I'm debating between a few different list ideas built around Roark's ability, based on an idea I saw on MetalBikini.

Without cannons:

Roark (19)

Wedge plus Swarm Tactics (31)
Garven Dreis (26)
Green A-Wing plus Swarm Tactics, Stealth Device (24)

The idea being that Roark boosts either Wedge or the A-Wing to PS12, who then chain it to give the entire squad the first attack. Pros: almost guaranteed to shoot first, Garven being able to pass Focus tokens to Wedge allows either Wedge to fire with a Target Lock/Focus combo, or hold onto a focus token for defense. Cons: The X-Wings are my only real offense, and Roark is basically mobile blocking terrain with a PS buff.

Variants of this list would be to replace the A-Wing with another X-Wing (attacking at 12/9/9), give the A-Wing PTL instead of Swarm Tactics & Stealth, and/or replace Dreis with Biggs (and droid, if I ditch the A-Wing).

With Cannons:

Roark plus Ion Cannon Turret(24)

Wedge plus Swarm Tactics (31)
Rookie X-Wing (21)
Green A-Wing plus Swarm Tactics, Stealth Device (24)

Roughly the same idea, only replacing Garven's Focus candy with something resembling actual offense out of the HWK slot. Pros: the HWK can do more than throw 1-die attacks and try to block ships. Cons: everything runs through Wedge, and he doesn't get a focus token to defend himself anymore.

Variants of this list would be to again consider swapping the A-Wing for an X-Wing, or just running it without any upgrades at all. The latter option would allow me to either upgrade Wedge's wingman to Dreis or Biggs, or upgrade Roark to a Blaster Turret/Recon Specialist combo.

You can try my roark squad that has given me a lot of success, including going 5-2 in the two store championships I recently did with it. It's similar to your ideas, but also solves the problems you had. You get to shoot 12-9-9-4, and all 4 ships have 3 attack dice.

Wedge with swarm - 29

Roark with blaster & recon - 26

Blue Bwing - 22

Rookie Xwing - 21

Total - 100

Unfortunately, I'm still starting out, so no B-Wings in my collection yet. Just three X-Wings, an A-Wing, a Y-Wing, a YT and the HWK on the Rebel side.

It sounds like the better alternative for my setup would be a 2nd Rookie over the A-Wing, and going with a turret on Roark? How badly would I be hurting myself if I tried to run him turretless?

Running an HWK without a turret is like walking with one leg.

You can do it and you won't get much out of it. And everyone's going to walk better and faster than you, and there's a prosthetic right over there. Maybe you have trouble fitting the pants over it quite right or maybe you can't put the sock on.

But you could walk.

(Basically, what I'm saying is that it's worth the hit in points)

A turret makes the HWK nearly unapproachable at range 2. It has an attack of three, and that's seriously nasty. that can one shot most TIEs if you roll true.

And only requires a focus, not a target lock, to fire! What's to lose here, honestly? Puts teeth on a ship that has none.

Zomg How can you not have a B-wing Hahaha their so good...

I do like the ps Roark chain but you should drop the A-wing, it needs to be making the most out of its speed and it can't do that if its hanging out with ships other than A-wings.

And yes to a turret.

Love the HWK, but would never run out without a turret.

I'm personally considering running:

Roark + Recon + Blaster

Garven

2 x Blue Squad + FCS

I know you said you didn't have any B wings, so I might switch them out for Biggs and a Rookie, then use Roark to bump up whoever had the most needed shot.

Blue Garnet Dagger!

Roark + recon + blaster

Dagger + Advsen

Blue +AdvSen

Rookie+ R2

hmm...no bwings...

Replace dagger and blue with xwing of choice. You don't get the chaining like you can from other lists so you could look into that. Chaining is do-able.

HWK w/o turret is a bad bad idea. 1/5 of your squad that does not contribute is not good. You wouldn't just put sheild upgrades on the rest of your squad and pay the points for someone to shoot at PS 12. 1 red dice might land 1 hit over the course of a game.

I would run Roark with an ion turret. Jan is the only HWK I think you can get away with not having a turret on; you're spending 19 points to shoot at PS12 with three ships. Roark's not even going to make a very good blocker at ps4. If you want a blocker, drop the green to a prototype a-wing.

I personally like Roark best with one other named pilot and two rookies or blues. I use him as an ion platform, and to let one near death rookie/blue shoot when they otherwise wouldn't have been able to. The first (and only!) tournament I did I ran Wedge w/adrenaline rush, roark with ion turret, blue squad x2 (one with FCS).

I appreciate all the feedback! I'll probably run the 2x Rookie with Blaster Turret list. I'm debating on the merits of Recon vs Crow title plus Nien.

A B-Wing or two is still on my shopping list, but I'm trying to pace my purchases to under $30 every two weeks. They'll probably have to wait until after I pick up the Aces expansion, as I need more options for my Imperial lists.

Nien is really only needed on jan

Nien is really only needed on jan

I think he's a waste on ANY HWK, IMHO. He only adds 2 green moves. Further more, Jan's ability range is huge and her position doesn't really matter because she has a turret. Green bank 1s is all I end up using with her through the mass majority of the game.

I would spend that point (if it had to go to the HWK) on an Intelligence Agent.

Another spin on using what you have at the moment for fun and profit is this

Roark - Ion turret

Dutch Vander - Ion turret

Garven Dreis

Rookie x wing

This comes in at 99 with possibility of either Nien numb for a more reliable hwk, an R2 or R5 for one of the other three or coming in a point under if you want the initiative. The list shoots at up to 12-6-6-4, is pretty reliable with all the target locking and focus going on and can even ion big ships.

I admit to having not tried the blaster turret but what with the ability you have to mess with people with ion rather than unfocused blaster fire (or as you are planning spending points to try and make up for this with recon or moldy crow) I'm personally not overly interested in trying but will look forward to any updates you have on that.

I have had success with the squad below. It leaves 4 points which I like using on Chewbacca (crew) for roark or R2-D2 on Luke for end game survival.

Luke Skywalker - Swarm Tactics 30

Rookie X-Wing 21

Rookie X-Wing 21

Roark Garnet - Ion Cannon Turret 24

Total 96

I was all set to share an exciting battle report about how I was able to take my team of Roark (with a Recon Specialist, Nien Nunb and a Blaster Turret), Wedge and two Rookies and go to success in a friendly match last night. I was going to tell a thrilling story about how Roark went up another squad of Biggs, two Blue Squadron B-Wings (one with a Heavy Laser) and another Rookie, and it came down to Roark as the sole survivor pulling off a come-from-behind victory that sold me on both the merits of a Blaster Turret/Recon Specialist combo, as well as Nien Nunb's critical role in allowing Roark to scream forward at a straight 4 without taking a stress token to evade a couple of firing arcs.

And then I started writing this post and realized (as several of you probably already have) that I apparently crammed two crew members into an HWK that only had one crew slot, which meant I my squad was blatantly illegal and I owe my opponent an apology.

*slams head on desk*

I suppose I can at least confirm that the HWK is pretty awesome with two crew members.

And then I started writing this post and realized (as several of you probably already have) that I apparently crammed two crew members into an HWK that only had one crew slot, which meant I my squad was blatantly illegal and I owe my opponent an apology.

*slams head on desk*

I suppose I can at least confirm that the HWK is pretty awesome with two crew members.

I was all set to share an exciting battle report about how I was able to take my team of Roark (with a Recon Specialist, Nien Nunb and a Blaster Turret), Wedge and two Rookies and go to success in a friendly match last night. I was going to tell a thrilling story about how Roark went up another squad of Biggs, two Blue Squadron B-Wings (one with a Heavy Laser) and another Rookie, and it came down to Roark as the sole survivor pulling off a come-from-behind victory that sold me on both the merits of a Blaster Turret/Recon Specialist combo, as well as Nien Nunb's critical role in allowing Roark to scream forward at a straight 4 without taking a stress token to evade a couple of firing arcs.

And then I started writing this post and realized (as several of you probably already have) that I apparently crammed two crew members into an HWK that only had one crew slot, which meant I my squad was blatantly illegal and I owe my opponent an apology.

*slams head on desk*

I suppose I can at least confirm that the HWK is pretty awesome with two crew members.

I doubt Numb changed much... the HWK doesn't need him.

Nunb basically added the ability to run 4 straight and take a focus token instead of a stress token. It was a move I only pulled twice in the match, but the second turned turned what would have been a Range 1 flanking attack from a Rookie X-Wing and allowed me to fly completely through his firing arc, which allowed me to open up with the blaster turret.

I'm sure I can make it work without it, and can probably use the point to give an R2 to a rookie.

Eh, Nein is amazing. I don't understand the hate for him on the hwk. He adds unpredictability and makes your opponent have to think a bit harder as to where your hwk will end up, from personal experience this has saved Jan multiple games. He is always an auto add to Jan, but not so much on the other named hwks.

I can understand it for those who rely on focus tokens. If you're running Kyle, a Blaster Turret and/or the Crow title, you'll probably get more mileage out of a Recon Specialist in that spot. Even with Ions, being able to spend a Focus to stick an attack while holding one for defense may be more valuable.

But if only have one point free and have that chair open, Nien's great.