Sentinel (Final Fantasy XIII)

Sentinel is a paradigm role in Final Fantasy XIII whose main function is to shield allies from enemy attacks with enhanced defense. They can counterattack after taking on enemy attacks, making them similar to a Viking. The role is symbolized with the initials SEN and the color yellow.

Profile
Merely being in the role boosts the character's defense against both physical and magical attacks and the bonus is distributed to the other party members in lesser degree. The bonus depends on the role level and applies even if the attack ignores physical/magical defense. If the paradigm has more than one Sentinel the bonus is the sum of all applicable Sentinel bonuses.

Sentinel is a primary role for Snow and Fang, and a secondary role for Lightning, Vanille, Sazh, and Hope.

The player earns the Sentinel's Seal achievement upon learning all the abilities and reaching level 5 for the Sentinel role of a single character. This can only be achieved after defeating the final boss to unlock Stage 10 of the Crystarium.

Role Levels
The Crystarium Levels when each character can advance in role level.

The Sentinel's role bonus reduces damage and the bonus extends to other party members. If the party has more than one Sentinel the Sentinels get both their personal bonus for being a Sentinel, plus the party Sentinel bonuses from the other Sentinel(s). The role bonus is not contributed if the party member is incapacitated, and during summoning an Eidolon, only the party leader's role bonuses count.

Command Abilities
When a Sentinel is guarding using any of its guard abilities, enemies cannot launch them in the air.

AI Mechanics

 * The Sentinel's first move is to draw in all enemy aggression. If there are at least three enemies that can be provoked, but are not currently provoked, the Sentinel will use the Provoke ability. If there are one or two enemies that can be provoked, but are not currently provoked, the Sentinel will use the Challenge ability. If Challenge is not available, they will use Provoke instead. Enemies that have "high damage-dealing potential" are always provoked first. Sentinels will only use Provoke and Challenge once per turn.
 * Once all enemies are provoked, the Sentinel will use their guard abilities depending on their current HP. If their HP is full or close to full, Sentinels will use counter attack abilities, such as Vendetta or Entrench. If their HP is around half full, Sentinels will use Mediguard. If their HP is very low, Sentinels will use Steelguard. Sentinels will only guard once their ATB gauge is full.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade
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Other Languages

 * Spanish: Protector - Protector
 * Italian: Sentinella - Sentinel
 * French: Défenseur - Defender
 * German: Verteidiger - Defender
 * Chinese: 防禦者, Fangyuzhe - Defender

Trivia

 * As Hope has wider choice in abilities than Lightning, Elude is considered as Lightning's "signature" Sentinel move.