For a strong starting answer, use Scoundrel Hawks as an assist-and-critical setup engine. Fearless Leader improves assist damage for the whole squad, while Scoundrel creates assist windows and guaranteed critical-hit openings.

Hawks can change class and later add another Specialization, so use the starting build to cover the job your squad needs now rather than chasing one permanent meta answer.

Eight-class decision table

What the squad lacks	Hawks class	Weapon direction	Key reason
Assist and critical setup	Scoundrel	Rifle or Pistol	Easy Mark enables an assist; Identify Weakness guarantees the next damaging critical
Advantage and Spotted support	Scout	Pistol	Combat Recon generates Advantage; blaster damage applies Spotted; Pistol shots cost 1 AP
Mobile pressure	Assault	Rifle or Pistol	Bull Rush displaces; Sweeping Salvo damages and Disorients a cone
Multi-attack tempo	Gunslinger	Pistol or Repeater	Quick Draw can refund 1 AP on an elimination; Open Fire attacks twice
Threat control	Heavy	Repeater	Bulwark area-Taunts; Unstoppable grants two Retaliations
Recovery and buffs	Medic	Rifle or Pistol	Combat Stim buffs an ally; Morale Boost restores Health over turns
Long-lane accuracy	Sharpshooter	Longarm	Precision Shot always hits; Zero In improves hit and critical chance if position holds
Direct explosive plan	Soldier	Rifle	Rocket Strike supplies area damage; Brutal Strike Dazes once per enemy per battle

Open the Hawks Build Planner to switch between all eight directions and campaign-risk settings.

Build A — Scoundrel Hawks

Turn job: create the reliable follow-up; do not force Hawks to be the finisher.

1. Pick the enemy that must die this turn.
2. Use Identify Weakness to apply Vulnerable.
3. Follow with the squad’s hardest appropriate attack.
4. Use Easy Mark when an assist converts another ally’s action into free damage.
5. Let Fearless Leader improve the assist engine while Hawks remains present.

Why it fits: Never Play Fair improves Scoundrel assist damage, Scoundrel’s Instinct adds Defense Penetration, and Fearless Leader improves assist damage across the squad.

Weapon: start with Rifle for a flexible 1 AP opening shot and medium range, or Pistol when several low-cost actions matter more than one hit. Do not choose Longarm only because it has the largest critical bonus; 2 AP shots can make the setup turn awkward.

Build B — Scout Hawks

Scout is a tactical alternative when the squad needs Advantage and hit reliability more than another damage class.

• Combat Recon grants Advantage for each detected enemy.
• The Spotter makes blaster-damaged enemies ignore normal range and smoke hit penalties.
• Ambush converts more spent Advantage into more damage.
• A Blaster Pistol can fire up to three 1 AP shots in a normal 3 AP turn, giving more opportunities to apply Spotted.

Scout is not automatically best early. Its value rises when hit penalties, smoke, or expensive squad actions actually create a bottleneck.

Focus order

Use a needs-based order:

1. the active ability that defines the build;
2. the passive that makes the squad interaction work;
3. reliability or survival needed by the current difficulty;
4. conditional burst only after the loop is dependable.

Exact Focus Tree node names, percentages, ranges, and point costs are not listed here yet. Plan the job first, then check the current in-game tree before committing the last points.

Weapon breakpoints

Weapon	Damage	Crit bonus	Range	AP pattern	Hawks use
Blaster Pistol	6	+4	Short	1 AP per shot	More actions for Scout or mobile turns
Blaster Rifle	10	+6	Medium	First shot 1 AP; later shots 2 AP	Safe generalist opener
Repeater	8	+4	Medium	Damage scales with AP committed	Dedicated stationary damage turn
Longarm Blaster	12	+12	Long	2 AP per shot	Long-lane precision role