So, we all know the Lambda Class shuttle. What about the Sentinel Landing Craft?

With its folding wing configuration and matching cockpit module, the Sentinel-class landing craft was based on the Lambda-class shuttle, both shuttles having seen design origins in the Theta-class shuttle. However, unlike its predecessor and its counterpart, the landing craft's exterior was encased in armor plating 25% heavier than the armor of a Lambda-class. The landing craft was also equipped with four deflector shield projectors . Despite its large size and heavy weight, the Sentinel was fast and agile due to its Cygnus HD7 engine array .

The Sentinel relied on a crew consisting of a pilot, a co-pilot/sensor officer, as well as three gunners. The vehicle's sensor suite, which was located in the cockpit, allowed navigation in nearly all conditions and featured infrared imaging, motion detectors, and life-form indicators. The vessel's computer also featured an automatic mapping function and a rudimentary autopilot that could pilot the vessel towards an Imperial garrison, starship, or homing beacon during emergencies, and included powerful communication arrays which enabled contact with all Imperial starships and garrisons within a given system.

In its standard configuration, a Sentinel could carry 54 stormtroopers (approximately six squads), 12 E-web heavy repeating blasters, and 6 74-Z speeder bikes. When its seats were removed and it was converted to carrying supplies, it could transport 36 74-Z speeder bikes, or 12 compact assault vehicles such as AT-STs or AT-PTs. Its total cargo capacity was 180 metric tons.

The landing craft's weapons load consisted of 8 laser cannons, 2 concussion missile launchers, 1 retractable ion cannon, and 2 rotating repeating blasters. Three gunners were responsible for manning these weapons, which were all linked to the shuttle's precise targeting computers. Since the Sentinel-class was heavily armed, it also served as a combat support vehicle.

After the Clone Wars, the Galactic Empire made the change from starships like the Acclamator-class assault ship that were able to land on planets to offload troops, to spacebound Star Destroyers, the sheer size of which required them to remain in orbit above the planet. This change brought about the need for a dedicated, armored, and maneuverable landing craft to safely transport troops directly into battle. The Cygnus-Sienar shuttle family fulfilled most of the Empire's need for light transports, introducing the Sentinel-class landing craft some time before the Battle of Yavin, and it eventually became the main troop transport in the Imperial Navy.

The primary use of the Sentinel-class was to transport troops between Star Destroyers/Cruisers/Star Dreadnoughts and the surface of a planet, but they could also serve as air support, short-range scouts, light cargo vessels, and even starfighter support. The vehicle was also used in conjunction with larger Y-85 Titan dropships or AT-AT barges for joint infantry and armor assaults, as well as making an excellent atmospheric transport, with many Imperial garrisons keeping at least one Sentinel on-hand for this purpose. Several Sentinel-class landing craft were used on the desert world Tatooine, where they deployed sandtroopers and their dewback mounts to search for the missing Death Star plans in 0 BBY.

Because of its versatility and heavy arms and armor, the Sentinel-class saw great popularity inside, and outside, the Galactic Empire, being used by various other groups including the Rebel Alliance, the New Republic, Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, mercenary groups, and continued serving the Imperial Remnant long after the death of Emperor Palpatine during the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY.

During the Galactic Civil War, the Rebels used a fleet of captured Sentinel-class landing craft as support ships. The Alliance logo was painted on their central wing, to help tell them apart from the Imperial ships. The New Republic also developed its own unique replacement for the Sentinel-class, the Bantha-class assault shuttle, which featured much heavier armor than its Imperial counterpart.

To me, the Lambda is a Shuttle for high ranking officers, not a troop transport, and I have always found it weird that the Sentinel wasn't brought up more. It was the workhorse and having the Lambda and not the Sentinel just feels weird to me.

I know the lambda is in the film's "fly casual" scene and the emperors inspection scene, but in the novels and video games Fluff/Lore, it seems like its more rare/for diplomatic missions.

Its more realistic for these guys to be in convoys that are attacked my rebels than the lambdas, but maybe that's just my opinion.

Upgrades-wise, 2-3 crew members, sensor slot, cannon slot, missile slot, and turret slot. Maybe some rule or crew member about shooting multiple weapons a turn.

Depending on the size/scale to the Lambda (which is a 3/ 1/ 5/ 5 ) It could be something like a:

3-4

1

8-10

6-8

Also, did not know about the retractable turret just aft of the cockpit. Interesting! (research is fun!)

Because the Lambda was in the films, and the Sentinel would just be more of the same.

Because the Lambda was in the films, and the Sentinel would just be more of the same.

That makes me sad

The sentinel was in episode 4 when the troopers say "look sir, droids!". Or around that time.

But if you guys think it won't show, then your probably right.

Sentinel was edited into 4 and for one shot. The Lambda is a film staple with the whole "Fly Casual" scene to itself.

It's a possibility.

Sentinel was edited into 4 and for one shot. The Lambda is a film staple with the whole "Fly Casual" scene to itself.

Oh, Oh, Just thought of a counter argument!

YT-2400! Just edited in for one shot, and now wave 5! Now that does have me thinking, why VT and not sentinel?

Prediction: wave 6-8, somewhere in there. Before they start releasing the ships shown in the Rebels show.

Sentinel was edited into 4 and for one shot. The Lambda is a film staple with the whole "Fly Casual" scene to itself.

Oh, Oh, Just thought of a counter argument!

YT-2400! Just edited in for one shot, and now wave 5! Now that does have me thinking, why VT and not sentinel?

Prediction: wave 6-8, somewhere in there. Before they start releasing the ships shown in the Rebels show.

The YT-2400 was also in Shadows of the Empire one of the largest individual "franchises" of the Star Wars EU, (the game, book, Audio CD, Comic Books, toy lines) According to Wookieepedia it was essentially the most Lucasfilm could do besides releasing an actual movie (Apparently Lucas also wanted to make it into a movie in the 1980s if he had the time)

Sentinel was edited into 4 and for one shot. The Lambda is a film staple with the whole "Fly Casual" scene to itself.

Oh, Oh, Just thought of a counter argument!

YT-2400! Just edited in for one shot, and now wave 5! Now that does have me thinking, why VT and not sentinel?

Prediction: wave 6-8, somewhere in there. Before they start releasing the ships shown in the Rebels show.

Why the Outrider? Significantly different appearance to the Millenium Falcon whereas the Sentinel is a stretch Lambda, and they've made it play significantly differently to the Falcon: the Outrider isn't Falcon Lite.

Why the Decimator instead of the Sentinel in Wave 5 ? It's a gunship wave. The Sentinel's a support craft, not a gunship.

I can see them adding the Sentinel if they can make it something other than a Stretch Lambda.

Yeah I don't need any more buses, I would pass on the Sentinel. Also, it's a landing craft - meaning it has more of a place in landing troops on the surface of a planet then dogfighting. Personally I think the thing looks ugly.

I would love to see this in the game. I'm with the OP. I think it looks cool and if they released it with some new ability or upgrade that really set it apart from the Lambda then I'm all in.

Popcorn? This seems like it's going to go down the "They'll never make a TIE Avenger because it's basically the same as a TIE Advanced except that it looks different and does different things" route.

Except it does the same thing. It's a Stretch Lambda.

You need to ferry troops through space to planets, and the rebel/terrorists need to have opertunities to cause grevious casualties amongst the empires finest for blaring news headlines and propaganda machines.

Anyways, I like how it retains the same cockpit design and tried wings like the Lambda, makes it feelkie iI this made by the same company, like the TIE fighters.

Also, it is said that they use the ships powerful computers to perform multiple attacks, so its more like a battle bus, and I'm all for public transportation. Maybe something like "you may spend a target lock to preform a second primary attack"? It does have like 8 cannons in the front. Maybe just spend x target locks to preform x attacks with the primary and secondary weapons? It does have a turret mount for blasters/ion cannons.

Largewise, if you want outright gun you take the VT-49 (for more maneuverable gun). If you want gun and support you take the Lambda. I'm not seeing the niche for the Sentinel. Any suggestions?

Give me 3-4 hours, when I'm done driving and pondering I'll come up with a comprehensive answer

Do we need a reason to have a "landing" craft in a space combat game? It really isn't fulfilling its potential. Now if there are missions set in atmosphere with a landing site and ground defenses then yes it would be great.

PS: I am working on ground based ideas at the moment for X WIng.

Honestly... It's derpy looking as hell.

The Lambda is one of my favorite ship designs. The Sentinal... Takes everything cool about the Lambda and says Lol, nope, let's make it assymetrical, wonky, and uncomfortable to look at.

That said, i hear the ordnance it could bring was pretty awesome. But I'd rather see more Lambda pilots.

Well crap, my dog just grabbed my mouse and closed the browser I was typing in, and because I was using the small editor and not the advanced full sized editor, I couldn't recover anything. Makes me mad.

Well, what I had planned to post was a side by side comparison of the Sentinel, the Lambda, the Firespray, and the Falcon, but now I don't plan on retyping all that.

The Basics:

Weapons:

-8 (why 8!?!) Laser cannons in the front with 2 concussion missile launchers holding 4-8 missiles each. Guess they needed more dakka to clear a way to a landing zone.

-2 Repeating Blaster cannon turrets. Other large ships have them, and are ignored, so we will ignore them too.

-1 Retractable turret just behind the cockpit. Designed to cover the flanks and rear because it did not boast the anti-pursuit lasers like its smaller predecessor.

What does this mean game-play wise?

Attack: 4, with the rule of spend a target lock to preform one additional primary weapon attack.

The Sentinel has the most guns in the front that we have seen, so instead of giving it stupid stats, I gave it the same stats as the HLC (cause it has 8 of them) and said it can use the fancy computer and the 3 dedicated gunners it has to shoot twice. Makes sense fluff wise and game play wise. (I'm quite proud of the work around, if you have any ideas to improve it, please let me know!)

2 Missile Slots

was originally just going to give it one, but research shows that the tie bomber has the same magazine size for its missiles, so upped it to two.

1 Turret Slot

Give it a Ion or blaster turret, and then something along the lines of "You may spend a target lock" and "may make an attack independent of the primary weapon"

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Performance :

-Stats seem to be twice as good as the Lambda and on par with the YT-1300 and Firespray.

-70 MGLT and 2400 G's from Wookiee.

What does this mean game-play wise?

Evade: 1

While the other ship that is the same size is the VT-49 and that is as maneuverable as a brick, the Sentinel seems otherwise. For a ship its size, it appears to be quite fun to fly, and that maybe why it was so popular. However, giving it 2 evade would probably be unbalanced so i scaled it down to 1. Think of it as 1.5 kinda, better than a lambda, but worse than an outrider.

The Dial would be average or better

strait up more maneuverable than the little brother, and faster too.

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Durability:

-Lambda has 2 100 SBD Shield Generators, the B-wing has 1 125 shield Generator, and they are both marked at a value of 5. The Sentinel has 2 aft and 2 fore (4 total) 120 SBD shield generators, making it quite tough.

-38 meters long, nearly twice as long as the Lambda, and same length as a VT-49.

-Can carry 75 passengers or 180 metric tons of cargo, where the lambda can carry 20 passengers or 80 tons. Clearly it is quite roomy on the inside.

-Its armor is reportedly 25% stronger than the Lambda's, but that doesn't help that much.

What does this mean game-play wise?

Hull: 8

Instead of having 12 hull like the VT-49, I gave it a value of 8, because it is lacking the reinforced bulkheads and has most of the internal space as hollow for transportation. Maybe that is also why it is more maneuverable; it is not as heavy for the inside is mostly hollow.

Shields: 6

In the end, I opted for 6 shields as 8 seemed a tad to much. (even though 8/8 would match the lambda's 5/5 mirror stats). Maybe it can recover shields somehow to represent the advanced shielding?

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Other points I would like to make: the Cockpit has room for 6, so I would give it 3 crew like the VT-49. It is also described as having a precise and valuable targeting computer allowing for the 3 gunners to make individual attacks. That is why I advocate that It can preform 3 attacks a turn, 2 with the main guns and 1 secondary weapon.

Kinda bummed that I lost the original post, so here was a lite version, with about 1/4 the word count and only a fraction of the numbers. (get it? ) FFG, allow saving while editing posts!

Honestly... It's derpy looking as hell.

The Lambda is one of my favorite ship designs. The Sentinal... Takes everything cool about the Lambda and says Lol, nope, let's make it assymetrical, wonky, and uncomfortable to look at.

That said, i hear the ordnance it could bring was pretty awesome. But I'd rather see more Lambda pilots.

You think it looks wonky and derpy, I think it looks refined and utilitarian. I actually like it a lot more than the normal lambda. I guess we just have different styles that we like our ships to look like.

Honestly... It's derpy looking as hell.

The Lambda is one of my favorite ship designs. The Sentinal... Takes everything cool about the Lambda and says Lol, nope, let's make it assymetrical, wonky, and uncomfortable to look at.

That said, i hear the ordnance it could bring was pretty awesome. But I'd rather see more Lambda pilots.

You think it looks wonky and derpy, I think it looks refined and utilitarian. I actually like it a lot more than the normal lambda. I guess we just have different styles that we like our ships to look like.

If they ever decide to do boarding actions with the huge ships the Sentinel would be a good imperial fit. It would fight the DX-9 for the spot, but would have a slight edge in that it was in the special editions.

If they ever decide to do boarding actions with the huge ships the Sentinel would be a good imperial fit. It would fight the DX-9 for the spot, but would have a slight edge in that it was in the special editions.

That said, I would like to see it in the game.

I don't think all ships should have a dogfighting purpose. The rebel transport certainly doesn't. Nor do a good number of the vessels that have already come out.

The interior of the shuttle could be customized for each mission, removing or adding seating. In its standard configuration, a Sentinel-class could carry 54 stormtroopers (approximately six squads), 12 E-web heavy repeating blasters, and 6 74-Z speeder bikes. When its seats were removed and it was converted to carrying supplies, it could transport 36 74-Z speeder bikes, or 12 compact assault vehicles such as AT-STs or AT-PTs. Its total cargo capacity was 180 metric tons.

It was a very versitile craft, utilitarian through and through. Perfect for all the various needs, unlike the Lambda.

The landing craft's weapons load consisted of 8 laser cannons, 2 concussion missile launchers, 1 retractable turret-mounted ion cannon, and 2 rotating repeating blasters (retractable, used when landing). Three gunners were responsible for manning these weapons, which were all linked to the shuttle's precise targeting computers. Since the Sentinel-class was heavily armed, it also served as a combat support vehicle.

I guess they thought offense is the best defense, and threw weapons on it? Also, I like the multiple gunners and advanced targeting computer ideas, and want to incorporate it into the rules somehow.

After the Clone Wars, the Galactic Empire made a change from starships like the Acclamator-class assault ship that were able to land on planets in order to unload troops, to space-bound Star Destroyers, the sheer size of which required them to remain in orbit above the planet. That change brought about the need for a dedicated, armored, and maneuverable landing craft to safely transport troops directly into battlefields. The Cygnus-Sienar shuttle family fulfilled most of the Empire's needs for light transports, introducing the Sentinel-class landing craft some time before the Battle of Yavin, and it eventually became the main troop transport in the Imperial Navy.

I definitely am in full support for the shuttle family concept. Notice how it became the main troop transport in the imperial navy. Maybe having prior knowledge to this is what spoiled the lambda for me, I know its in because episode 6, but in truth the Sentinel was more abundant and more useful, they should be the shuttles being escorted by TIE fighters in everyone's list, not the Lambda. But that's just a personal pet peeve of mine, it just doesn't mesh with my version of the Lore.

The primary use of the Sentinel-class was to transport troops between Star Destroyers/Cruisers/Star Dreadnoughts and the surface of a planet, but they could also serve as air support, short-range scouts, light cargo vessels, and even starfighter support. The vehicle was also used in conjunction with larger Y-85 Titan dropships or AT-AT barges for joint infantry and armor assaults, as well as making an excellent atmospheric transport, with many Imperial garrisons keeping at least one Sentinel on-hand for this purpose.

Unlike the Lambda's page entry, the Sentinel is actually (and effectively) used as starfighter support. It is also stated that almost every single military base had at least one shuttle, showing how ubiquitous and common they were.

Production continued after the Battle of Endor, selling them to private companies, by 6 ABY the shuttle had became quite common. Because of their versatility along with heavy arms and armor, the Sentinel-class saw great popularity inside and outside the Galactic Empire, being used by various other groups including the Rebel Alliance, the New Republic, Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, mercenary groups, and continued serving the Imperial Remnant long after the death of Emperor Palpatine during the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY.

Phased out the TIE shuttle, thank god. (for the people that think the sentinel is ugly, they should see the TIE shuttle XD)

Shows that the design was well received and popular across the galaxy.

The Sentinel-class landing craft is one of few C-canon elements to be used in the films; it first appeared in the Shadows of the Empire game, and appeared in the special edition of A New Hope. It is also seen in Episode V in Bespin.

Sentinels serve as the Imperial landing craft in all three Star Wars RTS video games: Star Wars: Force Commander, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, and Star Wars: Empire at War.

More common than the VT-49. I'm not saying that the VT-49 shouldn't be included, I'm using it as proof that if they introduce something as obscure as that, they have to add something as common as this into the game! I want to run a convoy!

To be fair, I did have this thing as a lego toy when I was young, so it brings back memories. Also got to see it land all my storm troopers in EaW at the beginning of each land mission. Thats also one of the reasons I picked up the GR-75 as well .

Needless to say, so far I have been playing rebels, but if they add this craft in, I may be lured over to the dark side. And my wallet will hate me. Gotta play escort/convoy scenarios!

I think the OP has some valid points and I like the look of the Sentinel landing craft too. I always saw the Sentinel as a more likely participant in combat situations compared to the Lambda but the latter is more iconic.

Prior to the Wave 5 announcement I'd have thought that FFG would give the Sentinel a pass cuz it looks somewhat similar to the Lambda but now I'm not so sure since I thought the Outrider would get passed off for the same reason but I was wrong. IMO the only reason that I see for there not to be a Sentinel in the game is that its potential role and purpose in a squad has been occupied by the Decimator.

I don't know if the Sentinel have cannons to attack, I know that it's only a transport but don't has any to defense, so I think it don't has good playability, and there are a lot of best Imperial ships tan Sentinel, greettings.