I never saw this and posted something similar on the Gladiator forum.

I see no need. Sentinel points can be gained while playing 3 different classes (Gladiator, Conjurer & Thaumaturge). If you do more than one of them, Sentinel will be the first "class" you get to R50 anyway.
Not everyone desires playing through CON & THM just to get shield skill up. Besides, if there are no leve/quest SP rewards for shield, then it makes no difference what class you play. Pre 1.18 had SP point bonuses galore, and shield skill was apart of it. No reason it shouldn't be the same for SP rewards post 1.18.

Only getting sword skill is going to skew the shield skill at later levels.

Please fix!