Armada - A Good Starhawk Build?

I think I may have found a Starhawk Build that I don't hate!
Don't forget to use code CRABBOKVIP to save 15% on exquisite tokens!

[garrett]

I love the ideas around the tractor beam...

[spartnmarcen]

Always fascinating to watch these videos.

[cameronseverin]

Interesting Build I hope we get to see a Batrep of it soon!

[alexgloor]

Fascinating build, particularly with the synergy between the tractor beam and QBTs. Would be keen to hear your thoughts on MotF's uber tank build

[Judgewrath]

I do love the Hawk, so I'm glad you found a good build for it.

[flaviobertholdo]

Well, that is a very different build. Another use for the superweapon is to increase an enemy ship speed to bump on your Starhawk to trigger your cards as well. But for your list to work, I think you can't wait much to deploy your MC-80, you will need to drop it fast so you can have as many turns as possible shoting with both ships. Your Starhawk unfortunately is not tanky (cuz of no double Brace and Redirect and other damage reduce cards) and it won't survive for long time alone. One of the GR-75 should have Reapair Crews. Althought I liked the offensive power you brought on both ships, but I am worryed about how long the Starhawk can survive if you don't drop MC-80 fast, so it feels risky.

[joshclouse]

I like the speed zero shenanigans when I’m actually able to pull it off.

[josephmoberly]

I’ve always found Lando to be a bit risky, but I guess so are defense tokens with all the ways to get past those. Nice build!

[nicholaskallmyer]

I don't think you were unjustified in saying that you don't like the Starhawk, not having a defensive retrofit is a bit of a hamstring. But, the beauty of this game is that there is always a workaround, which I think is shown pretty well here. Cool to see the brute of the fleet carrying Raddus vs being the ship dropped in

[Hokum_Paints]

I'd like to try a Starhawk, the model looks awesome.

[darrienarnold-cowley]

Glad to see I might actually be able to use the Starhawk now lol !!

[brettwiemken]

Crabbok, if FFG came out with more rebel/empire waves for armada, what ships would you like to see?

[Warrickomega]

Barring something wrong, going to try it this week!

[asinglegreatarmada]

That Liberty build is good for melting one small support ship and then taking a chunk out of an ISD.:)

[reavern]

After logging some time with the Starhawk, I discovered its lack of a Defensive Retrofit isn't a problem if you put Agate (Commander) on the ship. 2 Braces are almost as good as ECM with one Brace because you could potentially use Brace twice in a round without having to discard one.

I have to disagree about putting HIE on the Starhawk Mk1 because IME that version needs its two blue dice for ACCURACY's, not blue crits. I battled two opponents who both equipped HIE on their Starhawks (one was a Mk2) and I recall they only used HIE once (and it was the Mk2) because once the SH gets into close-medium range, it's more important to block Brace and Redirects to get all that damage through than to use HIE to reduce extra shields.

Rather than equip Leading Shots, which would force you to discard a blue die for rerolls, I'd equip High-Capacity Ion Turbines, because it's relatively easy to double arc with the Starhawk, so you can use the extra blue die on the sides to shoot targets in front. You can use HCIT in your build because you don't have another Modification.

Although, I have to say that I think it's unfair that the Starhawk's MCTBA isn't a Mod, whereas the Onager's Superweapons are Mods, which means the OSD can't equip the more powerful Turbolaser upgrade cards, like Spinal Armament. Considering that the Phylon Q7 Tractor Beam IS a Mod, I can't imagine why the MCTBA isn't a Mod. That's a big advantage for the Starhawk.

If you insist on using HIE, I'd recommend H9 Turbolasers over LTT, to turn a red hit or crit into an accuracy, so blue accuracy's
aren't as important.

Also, the combination of Intel Officer on the SH and Overload Pulse on the Liberty seems unnecessary IMO because an enemy ship will have to discard its OP'd defense tokens to use them, so what's the point of IO? It's only useful if your second attack is against a different ship -- like a flotilla (I agree IO is perfect for countering Scatter) -- but the Liberty has Gunnery Team and, as you said, Overload Pulse doesn't exhaust, so the Liberty can shoot 2 enemy ships with OP per round, decreasing the need for Intel Officer.

I'd take Agate (Officer) over IO, or Walex Blissex, or even Strategic Advisor. Or forget the SH's second officer slot and put Toryn Far on Bright Hope to give your shooting ships a blue reroll.

[Harding]

The hardest part about a Starhawk is going to be that maximum speed 2 for me. Going to be really tough against Onagers deployed across the board that just sit and shoot.

[LunarOutlawsGarage]

Lol this is my build lol, the one I pointed out right after you upload the video 😂

[deviljon]

Overload Pulse does have more appeal now that we have 6 token monstrosities out there. If you double arc that gunnery team isn't doing much though.

I would also say that if you're planning for the starhawk to get shot up maybe trim stuff down and get the mark 2 and unity with an expert shield tech instead of Lando.

[joshharmon]

I like how you have thought outside the box on this one to pull a workable build for, to my thinking, a limited use ship. I think the question is going to be does it play well or do opponents consistently go after the Starhawk hard in the beginning?

[eoinobryan]

It looked like a tank but it's still tricky play and takes a subtle approach like most rebel ships, still a cool great ship