Here is the Squad:
Biggs + R2-F2 + Stealth Device
Garvin + R2-D2 + Shield Upgrade
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow
I played a could games with this squad and did amazingly well. Kyle was able to power up the focus battery. Even at times when all my ships bumped no pilots shot with out a focus. Opportunist + Blaster Turret, really made the HWK shine. No one is ready for a HWK to shot at you with 4 attack dice.
I've been arguing for a while that HWKs are undervalued in the current metagame. Glad you had a good match. (c:
I actually really like the squad. I've been messing around with Garven / Kyle builds recently and was attempting to put these 3 pilots together for a list. The opportunist is a nice touch. Do you find yourself passing focus tokens to Biggs in defensive situations or using them mostly for offense?
I recently flew the following list and had a lot of success.
Kyle Katarn + Blaster Turret + Moldy Crow = 28
Garven = 26
Biggs = 25
Rookie = 21
Been trying to fit a Recon Specialist on Kyle, but I'm not sure it's worth losing a rookie for a Y-wing or A-wing. Any thoughts?
I've been arguing for a while that HWKs are undervalued in the current metagame. Glad you had a good match. (c:
I don't even remember the time I last played as the Rebel Scum and DIDN'T use a HWK. The named HWK pilots have amazing abilities and are cheap.
your gaining much more then just a Recon Specialist over another ship. Giving Biggs two extra dice for defense usually means he sticks around a lot longer then flying him naked. With the list I have here, I would start out slow to build up the Focus Battery for Klye before making my first attack. The squad I was facing had similar pilot skill level as me. I often would hand off the Klye focus to Biggs and then Garvin also gave it to Biggs. I would use one focus from Biggs to attack and the other to defend.
Edited by OsoroshiiHere is the Squad:
Biggs + R2-F2 + Stealth Device
Garvin + R2-D2 + Shield Upgrade
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow
I played a could games with this squad and did amazingly well. Kyle was able to power up the focus battery. Even at times when all my ships bumped no pilots shot with out a focus. Opportunist + Blaster Turret, really made the HWK shine. No one is ready for a HWK to shot at you with 4 attack dice.
Crazy thought:
Why not switch the upgrades on Biggs and Garven: Stealth WILL be lost ASAP on Biggs and if he survives 1st round then R2D2 will increase his damage capacity for the following round and forcing the opponent to anticipate/prepare for this.
A very interesting squad either way. Good work
I rather like the idea of Kyle with Blaster Turret and Opportunist. Here is my take on it.
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Moldy Crow
Garven Dreis
Biggs Darklighter
(Lt. Blount) or (Tala Squadron Pilot + Concussion Missiles) or (Prototype Pilot)
You do not get any use out of Blount's special ability unless the enemy brings Stealth Devices, but he is still another gun that can shoot before Kyle to help strip tokens. For the other option, PS4 may be enough to get you a lock in the opening exchange, and there are two ways to get a donated focus while Biggs protects the ordnance. Use the A-wing for blocking to help set up more Opportunist shots.
Here is the Squad:
Biggs + R2-F2 + Stealth Device
Garvin + R2-D2 + Shield Upgrade
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow
I played a could games with this squad and did amazingly well. Kyle was able to power up the focus battery. Even at times when all my ships bumped no pilots shot with out a focus. Opportunist + Blaster Turret, really made the HWK shine. No one is ready for a HWK to shot at you with 4 attack dice.
Crazy thought:
Why not switch the upgrades on Biggs and Garven: Stealth WILL be lost ASAP on Biggs and if he survives 1st round then R2D2 will increase his damage capacity for the following round and forcing the opponent to anticipate/prepare for this.
A very interesting squad either way. Good work
Not crazy at all, I did consider giving the the R2D2 to Biggs. This does however leave Biggs with 2 defense dice and he is the one taking all the shots. By giving him the two extra dice for defense I find he last a lot longer. Garvin with R2 gives him survivability once Biggs is gone. The real gem here is the opportunist with blaster turret. Each match I never used opportunist less then 3 times. Once the X-wings K-turned the opposition would K-Turn opening the opportunist a great shot on stressed ships. If they didn't K-Turn they would be leaving two x's to attack from behind.
Friend of mine uses this biggs loadout and it can be quite gross.
Especially if firing through asteroids which sometimes you have to and /or range 3
I've seen him get 5-6 evade dice
This got me thinking, and along with my love of the HWK, to maybe want to try something like this for a Casual game:
Jan + Opportunist + Blaster Turret
Wes + Predator + R2 Astromech
Dagger + HLC + Adv Sensors
Wes can fire before Jan, and with his free attack die/dice reroll and then strip a Focus/Evade if any are left. This opens up the chance for Jan to then fire with the BT at potentially 4 dice, then the Dagger can fire at 5 dice at any range with Jan supporting.
You might consider going a bit more aggressive by dropping R2-F2 and the Stealth Device. Shift R2-D2 and the Shield Upgrade to Biggs. That leaves 6 points for a pair of hull upgrades, or perhaps to give Garven an Engine Upgrade and a generic R2.
The last load-out gives Garven a bit more leeway while Biggs is flying tandem with Kyle.
It's also easier to adapt the list come wave 4 (because you'll only change one ship's way of handling) where R7-T1 is bleeping at Garven enticingly.
I ran a tournament with Biggs R2F2 and stealth. It worked GREAT the first game, fifteen minutes losing one shield against 4 Squints including tricked out Soontir and Turr. Second and Third games Biggs rolled the fated FIVE blanks (range three shot) and died in a fireball on one game and then out of 12 rolls against three attacks and rolled like 3 evades. Ridiculous. I like the concept and it's cheaper than R2D2 and Shield upgrade, but it's a safer bet.
You're all talking as if there's some obvious synergy with Opportunist + Blaster Turret.
Am I missing something?
You're all talking as if there's some obvious synergy with Opportunist + Blaster Turret.
Am I missing something?
pewpewpewPEW
Dang. You guys are making me wanna buy a HWK. I love the idea of a focus factory. And Kyle as the secret killer.
...and then Garvin also gave it to Biggs.
This is why I fly for the Empire!!!
You're all talking as if there's some obvious synergy with Opportunist + Blaster Turret.
Am I missing something?
pewpewpewPEW
Even more obvious... 4 dice, 360-degree arc, range 1-2.
Here is the Squad:
Biggs + R2-F2 + Stealth Device
Garvin + R2-D2 + Shield Upgrade
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow
I played a could games with this squad and did amazingly well. Kyle was able to power up the focus battery. Even at times when all my ships bumped no pilots shot with out a focus. Opportunist + Blaster Turret, really made the HWK shine. No one is ready for a HWK to shot at you with 4 attack dice.
How does the HWK get 4 attack dice?
Opportunist + Blaster Turret
How does the HWK get 4 attack dice?
How does the HWK get 4 attack dice?Opportunist + Blaster Turret
Ah. Thanks.
I'm honestly not sold on Opportunist + Blaster Turret on a Hawk. With Moldy Crow it works a bit better, because you can stack focus, but you're basically giving away an action, and the Hawk has a helluva time shedding stress. Out of 12 moves, you've got 4 greens. Few of which are terribly useful, even with the turret.
Personally, I'm a big fan of the Hawk, but a stressed Hawk is a drain on the squad.
Outmaneuver could be interesting though. You need them in your primary arc, but you don't have to use your primary weapon.
Honestly, I'd probably just go Recon Spec and Ion Turret and call it a day.
However, I'm glad it worked for you.
I'm honestly not sold on Opportunist + Blaster Turret on a Hawk. With Moldy Crow it works a bit better, because you can stack focus, but you're basically giving away an action, and the Hawk has a helluva time shedding stress. Out of 12 moves, you've got 4 greens. Few of which are terribly useful, even with the turret.
Personally, I'm a big fan of the Hawk, but a stressed Hawk is a drain on the squad.
Outmaneuver could be interesting though. You need them in your primary arc, but you don't have to use your primary weapon.
Honestly, I'd probably just go Recon Spec and Ion Turret and call it a day.
However, I'm glad it worked for you.
Many times I would have 6-8 focus tokens stacked up on the HWK. Even on the initial approach I could run into their squad and still have a focus shot with everyone. It's almost impossible to play action denial against this squad. With having so many focus tokens on the HWK there's never a real need to squeeze in that green move just to clear a stress.
I Really enjoy the HWK as well, I'm so glad that you started this thread! Your Kyle build is tres cool and I'm gonna give it a whirl.
Two configs that I've been playing with (1 and 1a):
1) Jan and The Boys:
Jan Ors
Chewie, Adrenaline Rush, Ion Turret
B-Wing (Blue Squad) x2
FCS
A-Wing (Prototype)
I like this one as Jan is able to support with Ion and turn any squad-mate into a heavy hitter. Chewie keeps her alive long enough to be effective and A.R is there for emergencies. The A-Wing is able to flank and hit hard when needed thanks to Jan, while the B's protect her. Creeping ahead with a 4 dice shot is kinda fun, and FCS is a great boon to maximize the extra dice available.
1A) Jan and the B-Boyz :
Jan Ors
Chewie, Ion Turret
B-Wing (Blue Squadron) x3
This one has a similar vibe, but is more durable. On the downside, there is a bit less variety and no flanking.
Thoughts are most welcome!
I ran a squad in a tourney (crash course never played it before) and placed second. My only loss was to a very skilled player running a bloody dagger squad (2 red squad x wing and 2 dagger squad b wings)
Jan ORS, ion cannon, hull upgrade
Wedge, opportunist, r2 Astromech
Luke, opportunist, r2 astromech
Not crazy at all, I did consider giving the the R2D2 to Biggs. This does however leave Biggs with 2 defense dice and he is the one taking all the shots. By giving him the two extra dice for defense I find he last a lot longer. Garvin with R2 gives him survivability once Biggs is gone. The real gem here is the opportunist with blaster turret. Each match I never used opportunist less then 3 times. Once the X-wings K-turned the opposition would K-Turn opening the opportunist a great shot on stressed ships. If they didn't K-Turn they would be leaving two x's to attack from behind.Crazy thought:Here is the Squad:
Biggs + R2-F2 + Stealth Device
Garvin + R2-D2 + Shield Upgrade
Kyle Katarn + Opportunist + Blaster Turret + Recon Specialist + Moldy Crow
I played a could games with this squad and did amazingly well. Kyle was able to power up the focus battery. Even at times when all my ships bumped no pilots shot with out a focus. Opportunist + Blaster Turret, really made the HWK shine. No one is ready for a HWK to shot at you with 4 attack dice.
Why not switch the upgrades on Biggs and Garven: Stealth WILL be lost ASAP on Biggs and if he survives 1st round then R2D2 will increase his damage capacity for the following round and forcing the opponent to anticipate/prepare for this.
A very interesting squad either way. Good work
I meant (like the post below) that Biggs should get both the Shield Upgrade and R2D2, possibly rebooting his shields up to 3
You might consider going a bit more aggressive by dropping R2-F2 and the Stealth Device. Shift R2-D2 and the Shield Upgrade to Biggs. That leaves 6 points for a pair of hull upgrades, or perhaps to give Garven an Engine Upgrade and a generic R2.
The last load-out gives Garven a bit more leeway while Biggs is flying tandem with Kyle.
It's also easier to adapt the list come wave 4 (because you'll only change one ship's way of handling) where R7-T1 is bleeping at Garven enticingly.