How to make the HWK-290 work?

By dbldbl, in X-Wing Squad Lists

Just got into X-Wing. Some of the ships are pretty straight forward, but I having trouble getting value out of this guy. The pilots are all support, but when I start loading them up, it just seems like there is always a better option for points. I've been looking at Scum lists and I haven't seen one in yet, just B's, Headhunters and Boba.

Any advice?

Palob is a beast by himself with any supplemental ships.

Palob is a beast by himself with any supplemental ships.

Palob is a beast, the problem is his ship is very point hungry. You just keep looking at it and thinking of all the fun little doo dads you could put on it, until you realize the entire thing only has 5HP.

First tip: fly Scum. Their HWK pilots are deadlier, and it's a lot more straightforward to get value out of them. Definitely check out SableGryphon's post here, which is an exhaustive analysis of each of the scum HWKs and their strengths, along with some list suggestions. That first list, "A Murder of Crows," is one that he just took to a 2nd place finish at a 115-person regional tournament (Bowser linked the report above).

I don't have that kind of pedigree, but here's a list which I've found pretty effective:

Guri (30)
Predator (3)
Autothrusters (2)

Palob Godalhi (20)
Blaster Turret (4)
Recon Specialist (3)
Moldy Crow (3)

Mandalorian Mercenary (35)

Total: 100

View in Yet Another Squad Builder

Guri is great at staying at close range, and can put out a consistent offense even when she's blocked. Palob helps both offensively and defensively by stripping a token off of a key enemy, while also dealing some damage himself. And the Mercenary adds some bulk to the squad, in terms of both hit points and board space.

As for the rebel HWKs, they're a little bit tougher to make work. Roark can be pretty effective in a squad with efficient, heavy-hitting generics like Blues, and Jan still makes appearances alongside big guns like Keyan or Dash + HLC to make for some pretty frightening attack rolls. Kyle's a bit harder to recommend, unfortunately. One big problem with the rebel HWKs at the moment is that they a) require a turret, and b) want to support from long range and stay out of the line of fire as much as possible. Since all of the turrets we have max out at range 2, that makes it difficult to maximise their effectiveness. I think that the Twin Laser Turret that comes with the K-wing will be a big boon for rebel HWKs, since it'll let them stay at range 3 and still get turret shots.

MUX! That sob will drop a pilot to PS-0. He can be so obnoxious it isn't funny. There's a recent thread where Mux and Palob were used together in a squad. The player did quite well in competition. Sorry I don't remeber the thread.

Edit: Do a search for Brohawks. You'll find his build and regional results.

Edited by Stoneface

Palob is a beast by himself with any supplemental ships.

A nasty 35 point ship, but you want other threats in your list to hammer them while he goes down.

MUX! That sob will drop a pilot to PS-0. He can be so obnoxious it isn't funny. There's a recent thread where Mux and Palob were used together in a squad. The player did quite well in competition. Sorry I don't remeber the thread.

The player actually used all 3 named HWKs in his list, and dominated. Mux and Dace had Ion Turrets, while Palob used a Blaster with Recon Specialist and the Title. I forget the remaining 18 points.

Torkil Mux has been adopted by SableGryphon in two extremely effective ways:

One was to use him in a Feedback Array swarm in which all of your pilots were PS 3 (thereby ensuring that your victim always died before getting to attack).

The other is to pair him with lots of Predators, as yes, that works, and it's nasty. To a less effective extent, he also synergizes with Flight Instructor.

Edited by DraconPyrothayan

MUX! That sob will drop a pilot to PS-0. He can be so obnoxious it isn't funny. There's a recent thread where Mux and Palob were used together in a squad. The player did quite well in competition. Sorry I don't remeber the thread.

The player actually used all 3 named HWKs in his list.

Torkil Mux has been adopted by SableGryphon in two extremely effective ways:

One was to use him in a Feedback Array swarm in which all of your pilots were PS 3 (thereby ensuring that your victim always died before getting to attack).

The other is to pair him with lots of Predators, as yes, that works, and it's nasty. To a less effective extent, he also synergizes with Flight Instructor.

MUX! That sob will drop a pilot to PS-0. He can be so obnoxious it isn't funny. There's a recent thread where Mux and Palob were used together in a squad. The player did quite well in competition. Sorry I don't remeber the thread.

The player actually used all 3 named HWKs in his list.

Torkil Mux has been adopted by SableGryphon in two extremely effective ways:

One was to use him in a Feedback Array swarm in which all of your pilots were PS 3 (thereby ensuring that your victim always died before getting to attack).

The other is to pair him with lots of Predators, as yes, that works, and it's nasty. To a less effective extent, he also synergizes with Flight Instructor.

My friend likes to fly Scum with Mux. Mux is such a PITA I will go out of my way to insure he dies a fiery death. Earlier the better. I developed a healthy respect for a Scum build with Mux and Ion cannons. Not necessarily mounted on Mux but available. You only need one high PS ship to get vaped or run off the board to appreciate The Mux.

I hear you brave young dbldbl, you are hungry for the HWK, but to learn the ancient methods sacred doors you must unlock

Escape the metas clutches in this oppressive neighborhood, on a journey you must go to find the land of FLGS-woooooood

In the store of many gamers, where you hear your fellow players laugh, you will form a strong alliance and the worlds most awesome squad To find your fame and fortune through the valley you must walk, you will face your inner demons, now go my son and HWWWWWWWK!

But seriously, Palob is your man.

Turret (x points)
Recon Specialist (3)
Moldy Crow (3)

is the basic set up either ion turret or blaster turret depending on your needs and points