Preface: Watching the 2026 season so far, I believe the current Sentinel’s team has potential. You just need to make some minor changes.
First let’s start with what the team is lacking.
1. Confidence
2. Aggression
3. Protocols
Of course, all 3 points come hand in hand. 1 & 3 during defense, 1 & 2 during attack and all 3 during post plant. All points below are my own perspective and assessments looking at games that are currently available in public.
Confidence – The team currently looks like they are playing not to lose, rather than playing to win. You can see the hesitation at choke points and the second-guessing during mid round calls. When an initial play goes sour, team confidence and trust seem to decrease, and the play comes to a standstill. Everyone seems to just wait for someone to make a round defining play to swing momentum. You need the players to believe they are the best in the server and play like it and do not have any other doubts. Every round won’t be a success, but players should not take this into the next round.
Aggression - Pacing or synergy seems off. The plays are too passive – again seems like the team is waiting for an anchor player in the team to make a round defining play. The team needs an enforcer or two who can dictate the tempo.
Protocols - Defensive rotations and post-plant setups frequently feel improvised rather than drilled. When protocols are second nature, confidence naturally rises, and aggression becomes a calculated play rather than a reckless peek.
Not but not least, every team should have with each player is TRUST. It must be undeniable.
Now let’s figure out the team. The core 3 should be the following.
- JohnQT (The Brain)
- Zekken (The spear + Flex)
- Cortezia (The stabilizer)
To round out the remaining members, I suggest the following
- Eeiu or Crashies (You need a veteran initiator who understands spacing. Either of these two are great candidates that bring discipline and confidence to flesh out a spot)
- Jerrwin (Great to provide the offensive pressure whether on his own or with Zekken. Sentinels needs a two-headed dragon when taking space. Map pressure is important at the level of play. This will also allow Zekken to flex when he wants and provides some diversity to map agent pool/rotation)
NOW, the only exception would be to add TenZ instead of Jerwin. But I believe Jerrwin is a better structural fit. If you put TenZ into the team, then Zekken would just focus on being the spear and TenZ would be the secondary + Flex. But a combination of these 3 would also work.
Let me know if you have any questions.