Ultimate Sentinel Build Guide - Mass Effect 2 (ME2)

This post covers the Best Sentinel Build guide in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition. It is a unique class that relies on Tech Armor ability that allows to play offensive, defensive, and support roles.

Shepard Sentinel Build - Shining Knight

This build offers a Sentinel build that concentrates on using its armor to stun enemies and increase its survivability.

You will be able to stun enemies within an 18-meter radius once your armor is destroyed. Moreover, 50% of it will instantly be restored. Due to this, the build is extremely sturdy. You will be the last one standing in most of the encounters if your companions are taken out.

Squad Point Allocation

This section will cover the end-game build squad point allocation for the Sentinel build. This is a quick overview

Power name	Evolution	Level (Squad Points)
Throw	-	2 (3)
Warp	-	2 (3)
Tech Armor	Assault Armor	4 (10)
Overload	Area Overload	4 (10)
Cryo Blast	-	0
Defender	Guardian	4 (10)
Warp Ammo (Bonus power)	Heavy Warp Ammo	4 (10)

Due to Warp Ammo bonus power, this build will have no problem against enemies with Barriers. We also take Overload to deal with enemy shields and synthetics.

Ability Progression

Order	Skill	Description
1	Throw Lv 2	We take this early on to later unlock Warp. Moreover, it is fairly useful early in the game after you strip enemy defenses. You can then shortly incapacitate enemies if you are overwhelmed
2	Tech Armor Lv 2	This is the signature ability of Sentinel. It increases overall shields by 50% and releases an energy pulse that knockbacks enemies and damages them. Very effective in breaking enemy tempo.
3	Overload Lv 2	An important ability that you can use to strip enemies of their shields. It is useful early on when you will be fighting multiple Blue Suns mercenaries. This will make the early game much easier. Moreover, it is useful on some side missions. As you progress through the game this should be replaced by companion's Overload.
4	Warp Lv 2	This is an important ability that serves a few purposes. You can use it to strip enemies of armors, barriers, and stop their health regeneration. Is very good against Vorcha and Krogans. However, you can also use this ability to detonate Biotic Explosion against enemies under the effect of Biotic fields.
5	Defender Lv 2	Passive Class ability of Sentinel. It provides bonus health and reduces Power recharge time. Thanks to it you will be able to use Tech Armor more often.
6	Tech Armor Lv 4	Take the Assault Armor upgrade. This upgrade will greatly improve the overall gameplay of Sentinel Build. It provides an important mechanic - instant shield restoration after their depletion. This way after your shields deplete and Sentinel releases the pulse you will still be protected. This opens up much more aggressive gameplay where you can constantly stay in the enemy's face.
7	Warp Ammo Lv 2	This is an important ability that will greatly improve Sentinels' combat capabilities against enemies with armor and barriers.
8	Defender Lv 4	Take Guardian upgrade. With the 4th level, power recharge time is reduced by 30%. This means that you can use Tech Armor more often and minimize the chances that you may die from enemies.
9	Warp Ammo Lv 4	Take Heavy Warp Ammo upgrade. I prefer this choice for the build as you will be doing most of the damage. Moreover, you will be probably the last on standing in difficult encounters against enemies like Scions or Reapers. Due to this additional 15% damage will be very valuable.
10	Overload Lv 4	At last, we take the final levels of the ability and get Area Overload upgrade. At this point, I do not think it will make a big difference overall, but it will be useful against any synthetic or shielded enemies like Geth.

As an alternative to Overload Lv 4, you can also take Warp Lv 4. It will greatly improve your offensive capabilities against barriers and armor and will be invaluable on the last mission.

Tactics and Squad

In this section, I would like to go through some tips on how to best utilize the Sentinel Build in Mass Effect 2.

Advanced Weapon Training

During the Collector Ship mission, you will be able to obtain Advanced Weapon Training. This means that Sentinel can start using assault rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles.

My personal preference is Assault Rifle. This weapon allows Sentinel to engage in close and long-ranged combat. This way you can choose a preferred way to fight enemies. Moreover, it deals much more damage compared to other weapon types Sentinel can use.

You can also go for Shotguns, but they require to be in the enemy's face, risking your life. Of course with some practice with Assault Armor you can become effective at using this weapon.

Sniper Rifle is the least preferred option in my opinion. It is not bad, in fact, it is very good, but it just does not fit the role-play of a Sentinel for me. Have in mind, Soldiers and Infiltrators are more effective with this weapon as they have time-slowing capabilities.

Using melee

Due to the nature of the Tech Armor, the Sentinel can engage in melee combat. However, you should not do it when there are multiple enemies targeting you. This should be done when there is one enemy that you can take out safely and need to save ammo.

What makes it work is that if your Shields are depleted you release a large pulse that knockbacks enemies. This moment allows you to release multiple melee attacks and stun lock an enemy. Have in mind this will not work on Elite enemies.

Cooldown for Companions

Sentinel's Tech Armor level 3 comes with a unique ability that instantly resets cooldowns of companion abilities. It is confirmed that this is a bug left by developers that have not been patched.

However, we can use this to our advantage and have an overpowered team in the squad. So have this in mind when picking companions for the best combinations

Companions

Here is what I recommend for maximizing the squad's effectiveness:

• You can definitely pick Miranda, she is an extremely versatile companion. What is good about her is that she improves your weapon damage and health. However, she also has Overload and Warp, which can deal with most enemy protections.
• Another companion that I suggest picking is Jack or Samara. having a strong biotics user will greatly open new options for Biotic Explosions. Moreover, you can use them to incapacitate enemies with their biotic powers after you strip their defenses.
• One combination that I liked and really enjoyed was Zaeed and Garrus. After you tear down enemy defenses they would use Concussive Shots to throw enemies around.
• If you will fight multiple enemies that have Shield protection take Garrus or Miranda.
• Against Armored enemies, it is best to have - Samara. Her ability deals double damage against this protection. Mordin is another good choice with his Incinerate and he is available early in the game. Thane and Miranda have Warp, which deals double damage to this protection
• For Biotic Barriers definitely take Samara. Reave is a very powerful ability in these situations. Thane and Miranda are other good options as their Warp also deals double damage

Equipment

This section will cover recommended equipment for the Sentinel Build in Mass Effect 2.

Assault Rifles

In case you go with Assault Rifle training during the Collector Ship option here are my recommended weapons:

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
M-96 Mattock	Armor Barriers Shields	The go-to choice for Sentinel in my opinion. Comes with good accuracy, great damage multipliers, and low recoil.
M-15 Vindicator	Armor Barriers Shields	This is an interesting alternative that shoots in 3 round burst fire. Unfortunately, it has relatively low ammo, which can be problematic in long combat encounters.

Shotguns

Here are weapon options if you choose Shotguns for Advanced weapon training

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
Geth Plasma Shotgun	Shields Barriers	I like this one because it is fairly accurate from longer distances. This way Sentinel can also shoot before engaging in close combat. It can also be charged for much larger damage output.

Of course, you can pick any other shotgun here. Just try them out and see how well you can utilize them.

Sniper Rifles

Here are weapon options if you choose Sniper Rifles for Advanced weapon training

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
M-92 Mantis	Armor	This is a very powerful sniper rifle. Unfortunately, it only has 10 shots available. Due to this, you should make every shot count.
M-97 Viper	Armor Barriers Shields	This sniper Rifle has a high fire rate. Although it is effective against all protection types, the multipliers are fairly low. If you have high accuracy this Sniper Rifle is the way to go

Submachine Guns

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
M-9 Tempest	Shields Barriers	This is my go-to option against Shields and Barriers. It has a 1.5x multiplier against them, making it very effective against multiple enemies in the game.
M-12 Locust	Armor Shields Barrier	Another SMG option. It has lower multipliers. However, each of its shots deals more damage compared to the above option.

Heavy Pistol

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
M-5 Phalanx	Armors	This is my favorite pistol. It provides laser sight for 100% accuracy while aiming down sights. It is also very effective against armors and I use it once I am out of submachine gun ammo.
M-6 Carnifex	Armors	This one has high damage and is obtainable early in the game.

Heavy Weapons

Generally, any weapon works here. However, my favorite ones are below:

Weapon Name	Effective against	Description
Collector Particle Beam	Shields Barrier	I enjoy using this weapon in tight situations. It also is very good in the late game against Collectors.
Arc Projector	Armor Shields Barrier	This weapon is very effective against a group of enemies. It can easily strip their defenses.

Armors

This section will cover what armors I recommend for Shepard Sentinel Build. There are multiple options and a few things to concentrate on:

• Shield capacity
• Weapon damage
• Power recharge time

Type	Armor	Description
Helmet	Kestrel Helmet	Increases headshot damage by 5% Increases weapon damage by 3% Increases shields by 3%
Helmet	Archon Visor	Reduces the recharge time of your powers by 5%
Helmet	Sentry Interface	Increases shield strength by 5%
Chest	Kestrel Torso Sheath	Increases melee damage by 10% Increases weapon damage by 5% Increases shield strength by 3%
Chest	Shield Harness	Increases shields by 5%.
Shoulders	N7 Shoulder Guards	Increases weapon damage by 3%.
Shoulders	Kestrel Shoulder Pieces	Increases shields by 8% Increases melee damage by 10%
Arms	Kestrel Arm Sheathing	Increases weapon damage by 3% Increases shields by 3% Increases melee damage by 10%
Arms	Heavy Damping Gauntlets	Increases shields by 5%.
Legs	Kestrel Power Pack	Increases shields by 8% Increases heavy weapon ammo capacity by 5%

Pick the ones based on your preference.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this Sentinel build guide post in Mass Effect 2. I hope you enjoyed it and now better understand how to use this stealth class correctly.

Feel free to leave a comment below!