This HWK-290 pilot may have a new lease on life. Check out this latest build featuring the elusive Dace Bonearm for Star Wars X-wing
Dace Bonearm is a PS 7 HWK-290 pilot that favors Ion attacks over straight up damage to vanquish his foes. When an enemy at Range 1-3 receives at least 1 ion token, if Dace is not stressed, he may receive 1 stress token to cause that ship to suffer 1 damage. This is a great way to get extra damage through while you are controlling your enemies movements with Ion.
The Ion Cannon Turret is an auto include on Dace Bonearm as it acts as his primary damage dealing device. Being able to fire in a 360 degree arc can help out with the sluggish maneuver dial of the HWK-290. Once you Ion an enemy, use Dace’s ability to give them another damage, at the cost of a stress token. 
All of that stress can pile up, and since Dace cannot use his ability if he is already stressed, you will be performing a lot of green maneuvers. Get your greens to work for you by having a K-4 Security Droid aboard your HWK. After you execute a green maneuver, you may acquire a target lock. This can help you dice stay on target and give you a free action each turn. 
To get really nuts with Dace Bonearm’s ability, utilize an illicit EMP Device. During the combat phase, instead of attacking, you may discard your EMP Device to assign 2 ion tokens at each ship at range 1. This can work wonders if you are in the thick of the fighting and can really make your enemy squadron vulnerable. Just be careful since this will Ion Dace Bonearm as well.
To make sure that Dace can line up his shots at the right time, consider using Adaptability to manipulate his pilot skill. Being at PS 7 is great but going up by 1 can boost him to 8 which will make him able to see that battlefield as it develops before he makes his move.
The HWK may not look like much, but it can pack a serious punch if you equip it just right!
More Star Wars Tactics
About the Author: Barclay Montgomery
