Sentinel in Actual Play - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 11:55:59	Hi all, I'm interested in hearing from people who've used the Sentinel feat in actual play. How useful is it really? It seems like a great feat until you realize that you only get one reaction per round, so you can really only lock down one opponent at a time. If you've got a group of goblins or something trying to get past you to get to the squishy wizard, you can only stop one of them. With that in mind, is it really as good as all the guides say it is? Cheers, Jonathan
#2 mellored Jan 08, 2015 12:07:03	Depends on your DM and party. A group of goblins wants to kill your wizard, but none wants to be the first one to try. And even so, 1 stopped, or dead, gobilin is still 1 less attack your wizard will take. But, if your DM attacks the closest target anyways, then you wasted a feat. And a group of goblins won't really try and avoid the fighter in order to attack the other heavily armored guys.
#3 7he_professor Jan 08, 2015 14:10:46	pukunui wrote:
#4 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 14:22:29	mellored wrote:
#5 mellored Jan 08, 2015 14:28:42	7he_professor wrote:
#6 feartheminotaur Jan 08, 2015 14:38:01	I too was underwhelmed by it during my games. Being in the right place at the right time was too infrequent. However, I too would say 'eh, depends on your game'. I played this weekend without a grid and one of the players used it constantly - simply "As a sentinel, I stand fast before the wizard, striking all that try to pass". Some times they tried, most times they didn't. My belief is, that without the (to me) meta tactics of the grid, the DM simply decided that the monsters had no desire to face a whoopin' from the stern dwarf just daring them to try and pass by him.
#7 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 14:40:56	mellored wrote:
#8 mellored Jan 08, 2015 14:52:46	pukunui wrote:
#9 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 14:54:46	mellored wrote:
#10 mellored Jan 08, 2015 15:03:46	pukunui wrote:
#11 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 15:08:27	mellored wrote:
#12 mellored Jan 08, 2015 15:15:00	pukunui wrote:
#13 GladiusLegis Jan 08, 2015 15:21:01	Sentinel is much better if you play with the optional DMG marking rules.
#14 mellored Jan 08, 2015 15:28:27	There are ways to boot sentinal. Like greater invisibility, or if someone else uses compel dual. But those are primaraly only good for a rogue, who can deal enough OA damage to make the setup worth it.
#15 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 15:29:05	GladiusLegis wrote:
#16 mellored Jan 08, 2015 15:31:51	pukunui wrote:
#17 guachi Jan 08, 2015 15:35:58	I have it on my rogue. Because two sneak attacks a round is awesome. Even if my dick DM in AL play got all snippy when I pointed out that I can sneak attack once per turn not once per round. In order to use it effectively you have to be willing to put yourself right in harm's way. We have two Barbarians and I stick to the wolf totem Barbarian like glue. Rogue is level 6 now and he's part Ranger and wears a Breastplate +1 (from LMoP) and a shield to get AC 19. He's Ranger 2/Rogue 4 so he doesn't have Evasion yet, unfortunately. But being able to attack and use Sentinel at advantage because of the Barbarian is awesome. Hunter's Mark + Sneak Attack make for a nice Sentinel attack.
#18 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 15:42:10	Cool.
(Reply to #7) feartheminotaur	pukunui wrote:
#20 Leugren Jan 08, 2015 16:13:06	I've been building an Oath of Ancients Paladin right now as well. It would be great if you could post your build once you're done with it, pukunui.
#21 Zardnaar Jan 08, 2015 16:33:53	Its OK on the Moon Druid and decent on high AC PCs, PCs using improved invisability and on some build that have already got their bonus actions tied up (raging, hex, hunters quarry, extra attacks etc)
#22 pukunui Jan 08, 2015 17:15:27	Leugren wrote:
#23 Leugren Jan 08, 2015 18:35:09	pukunui wrote:
#24 Leugren Jan 09, 2015 10:00:08	My own perspective on the Sentinel feat is that it's utility will tend to vary depending on the composition of the party. I am creating a paladin to accompany a group whose front line currently consists of a Circle of the Moon Druid and a Berserker Barbarian. With their low AC's these two characters have been taking a lot of punishment lately. In spite of their durability, they have both been brought to the brink of death on several occasions. I am planning to join this party as a sword-and-board paladin with a really high AC. With the Sentinel feat, I'm fairly certain that I'll be able to take some of the pressure off of these two characters by either drawing enemy fire away from them or by using my reaction to drop a nasty Divine Smite on the first monster that decides to ignore me. I think Sentinel can work well when you have some allies who are just begging to be hit by virtue of a really bad AC score and/or just general squishiness. If the DM ignores these squishy targets and goes after you, then you have done your job, even if you never get to use your extra attack. If the DM goes after the squishy targets instead, then it's like someone threw you a surprise party because you get to make a free attack that you never really anticipated, even though you hoped for it. Without the Sentinel feat, I believe that it would be pretty easy for the monsters to just ignore me because I will have the highest AC among the frontliners, and because relatively speaking, my overall damage output over time is not that impressive in spite of some really nice novas.
#25 guachi Jan 09, 2015 13:58:13	I just realized that you could intentionally provoke an OA just so you could use Sentinel (preferably a Rogue with Sentinel). If the bad guy attacks the dude with Sentinel, then have an ally who goes after the bad guy leave his reach. If he attacks, he provokes Sentinel and hopefully takes tons of damage.
#26 Leugren Jan 09, 2015 17:38:01	guachi wrote:
#27 guachi Jan 09, 2015 18:20:23	I think I should suggest this to our Bear Barbarian when he rages as he's resistant to damage at that point.
#28 pukunui Jan 10, 2015 0:35:44	@Leugren: Those are some good points. Unfortunately for me, all the PCs in the group have an AC of at least 20, even the wizard (IIRC, he has both bracers of defense and a staff of power plus a decent Dex). The druid has homebrewed ironwood plate and a shield. The dwarf has dwarven plate and a shield. The monk has max Dex, a decent Wis, and a cloak of protection. I'm hoping for either mithril plate or +1 studded leather. Combine that with a shield, the Defense fighting style, and a cloak of protection (if I can wrangle one out of the DM), that'll put me at AC 22, which is what the dwarf has got. If the DM won't give me either of those armors, I think I'll MC into warlock and get Armor of Shadows. Mage armor is equivalent to +1 studded leather, except that you can't add the Defense fighting style to it, so I'd only have an AC of 21, but that's still pretty good.
#29 Leugren Jan 10, 2015 2:30:46	pukunui wrote:
#30 DaveDash Jan 10, 2015 3:33:48	Sentinel seems better with a reach weapon than with sword and board.
#31 MHolmanEsq Jan 10, 2015 7:46:10	DaveDash wrote:
#32 GladiusLegis Jan 10, 2015 9:12:26	pukunui wrote:
#33 GladiusLegis Jan 10, 2015 9:15:50	MHolmanEsq wrote:
#34 pukunui Jan 10, 2015 10:48:41	GladiusLegis wrote:
(Reply to #33) DaveDash	GladiusLegis wrote:
#36 MHolmanEsq Jan 10, 2015 17:17:57	DaveDash wrote:
#37 Frozeman Jan 13, 2015 22:50:36	I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but something to remember if you think it is "underwhelming because it doesn't come up often", chances are you aren't taking this feat to up your dpr, you're taking it to be a tank. The extra attacks and reduced movement from the feat are all a consolation prize. Unless you're being pretty incompetent tactically, not ever getting to use the feat means that they are doing what you want, and attacking you instead of the squishies.
#38 pukunui Jan 13, 2015 23:17:46	Fair enough. I decided not to start out with it, but I may take it later on. I'll see how the character plays without it first. The DM may let me use the optional marking rule, albeit with the caveat that it costs a bonus action to use (which is what I would do if I was the DM too; giving it out for free seems a bit much).
#39 phoenixnemo Jan 21, 2015 2:55:36	....has there been any discussion of whether "within 5 feet" was meant to mean "within melee range" (which is 5 feet for most weapons) such that a polearm user could enjoy the reactive-attack beneift without going nose-to-nose? I really like the feat and to make sure I'm getting as much mileage as possible out of it.
(Reply to #39) Clutchbone	phoenixnemo wrote:
(Reply to #40) Undrhil	Clutchbone wrote:
#42 Leugren Jan 21, 2015 18:59:34	Undrhil wrote:
(Reply to #41) Clutchbone	Undrhil wrote:
(Reply to #43) Undrhil	Clutchbone wrote:
#45 Kalani Jan 22, 2015 20:19:14	Clutchbone wrote:
#46 FabulousRex Jan 22, 2015 23:50:44	I think trying to make Sentinel 'work' for a character is an excercise in that old 4e Defender Balance. You gotta have the Threat to do enough damage, not usually a problem for most characters that take Sentinel (especially Rogues). You gotta be Tough enough to handle increased attack volume, resistence and/or high HP help here, but not AC... That's where you can run into a problem. If you have too much AC/Saves, monsters will attack your squishy allies anyways, since they won't have a chance of hurting you. All that said, the best Sentinel setup probably involves using Great Weapon Fighting and Heavy Armor Mastery for toughness. Pack a whollop with your hits, stay well protected, but not TOO well protected, and try to interpose yourself and be a general nuisance!
#47 Kalani Jan 22, 2015 23:54:41	FabulousRex wrote:
#48 phoenixnemo Jan 23, 2015 4:03:07	Kalani wrote:
(Reply to #48) Clutchbone	phoenixnemo wrote:
#50 phoenixnemo Jan 26, 2015 6:11:31	Clutchbone wrote:
(Reply to #50) Clutchbone	phoenixnemo wrote:
(Reply to #51) MHolmanEsq	Not intending to necro a thread, but I have a new experience with Sentinel that I wanted to run by you. My DM is basically running it as "Every creature, no matter its intelligence, realizes that you are somehow more threatening and will always attack you even if someone else is closer/did damage to them more recently/did more damage than you did/is obviously less defensible". What this breaks down to is never getting to use the Sentinel counter-attacks (going on 2 levels without using it) and being the target of nearly every attack...sure, I'm a Defender, but I didn't think I was going to have a bullseye on my back from the get-go. Does it fit 'logic' to have all monsters instantly identiy a Sentinel as the biggest threat possible and attack you to the exclusion of everyone else? Should I have the chance to BE a Sentinel (a few counter attacks defending my comrades) before they realize "hey, he is looking out for them...kill him first!"?
#53 Lilika Jun 29, 2015 18:42:47	Sentinel might work with a Rogue with 3 lvls of Fighter for Battlemaster (riposte). If an enemy attacks you and misses you riposte, if they hit you, then you Uncanny Dodge for half damage, if they attack someone else you hit them with Sentinel.
(Reply to #52) FrogReaver	MHolmanEsq wrote:
(Reply to #52) Macv12	MHolmanEsq wrote:
#56 MHolmanEsq Jun 29, 2015 20:11:48	FrogReaver wrote:
#57 MechaPilot Jun 29, 2015 20:28:35	I just started running LMoP for a group, and one of the players is considering taking Sentinel as part of his build as he levels. I can't comment about the effectiveness of the feat, but I will say that even before it comes into play I have already decided that a character can attampt to hold back enemies from rushing past her: there will be an attribute contest to see if the creature is stopped. An attribute contest is not given any type of action requirement, so I see it as being able to be a non-action, though I probably will require a character to spend her action to attempt to block off every space within her reach.
(Reply to #55) Clutchbone	Macv12 wrote:
(Reply to #56) FrogReaver	MHolmanEsq wrote:
#60 Slagger_the_Chuul Jun 30, 2015 10:29:28	To add to what FrogReaver has said, having enemies stick to you ("aggro", "threat", "hate" or whatever else you like to call it) is actually one of the fundamental abilities of defending/tanking, and the DM is basically making Sentinel do that even better than normal. The effective bullseye painted on you tells you where they're going to hit, and knowing is half the battle. The other fundamental requirement for a tank is being able to survive the damage, so make sure the party knows to help their tank stay alive to keep the attacks off them. It can be pretty efficient as well, since you're the obvious target for buffs like heroism, and can help to group enemies together so they make better targets for area effects (as long as the party manages to avoid you). Sticking to you also means they stay in striking distance for your regular attacks. Laugh in the face of your enemies for their inability to get past you, hit them with back with everything other than your one reaction per turn, then gather round with your party to spit on the bodies. You've got Sentinel, and the enemies are so scared of it that they aren't even thinking straight.
#61 Thoughts_My_Aim Jun 30, 2015 10:54:27	As other people have pointed out, I suspect that there's a kind of sweet-spot of DM behaviour where Sentinel is very useful. If your DM is very generous, they might just have monsters attack your tank characters anyway - I tend to do this because I tend to assume that the tankier characters are making an active effort to attract the attention of enemies, even if they aren't using game mechanics. In this case Sentinel isn't very useful. If the DM runs in a more grids-and-minis style, then it becomes a lot more valuable. If the DM is super keen on playing the monsters to win, taking every opportunity to focus-fire the squishy characters, it might not be hugely helpful in the long run.

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 11:55:59

Hi all,

I'm interested in hearing from people who've used the Sentinel feat in actual play. How useful is it really? It seems like a great feat until you realize that you only get one reaction per round, so you can really only lock down one opponent at a time. If you've got a group of goblins or something trying to get past you to get to the squishy wizard, you can only stop one of them.

With that in mind, is it really as good as all the guides say it is?

Cheers,

Jonathan

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 12:07:03

Depends on your DM and party. A group of goblins wants to kill your wizard, but none wants to be the first one to try.

And even so, 1 stopped, or dead, gobilin is still 1 less attack your wizard will take.

But, if your DM attacks the closest target anyways, then you wasted a feat.

And a group of goblins won't really try and avoid the fighter in order to attack the other heavily armored guys.

7he_professor

Jan 08, 2015 14:10:46

pukunui wrote:

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 14:22:29

mellored wrote:

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 14:28:42

7he_professor wrote:

feartheminotaur

Jan 08, 2015 14:38:01

I too was underwhelmed by it during my games. Being in the right place at the right time was too infrequent.

However, I too would say 'eh, depends on your game'. I played this weekend without a grid and one of the players used it constantly - simply "As a sentinel, I stand fast before the wizard, striking all that try to pass". Some times they tried, most times they didn't. My belief is, that without the (to me) meta tactics of the grid, the DM simply decided that the monsters had no desire to face a whoopin' from the stern dwarf just daring them to try and pass by him.

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 14:40:56

mellored wrote:

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 14:52:46

pukunui wrote:

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 14:54:46

mellored wrote:

#10

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 15:03:46

pukunui wrote:

#11

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 15:08:27

mellored wrote:

#12

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 15:15:00

pukunui wrote:

#13

GladiusLegis

Jan 08, 2015 15:21:01

Sentinel is much better if you play with the optional DMG marking rules.

#14

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 15:28:27

There are ways to boot sentinal. Like greater invisibility, or if someone else uses compel dual.

But those are primaraly only good for a rogue, who can deal enough OA damage to make the setup worth it.

#15

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 15:29:05

GladiusLegis wrote:

#16

mellored

Jan 08, 2015 15:31:51

pukunui wrote:

#17

guachi

Jan 08, 2015 15:35:58

I have it on my rogue. Because two sneak attacks a round is awesome. Even if my dick DM in AL play got all snippy when I pointed out that I can sneak attack once per turn not once per round.

In order to use it effectively you have to be willing to put yourself right in harm's way. We have two Barbarians and I stick to the wolf totem Barbarian like glue. Rogue is level 6 now and he's part Ranger and wears a Breastplate +1 (from LMoP) and a shield to get AC 19. He's Ranger 2/Rogue 4 so he doesn't have Evasion yet, unfortunately. But being able to attack and use Sentinel at advantage because of the Barbarian is awesome. Hunter's Mark + Sneak Attack make for a nice Sentinel attack.

#18

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 15:42:10

Cool.

(Reply to #7)

feartheminotaur

pukunui wrote:

#20

Leugren

Jan 08, 2015 16:13:06

I've been building an Oath of Ancients Paladin right now as well. It would be great if you could post your build once you're done with it, pukunui.

#21

Zardnaar

Jan 08, 2015 16:33:53

Its OK on the Moon Druid and decent on high AC PCs, PCs using improved invisability and on some build that have already got their bonus actions tied up (raging, hex, hunters quarry, extra attacks etc)

#22

pukunui

Jan 08, 2015 17:15:27

Leugren wrote:

#23

Leugren

Jan 08, 2015 18:35:09

pukunui wrote:

#24

Leugren

Jan 09, 2015 10:00:08

My own perspective on the Sentinel feat is that it's utility will tend to vary depending on the composition of the party. I am creating a paladin to accompany a group whose front line currently consists of a Circle of the Moon Druid and a Berserker Barbarian. With their low AC's these two characters have been taking a lot of punishment lately. In spite of their durability, they have both been brought to the brink of death on several occasions. I am planning to join this party as a sword-and-board paladin with a really high AC. With the Sentinel feat, I'm fairly certain that I'll be able to take some of the pressure off of these two characters by either drawing enemy fire away from them or by using my reaction to drop a nasty Divine Smite on the first monster that decides to ignore me. I think Sentinel can work well when you have some allies who are just begging to be hit by virtue of a really bad AC score and/or just general squishiness. If the DM ignores these squishy targets and goes after you, then you have done your job, even if you never get to use your extra attack. If the DM goes after the squishy targets instead, then it's like someone threw you a surprise party because you get to make a free attack that you never really anticipated, even though you hoped for it. Without the Sentinel feat, I believe that it would be pretty easy for the monsters to just ignore me because I will have the highest AC among the frontliners, and because relatively speaking, my overall damage output over time is not that impressive in spite of some really nice novas.

#25

guachi

Jan 09, 2015 13:58:13

I just realized that you could intentionally provoke an OA just so you could use Sentinel (preferably a Rogue with Sentinel). If the bad guy attacks the dude with Sentinel, then have an ally who goes after the bad guy leave his reach. If he attacks, he provokes Sentinel and hopefully takes tons of damage.

#26

Leugren

Jan 09, 2015 17:38:01

guachi wrote:

#27

guachi

Jan 09, 2015 18:20:23

I think I should suggest this to our Bear Barbarian when he rages as he's resistant to damage at that point.

#28

pukunui

Jan 10, 2015 0:35:44

@Leugren: Those are some good points. Unfortunately for me, all the PCs in the group have an AC of at least 20, even the wizard (IIRC, he has both bracers of defense and a staff of power plus a decent Dex). The druid has homebrewed ironwood plate and a shield. The dwarf has dwarven plate and a shield. The monk has max Dex, a decent Wis, and a cloak of protection.

I'm hoping for either mithril plate or +1 studded leather. Combine that with a shield, the Defense fighting style, and a cloak of protection (if I can wrangle one out of the DM), that'll put me at AC 22, which is what the dwarf has got. If the DM won't give me either of those armors, I think I'll MC into warlock and get Armor of Shadows. Mage armor is equivalent to +1 studded leather, except that you can't add the Defense fighting style to it, so I'd only have an AC of 21, but that's still pretty good.

#29

Leugren

Jan 10, 2015 2:30:46

pukunui wrote:

#30

DaveDash

Jan 10, 2015 3:33:48

Sentinel seems better with a reach weapon than with sword and board.

#31

MHolmanEsq

Jan 10, 2015 7:46:10

DaveDash wrote:

#32

GladiusLegis

Jan 10, 2015 9:12:26

pukunui wrote:

#33

GladiusLegis

Jan 10, 2015 9:15:50

MHolmanEsq wrote:

#34

pukunui

Jan 10, 2015 10:48:41

GladiusLegis wrote:

(Reply to #33)

DaveDash

GladiusLegis wrote:

#36

MHolmanEsq

Jan 10, 2015 17:17:57

DaveDash wrote:

#37

Frozeman

Jan 13, 2015 22:50:36

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but something to remember if you think it is "underwhelming because it doesn't come up often", chances are you aren't taking this feat to up your dpr, you're taking it to be a tank. The extra attacks and reduced movement from the feat are all a consolation prize. Unless you're being pretty incompetent tactically, not ever getting to use the feat means that they are doing what you want, and attacking you instead of the squishies.

#38

pukunui

Jan 13, 2015 23:17:46

Fair enough. I decided not to start out with it, but I may take it later on. I'll see how the character plays without it first. The DM may let me use the optional marking rule, albeit with the caveat that it costs a bonus action to use (which is what I would do if I was the DM too; giving it out for free seems a bit much).

#39

phoenixnemo

Jan 21, 2015 2:55:36

....has there been any discussion of whether "within 5 feet" was meant to mean "within melee range" (which is 5 feet for most weapons) such that a polearm user could enjoy the reactive-attack beneift without going nose-to-nose? I really like the feat and to make sure I'm getting as much mileage as possible out of it.

(Reply to #39)

Clutchbone

phoenixnemo wrote:

(Reply to #40)

Undrhil

Clutchbone wrote:

#42

Leugren

Jan 21, 2015 18:59:34

Undrhil wrote:

(Reply to #41)

Clutchbone

Undrhil wrote:

(Reply to #43)

Undrhil

Clutchbone wrote:

#45

Kalani

Jan 22, 2015 20:19:14

Clutchbone wrote:

#46

FabulousRex

Jan 22, 2015 23:50:44

I think trying to make Sentinel 'work' for a character is an excercise in that old 4e Defender Balance. You gotta have the Threat to do enough damage, not usually a problem for most characters that take Sentinel (especially Rogues). You gotta be Tough enough to handle increased attack volume, resistence and/or high HP help here, but not AC... That's where you can run into a problem. If you have too much AC/Saves, monsters will attack your squishy allies anyways, since they won't have a chance of hurting you.

All that said, the best Sentinel setup probably involves using Great Weapon Fighting and Heavy Armor Mastery for toughness. Pack a whollop with your hits, stay well protected, but not TOO well protected, and try to interpose yourself and be a general nuisance!

#47

Kalani

Jan 22, 2015 23:54:41

FabulousRex wrote:

#48

phoenixnemo

Jan 23, 2015 4:03:07

Kalani wrote:

(Reply to #48)

Clutchbone

phoenixnemo wrote:

#50

phoenixnemo

Jan 26, 2015 6:11:31

Clutchbone wrote:

(Reply to #50)

Clutchbone

phoenixnemo wrote:

(Reply to #51)

MHolmanEsq

Not intending to necro a thread, but I have a new experience with Sentinel that I wanted to run by you.

My DM is basically running it as "Every creature, no matter its intelligence, realizes that you are somehow more threatening and will always attack you even if someone else is closer/did damage to them more recently/did more damage than you did/is obviously less defensible". What this breaks down to is never getting to use the Sentinel counter-attacks (going on 2 levels without using it) and being the target of nearly every attack...sure, I'm a Defender, but I didn't think I was going to have a bullseye on my back from the get-go.

Does it fit 'logic' to have all monsters instantly identiy a Sentinel as the biggest threat possible and attack you to the exclusion of everyone else? Should I have the chance to BE a Sentinel (a few counter attacks defending my comrades) before they realize "hey, he is looking out for them...kill him first!"?

#53

Lilika

Jun 29, 2015 18:42:47

Sentinel might work with a Rogue with 3 lvls of Fighter for Battlemaster (riposte). If an enemy attacks you and misses you riposte, if they hit you, then you Uncanny Dodge for half damage, if they attack someone else you hit them with Sentinel.

(Reply to #52)

FrogReaver

MHolmanEsq wrote:

(Reply to #52)

Macv12

MHolmanEsq wrote:

#56

MHolmanEsq

Jun 29, 2015 20:11:48

FrogReaver wrote:

#57

MechaPilot

Jun 29, 2015 20:28:35

I just started running LMoP for a group, and one of the players is considering taking Sentinel as part of his build as he levels.

I can't comment about the effectiveness of the feat, but I will say that even before it comes into play I have already decided that a character can attampt to hold back enemies from rushing past her: there will be an attribute contest to see if the creature is stopped. An attribute contest is not given any type of action requirement, so I see it as being able to be a non-action, though I probably will require a character to spend her action to attempt to block off every space within her reach.

(Reply to #55)

Clutchbone

Macv12 wrote:

(Reply to #56)

FrogReaver

MHolmanEsq wrote:

#60

Slagger_the_Chuul

Jun 30, 2015 10:29:28

To add to what FrogReaver has said, having enemies stick to you ("aggro", "threat", "hate" or whatever else you like to call it) is actually one of the fundamental abilities of defending/tanking, and the DM is basically making Sentinel do that even better than normal. The effective bullseye painted on you tells you where they're going to hit, and knowing is half the battle.

The other fundamental requirement for a tank is being able to survive the damage, so make sure the party knows to help their tank stay alive to keep the attacks off them. It can be pretty efficient as well, since you're the obvious target for buffs like heroism, and can help to group enemies together so they make better targets for area effects (as long as the party manages to avoid you). Sticking to you also means they stay in striking distance for your regular attacks.

Laugh in the face of your enemies for their inability to get past you, hit them with back with everything other than your one reaction per turn, then gather round with your party to spit on the bodies. You've got Sentinel, and the enemies are so scared of it that they aren't even thinking straight.

#61

Thoughts_My_Aim

Jun 30, 2015 10:54:27

As other people have pointed out, I suspect that there's a kind of sweet-spot of DM behaviour where Sentinel is very useful.

If your DM is very generous, they might just have monsters attack your tank characters anyway - I tend to do this because I tend to assume that the tankier characters are making an active effort to attract the attention of enemies, even if they aren't using game mechanics. In this case Sentinel isn't very useful.

If the DM runs in a more grids-and-minis style, then it becomes a lot more valuable.

If the DM is super keen on playing the monsters to win, taking every opportunity to focus-fire the squishy characters, it might not be hugely helpful in the long run.