Sentinel The Sentinels , also known as Sentinel Army , are an elite guard belonging to the night elves . Given the threat of invasion that constantly looms , few roles are as critical to the defense of the land as the sentinel . Sentinels perform guard duty . Sentinel is an ancient title , its skills are rooted in ancient tradition from even before the time of Queen Azshara . The Sentinels were established shortly after the War of the Ancients , and until recently all of its soldiers were night elf women . They were created in order to replace the old army . Sentinels are elite archers and skirmishers , capable of doing tricks with the bow that few others can hope to match . Sentinels are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light and medium armor , due to her extensive study of her foes and training in the proper techniques for combating them . In addition , sentinels are proficient in the use of arrows as a melee weapon . As a class , it shares elements from archer , hunter , and scout classes . Their hatred of orcs has also fueled their participation in the Alliance . After the death of during the Third War , many sentinels , druids and warrior night elves began a great hunt . Some night elves happily hunt orcs as a repayment for Cenarius ’ murder . Druids of the wild now strive to heal and restore the land , while sentinels keep their eternal watch for enemies both seen and unseen . Night elf sentinels favor moonglaives . Sentinels are found in many night elf village s in " World of Warcraft " , as well as among other races . History . Not long after the night elf druid s entered the Dreamways of Ysera ' s Emerald Dream , high priestess of the Sisters of Elune , Tyrande Whisperwind , assembled a powerful fighting force from amongst her night elf sisters . The fearless , highly trained warrior women who pledged themselves to Kalimdor ' s defense became known as the Sentinels . This period in history became known as the Long Vigil , and ended when the druids were awakened prior to the battle for Mount Hyjal . The Sentinels included a number of night elves who had fought bravely during the War of the Ancients . Chief among them was Shandris Feathermoon . Orphaned during the Legion ' s invasion , she was taken under Tyrande ' s care . Young Shandris distinguished herself in combat time and again throughout the conflict . Her heroics earned her a place at Tyrande ' s side thereafter , and when the Sentinels were forged , Shandris was named captain of the fledgling order . These warrior women practice both the art of combat , as well as that of healing and life - giving in the name of Elune . The Sentinels are considered the elite fighters among the night elves . They are led by the priestesses of the moon under the high priestess , Tyrande Whisperwind , and her lieutenant , Shandris Feathermoon . The Sentinels are comprised of elite night elf archers , a cavalry division known as the huntress es who ride the feral nightsaber panther s , and the mighty hippogryph rider s , who assault enemies from the air . Sentinel divisions . Sentinels share almost the exact customs as high elf rangers , to the point where you can only tell the difference by race . Many Sentinels fulfill their duties as huntresses , riding astride great nightsaber panthers , or as windwarriors astride hippogryphs . Sentinels are also the night elf version of elven ranger class .