Non-unique characters have a hard time finding a place, but as far as villain blue enablers, you can’t go wrong with Sentinel Messenger.
Introduction
Sentinel Messenger, is a non-unique blue, villain character with the droid subtype, which is unusual for a blue character. With 8 Health and a point value of 8, Sentinel Messenger is an auxiliary character and often finds himself in three wide decks, filling out those last few points. The die sides are 2 Melee, 1 Focus, 1 Focus, 1 Shields, 1 Resource, and a blank and his game text reads: You cannot play Blue abilities on this character. | After you activate this character, look at the top card of your deck. You may play that card (paying its cost).
Design Notes
While we are still exploring the world of sub-types, the fact that the majority of characters from past sets have had sub-types added to them allows for a fairly good grasp of intended theming within colors. However, right on the outset of subtype prevalence, Convergence breaks the mold by incorporating a blue droid character. Since Awakenings, there have been eight droid characters, six of which are red, and the other two yellow, as would be expected from L3-37 and IG-88. Only one blue droid exists, which is R2-D2 as a support character.
8 points for 8 health is pretty typical for a non-unique character, but as many have quickly discovered, the subtype on this card opens up one of the more interesting paths, allowing this character to fit in a droid themed deck and give it access to blue, a color those decks previously ignored.
Also the ability gives you effectively a sixth card in your hand. Being able to look at the top card of your deck and have the option to play it upon activation does several things:
- Basically gives you two actions in a turn (activating character and playing a card).
- Allows the playing of a card without reducing hand size.
This is likely why the character does not have a high percent chance of rolling damage.
Artwork/Lore
The Sentinel Messenger comes from a couple different places, but first and foremost the Marvel comic series “Shattered Empire,” a series which picks up right after the Battle of Endor. It tells of these messengers who were to be activated upon the Emperor’s death, and gives various directions to continue to carry out Palpatine’s will, even in death. They have since shown up in other mediums, including the second and third novel in the aftermath trilogy, and in Star Wars: Battlefront II. The ability of their card reflects their overall purpose of staying one step ahead, which gives you the option to take a different path than the one laid before you in your hand.
Things to Consider
Non-unique Characters always have a tough time finding an identity. Aside from the First Order Storm Trooper, very few non-unique characters have seen frequent play.
When trying to put him on a team, consider what he brings: easy access to blue cards, enabling a rainbow build, while accessing his ability, especially if resource generation is not a concern. You can also leverage his droid subtype, allowing him to gain the benefits of the new Grievous, and is spotable for some of the new red droid events in Convergence.
Beyond that, he is quickly becoming the best choice for low cost blue Characters in standard. Now that Nightsister has rotated out, activating a rainbow build is easier and much more effective with this little guy.
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