From: wcw@wegl.b24a.ingr.com (William Wallace)
Subject: Brief History of Sentinels [LONG]
Organization: Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 23:30:56 GMT

The following is brief outline of the history and power classification
of the sentinels.  I thought I would try to correct some of the
the misinformation that has been flying around since the sentinels
appeared in XTAS.

All sentinels are not the same.

Mark I  - Uncanny X-Men #14-16
   Builder:   Bolivar Trask
   Abilities: Great Strength, Flight via Jet Propulsion,
              Energy Blast from Chest

   History:   Its been a long time since I read reprints of these issues 
              and unfortunately I don't have them anymore.  These were
              basically, just big robots built to protect mankind from
              the threat of mutants.  The concept of the master mold
              was also introduced in these stories.  The master mold was
              larger than the standard sentinels and possesed more 
              independent thought.


Mark II  - Uncanny X-Men #57-59
   Builder:   Larry Trask (son of Bolivar Trask)
   Abilities: Vast Strength, Flight via Jet Propulsion,
              Palms equiped with: steel tendrils, force blasts, 
               and jets of knockout gas or steam.
              Able to analyze opposing force or combatant and rapidly
              adjust mode of attack to compensate.

   History:   These were by far the most powerful version of the
              sentinels.  They were both stronger and possesed more
              independent thought than other models.  The ability to 
              analyze an opponent and adjust their attack was the 
              most useful attribute.  For example, they would use steam
              to counter Icemans cold.  These sentinels managed to 
              capture most of Marvels mutant population of that time
              including, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Blob, Unus,
              Mastermind, Mesmero, Magneto (robot), Banshee, Angel, 
              Iceman, Havok, and Polaris.

              Although formidable they were not indestructable.  The
              X-Men managed to defeat some of them by taking advantage of
              their adaptability.  For example, Cyclops, Jean, and Beast
              changed clothes with Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and the
              Toad.  A sentinel preparing to deal with Quicksilver's
              super speed was then destroyed by Cyclops optic blast.

              In the end, the X-Men managed to defeat these sentinels 
              using logic.  Cyclops took advantage of their prime
              directive to protect humanity from mutants, to talk them 
              into attacking the source of mutation rather than the 
              mutants themselves.  Number 2 (the head sentinel) ordered
              the sentinels to follow him in a trip to study the sun 
              the source of most mutations.

              These sentinels later returned from their trip around the
              sun in Avengers # 103 and 104.  The writer took their
              ability to adapt and pushed it one step further, so that 
              any method of attack could only work once.  For example, if
              the Vision, destroyed a sentinel by partialy materializing
              inside it, no other sentinels could be harmed in this manner.
              They were eventually defeated when they discovered that
              Number 2 had been mutated by excess exposure to solar 
              radiation.  The remaining sentinels then destroyed
              number 2 and self destructed with their base in Australia.

Mark III  -  Uncanny X-Men #98-100
   Builder:   U.S. Government and Stephen Lang
   Abilities: Great Strength, Flight via Jet Propulsion,
              Palms equiped with: steel tendrils, force blasts, 
               and jets of knockout gas or steam.

   History:   This model was similar in appearance to the Mark IIs,
              but they were vastly inferior.  They were built from
              incomplete notes and plans.  In addition, they were
              intentionally designed to be less intelligent, to
              prevent them from becoming autonomous.

              Without the advantage of surprise or numbers, these 
              sentinels could be destroyed by all of the more powerful
              X-Men.  Lang also built a set of X-sentinels in the
              form of the original X-Men (including Havok and Polaris).
              The X-sentinels were also inferior and easily defeated by
              the internationl group of X-Men.

              Although not revealed in the original story, Lang built
              a Master Mold for this batch of sentinels.  Lang, dying &
              abandoned in the destroyed Space Platform managed to merge
              his intelligence with the Master Mold as depicted in 
              Hulk Annual #7.  This Master Mold later resurfaced in 
              X-Factor #13-14 where he was defeated by Cyclops.  Later,
              he retured again in Uncanny X-Men #246-247 where he merged 
              with Nimrod, the sentinel from the future (see below).
              He was defeated by Rogue and Dazzler and sent through the
              Seige Perilous along with Rogue.

Mark IV and V  - Uncanny X-Men #151  New Mutants #2
   Builder:   Shaw Industries for Project "Wide Awake"
   Abilities: Great Strength, Flight via Jet Propulsion,
              Equipped with: steel tendrils, energy blasts, 
               and jets of knockout gas or steam, and ice blasts.

   History:   These sentinels were built under the direction of Project
              Wide Awake under the supervision of Henry Peter Gyrich. 
              This project introduced the "Mutant Registration Act" and
              the sentinels were built to enforce registration.

              The Mark IV sentinels were similar in appearance and power
              levels to the Mark III sentinels.
              The Mark V sentinels were slightly smaller and introduced
              a new look and color scheme (gray and blue).  They are
              similar in power to the Mark IV sentinels with the additon
              of Ice Blast from their eyes.

              As with the Mark III batch, these sentinels can be
              destroyed by most of the more powerful members of 
              the X-Men.


Omega Series  - Uncanny X-Men #141-142, 202
   Builder:   ?
   Abilities: Vast Strength, Flight via Jet Propulsion,
              equiped with: steel tendrils, force blasts, plasma
               blast and jets of knockout gas.
              Able to analyze opposing force or combatant and rapidly
              adjust mode of attack to compensate.

   History:   These sentinels introduced in the "Days of Future Past"
              storyline are very similar in appearance and power levels
              to the Mark II sentinels.  In their future timeline, they
              have taken over control of the United States and have
              captured or killed most of America's mutant and superhuman
              population.

Nimrod  - Uncanny X-Men #191
   Builder:   ?
   Abilities: Vast Strength, Flight, Self-regeneration
              equiped with: force blasts, energy blast, 
               and knockout gas.
              Able to analyze opposing force or combatant and rapidly
              adjust mode of attack to compensate.

   History:   Nimrod was a total redesign for the sentinels.  He is
              human-sized and has the ability to regenerate damaged 
              parts or reshape himself to suit his combatant.  Nimrod
              is also able to assume a human form.

              In Uncanny X-Men #246, Nimrod is merged with the previously
              dormant Master Mold.  The master mold persona seized 
              control and went on a rampage.  He was able to augment 
              his mass and size by taking on steel and electronics from
              a construction site and nearby vehicles.  He was destroyed 
              by the X-Men, primarily Rogue and Dazzler and sent 
              through the Seige Perilous before he could regenerate.


Whew.  So much for being brief.

This brings me back to my original reason for posting, the sentinels in
XTAS.  The sentinels in XTAS most closely resemble the Mark III or IV
sentinels.  Since the Mark IV sentinels were built for Project Wide
Awake, this makes them the obvious choice.

As presented in XTAS, the sentinels were capable of defeating and 
capturing mutants when prepared for their assignment.  They showed a 
lack of complex thinking, basically performing one function at a time.  
The Sentinel in the mall was sent to capture Jubilee, and basically 
ignored the X-Men until attacked.  Even then he continued with his 
original function until destroyed.

The sentinels that attacked the X-Men outside the Mutant Control Center,
were programmed for attack.  They took the offensive and used superior
numbers to keep the X-Men on the run.  Similarly the sentinels at the
plant, were in a defensive mode.  In addition it appeared that many of
them were powered down at the begining of the attack causing them to be
slugish in joining the attack.

I hope this helps.