In a XXXB or XXBZZZ list, which would you take?

both at 21 points:

generic X-wing or generic HWK + ICT?

While both are fun, I feel like my lists tend to win more when I take out the HWK and use the X. I'd also say that I'm more capable of flying the HWK than I am with the X.

I hear the generic X is perhaps a point or two cost inefficient. Does that make the ICT HWK even more cost inefficient?

If you want an ion monkey shave two points and go for a Gold Y-wing. HWKs, I'd go for Roark, his ability is invaluable for dealing with TIE phantoms.

Why use a HWK when you could a Y-wing instead?

Do you guys really like a Y-wing that much better? I think I like the HWK's dial...

Also the HWK is cuter.

I feel like the destress options are better on the HWK even though you have more options on a Y. It just seems like once you stress a Y, its hard to destress.

I guess it is 2 less points though.

As a general answer to that question (assuming this is Gold Squadron pilot versus Rebel Operative), the HWK has a crew slot and the Y-wing has an Astromech Slot and two Torpedo (soon to be interchangeable with Bomb) slots, so if you're after a Crew upgrade the Y-wing can't provide.

A specific, contextual answer to why a HWK ICT with nothing else over a Y-wing ICT with nothing else is the HWK's two points cheaper.

Do you guys really like a Y-wing that much better? I think I like the HWK's dial...

Yeah, I like the Y-wing as a basic ship more than the Rebel Operative: it's tougher and significantly more maneuverable (which is saying a lot for a Y-wing) and is definitely worth the two extra points over the HWK as an ion platform. It can K too. The HWK's strength is its named pilots.

If you like the HWK though and can find three points you can push the ICT HWK to a Roark ICT HWK. Roark has an excellent pilot ability that can really help your low PS ships.

WAIT ITS NOT 2 POINTS LESS, ITS TWO POINTS MORE!

(That extra shield and hull help a lot too)

If destressing the Y-wing is an issue for you then R2 astromech should fix that. That extra point puts the Y-wing at the same price as the Roark HWK I keep advocating though.

Awesome. Will have to buy a Y. Glad to know there are things I'm not familiar with that are exciting to try. New things in games keep them refreshing longer. .

Also. Moldy crow or recon spec?

I think vastly moldy crow. You'll have 3 or 4 F from the start of the game saved up and any later you don't use. If you're attacked you can use more than 2 in a single turn. If you aren't attacked you're very free to take TL for TL F ion hit insurance.

Was also adding Jan as crew for evade on one list where the Hwk was the priority target.

Someone likes HWK dial? I have few bridges and kingdom in Nigeria I want to sell to you

Awesome. Will have to buy a Y. Glad to know there are things I'm not familiar with that are exciting to try. New things in games keep them refreshing longer. .

Also. Moldy crow or recon spec?

I think vastly moldy crow. You'll have 3 or 4 F from the start of the game saved up and any later you don't use. If you're attacked you can use more than 2 in a single turn. If you aren't attacked you're very free to take TL for TL F ion hit insurance.

Was also adding Jan as crew for evade on one list where the Hwk was the priority target.

Good luck finding a Y I think I saw one on Amazon for £170...

Someone likes HWK dial? I have few bridges and kingdom in Nigeria I want to sell to you

Fly through asteroid fields? . Ion into asteroids? Gain extra green dice? Sign me up.

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Oh yeah. Effing ffg and their supply problems.

HWK is great ship, and I use it in almost every list I play, but i curse its dial every time, its just hopeless, I would take shuttle dial over it every, not speaking of every other ship

HWK is great ship, and I use it in almost every list I play, but i curse its dial every time, its just hopeless, I would take shuttle dial over it every, not speaking of every other ship

You realize the only differences in the dial is that the shuttle has a red stop, and the 2 turn is red instead of white right? Which means you're basically saying you like the stop maneuver quite a bit. But keep in mind that it's on a large base ship. So if we go and say you move 1 forward every other turn with the shuttle (total distance of 3) vs. 1 forward every turn with the HWK (total distance of 4) the HWk barely moves further, but it doesn't lose its action.

Personally speaking, I like both the HWK and the Y-wing about equally, but the Y-wing gets a tad more love from me. Its extra armor and shields make it into a durable ion platform. The HWK on the other hand I like because it's got the extra evade die, and its raw hit points are the same as the X-wing. True, it does have a terrible dial, but I usually run it as a support ship with a nice ion cannon turret anyway, and it doesn't have to outmaneuver the enemy ships so much as draw their fire away from the main fighting force.

The HWK's dial gets a lot better if you drop Nien Numb on it, though. Seriously, having that red 4 straight become a green 4 straight can really help you keep out of tight situations and keep up with some of your faster ships if the need arises. And all the named pilot support abilities are pretty fantastic too, and getting better when Rebel Aces drops...

On the flip side, ICT Dutch is a great support ship too, and packs a tiny bit more punch than the HWK with its primary, and is much tankier.

ICT Dutch costs a lot. =/

Y-Wings can actually hit things from range 3, roll enough red dice at range 1 to forgo the turret, and have a K-turn. There are plenty of reasons to run a Y over a HWK.

Also: Cracken + Swarm Tactics is a great ship at 21 points.