I'm pretty sure that you need the astromech socket in order for the astromesh to use it's special maneuvers and actions. The socket allows the droid to directly interface with the ships systems so they can boost shield power or access the radar.
Modded HWK-290. Most capable starfighter?
I might put an Astromech in there, but I wouldn’t necessarily put in an Astromech socket.
What’s the reason for the socket, and spending the Hard Point?
I'm pretty sure that you need the astromech socket in order for the astromesh to use it's special maneuvers and actions. The socket allows the droid to directly interface with the ships systems so they can boost shield power or access the radar.
Pretty much. Socket allows the Astromech to hook up an connect to most/all systems simultaneously, which allows them to do the wide variety of maneuvers/actions without needing to specifically be at a specific station, and it is indeed necessary for the special maneuvers and actions.
My Ace Pilot character just got his stolen HWK-290 back and he's planning on going the stealthy smuggler route with her.
High Output Turbine
ECM Suite
Nightwraith Coating
Cloaked Smuggling Compartment
Twin Medium Lasers in a turret
With the Tricky Target talent and this set up I can get to Silhouette 0.
I might put an Astromech in there, but I wouldn’t necessarily put in an Astromech socket.
What’s the reason for the socket, and spending the Hard Point?
That's an excellent question - what benefit is there to an astromech socket over just having the little guy on the crew? There are obvious benefits like being in a secure, stable position of course.
I see this has been answered above. Don't mind me, I'll just sip my coffee and wake up.
Edited by themenschMy Ace Pilot character just got his stolen HWK-290 back and he's planning on going the stealthy smuggler route with her.
High Output Turbine
ECM Suite
Nightwraith Coating
Cloaked Smuggling Compartment
Twin Medium Lasers in a turret
With the Tricky Target talent and this set up I can get to Silhouette 0.
I’m not sure I’d go with the Nightwraith Coating. Speaking only for myself, I’d want something that didn’t look too obvious just sitting there on the tarmac, but really has it under the hood where it counts — Like the Millennium Falcon.
So, all sorts of internal upgrades, etc… but from the outside it looks like most any other ship of that same type. Of course, a few visible weapons would also be okay.
So help me out, where's this Nightwraith coating? Is it the same as Nightshadow coating in FC?
So help me out, where's this Nightwraith coating? Is it the same as Nightshadow coating in FC?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s what he meant. That’s certainly what I was thinking.
So help me out, where's this Nightwraith coating? Is it the same as Nightshadow coating in FC?
Yeah same thing with a cooler name IMO. 
I’m not sure I’d go with the Nightwraith Coating. Speaking only for myself, I’d want something that didn’t look too obvious just sitting there on the tarmac, but really has it under the hood where it counts — Like the Millennium Falcon.So, all sorts of internal upgrades, etc… but from the outside it looks like most any other ship of that same type. Of course, a few visible weapons would also be okay.My Ace Pilot character just got his stolen HWK-290 back and he's planning on going the stealthy smuggler route with her. High Output TurbineECM SuiteNightwraith CoatingCloaked Smuggling CompartmentTwin Medium Lasers in a turret With the Tricky Target talent and this set up I can get to Silhouette 0.
That's a good point actually that I hadn't considered. Imps might take a dim view of something that obvious. So, out with the Nightshadow Coating, in with the Onboard Amenities Unit.
My Ace Pilot character just got his stolen HWK-290 back and he's planning on going the stealthy smuggler route with her.
High Output Turbine
ECM Suite
Nightwraith Coating
Cloaked Smuggling Compartment
Twin Medium Lasers in a turret
With the Tricky Target talent and this set up I can get to Silhouette 0.
Our group went the other way and turned it into a gunship.
3 Quad Medium Lasers (front, port and starboard turrets)
Twin Linked Torpedo Launcher (front)
Advanced Targeting Array (with ture aim and sniper shot mods)
Punches well above its weight.
Our group went the other way and turned it into a gunship.
3 Quad Medium Lasers (front, port and starboard turrets)
Twin Linked Torpedo Launcher (front)
Advanced Targeting Array (with ture aim and sniper shot mods)
Punches well above its weight.
I’d have to check, but I think that the only quad lasers you can get that take only one HP are the quad light laser turrets, as was mounted on the Millennium Falcon. I think that quad medium laser turrets should take 4HP each (one for each laser cannon).
And even those can’t be mounted on a ship smaller than Sil 4, unless you use the Oversized External Mount from Dangerous Covenants, which requires 2HP just for it alone.
Our group went the other way and turned it into a gunship.
3 Quad Medium Lasers (front, port and starboard turrets)
Twin Linked Torpedo Launcher (front)
Advanced Targeting Array (with ture aim and sniper shot mods)
Punches well above its weight.
I’d have to check, but I think that the only quad lasers you can get that take only one HP are the quad light laser turrets, as was mounted on the Millennium Falcon. I think that quad medium laser turrets should take 4HP each (one for each laser cannon).
And even those can’t be mounted on a ship smaller than Sil 4, unless you use the Oversized External Mount from Dangerous Covenants, which requires 2HP just for it alone.
He's not using the quad laser that's mounted on the Falcon. He's using 4 Medium Lasers, which do fit on Sil 3 ships, per mount. Each mount takes just one HP and the number of weapons doesn't increase the HP usage....you could have 20 Medium Lasers on a single mount and it would still cost just 1 HP for the mount.
^this
1HP per linked weapon system.
Medium Lasers fit on sil 3. 1 Medium laser "item" with linked 3 makes it a quad.
The single weapon system "Quad Laser" is sil 4+ it also has the Accurate quality.
Page 271, Upgraded weapons, last sentence in the Hard Points Required section: Weapon systems combining 2 or more weapons always cost 1 HP, even if replacing an existing wepon system.
Installing a new turret with 2-4 laser cannons costs you only 1 HP, upgrading a turret from 1 to 2-4 laser cannons costs 1 HP. Better planing costs less HP.
Sorry for quoting directly from the book.
Sorry for quoting directly from the book.
Why?
That seems like the sensible thing to do when arguing rule disputes.
What book is the HWK-290 in??
New Horizons, the Colonist sourcebook.
Thanks.
New Horizons, the Colonist sourcebook.
It's also in the F&D Beta CRB.
Page 271, Upgraded weapons, last sentence in the Hard Points Required section: Weapon systems combining 2 or more weapons always cost 1 HP, even if replacing an existing wepon system.
Installing a new turret with 2-4 laser cannons costs you only 1 HP, upgrading a turret from 1 to 2-4 laser cannons costs 1 HP. Better planing costs less HP.
Sorry for quoting directly from the book.
Don’t apologize for doing the right thing. Your quote forced me to go back to the book and carefully read all the related material, at which point I finally realized that you are right.
It’s cheesy and kinda munchkin-ish, but you’re right. 
Sorry for quoting directly from the book.
Why?
That seems like the sensible thing to do when arguing rule disputes.
I wouldn’t have leapt to the phrase “dispute” so early in this process. If we were both adamantly sticking to our guns regardless of what the rules said, then that could elevate to the level of dispute or even argument.
But at that stage, I think I would have used the term “mis-understandings”.
I still want to know how to put 20 laser cannons on a turret in a single hardpoint.
It's easy and legal, but it's also a huge waste of money (Linked 19 is rarely better than Linked 3 in actual use) and likely to get you some dirty looks from your GM.
I still want to know how to put 20 laser cannons on a turret in a single hardpoint.
Is there a limit to the number of linked weapons you can have? I want the "Hexa-Gun" (or Octo-Gun) to be a thing. 