg.8 Support Sentinel
- 60: Saved archive page of Forge World (last accessed 29 June 2015)
- 61: Forge World webstore : Elysian Drop Sentinel (saved archive)
- 62: Imperial Armour Volume Three - Second Edition: The Taros Campaign pg.82
- 63: Imperial Armour Volume Eight - Raid on Kastorel-Novem pg.27
- 64: Games Workshop Webstore
Dead Source - 65: White Dwarf 461 pg.142
- 66: White Dwarf 250 (UK) pg.89
- 67: White Dwarf 287 (UK), pg. 4
- 68: Games Workshop Webstore - Steel Legion Sentinel (Archived)
- 69: Troll Magazine 25 (US) pg.9
- 70: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution:
Classics
- 70a: Typhon - Ladon Temple Ruins
- 71: Joytoy Website (Archived)
- 72: Warhammer: Visions 9 Warhammer: Visions
- 73: Forge World Website - Tallarn Sentinel
- 74: Space Hulk: Deathwing
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