Quick answer
Do not pick a class because a tier list calls it the only best option. Based on EA's confirmed Specializations, Soldier with Blaster Rifle is the safest beginner recommendation, Assault with Blaster Rifle is the strongest simple mobility recommendation, Medic is the safest support recommendation, and Sharpshooter is the clearest long-range recommendation. Read the classes page first if you need the full roster, then use the builds guide when you are ready to pair class, weapon, and squad role.
Best Class for Hawks
The best specialization for Hawks depends on the role you want the story-required leader to fill. Soldier is the safest recommended class for Hawks on a first run, Assault is the best aggressive starter, Medic is viable if you want Hawks to protect the squad, Scout is useful for setup-minded players, and Gunslinger works when the rest of the squad can cover recovery and positioning.
- Pick Soldier if you want the most forgiving Hawks build.
- Pick Assault if your Hawks should push angles and stay mobile.
- Pick Medic if you want story missions to have built-in recovery.
- Pick Scout if you prefer setup and safer information before committing.
- Pick Gunslinger only when the squad can protect an aggressive damage plan.
| Hawks class | Best for | Main caution |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier | Safest first Hawks class and easiest all-round recommendation | Less specialized than pure damage, support, or long-range picks. |
| Assault | Mobile frontline pressure and better attack angles | Can overextend if you move Hawks too far ahead of support. |
| Medic | Players who want Hawks to keep Operators alive | Lower direct damage tempo unless the squad covers offense elsewhere. |
| Scout | Information, setup, and careful mission control | Needs teammates ready to capitalize on the setup. |
| Gunslinger | Fast damage tempo and aggressive turns | Needs protection, recovery, and clean positioning to avoid risky trades. |
| Sharpshooter | Protected long-range Hawks builds | Can struggle when mission layout denies clean sightlines. |
Best starting class
Choose Soldier if you want an all-rounder, Assault if you want mobility, and Medic if your first priority is keeping Operators alive. Gunslinger, Sharpshooter, Heavy, Scout, and Scoundrel are all valid, but they ask a newer player to pay closer attention to kill timing, sightlines, protection, Advantage setup, or opportunistic support.
Best class by playstyle
Pick Assault for mobile frontline pressure, Gunslinger for fast multi-target blaster turns, Heavy for a durable anchor, Medic for healing and emergency recovery, Scoundrel for opportunistic assists, Scout for spotting and setup, Sharpshooter for long-range overwatch, and Soldier for general close-to-mid-range combat. That list is a role map, not a power ranking.
Class tier list caution
A real class tier list needs stable live-game data: enemy tables, mission layouts, weapon breakpoints, upgrade timing, and difficulty pressure. Until those numbers are verified, use a soft ranking instead: Soldier and Assault are the safest starters, Medic is the safest support, Sharpshooter is the cleanest range pick, and the other classes are situational strengths rather than bad choices.
Best weapon pairing logic
EA's official starter examples pair Soldier and Assault with Blaster Rifle because it is the balanced starting weapon. Repeater is attractive for high damage but costs more Action Points, Blaster Pistol supports mobile one-Action-Point attacks, and Longarm Blaster supports long-range accuracy. Treat weapon choice as a second decision after Specialization, not as proof that one class is always best.
Best squad logic
The official Q&A says squads can include up to four Operators in normal missions, while Hawks is required for story missions. A balanced beginner squad should cover direct damage, recovery, range or overwatch, and setup or control. It is possible to lean into theme squads, including multiple snipers, but official comments warn that visibility and target access can make very narrow squads less efficient.
Best support pick
Medic is the clean support answer because EA confirms healing and recovery tools in the kit, and the injury system makes support more valuable when Permadeath is enabled. Scout and Scoundrel can also support the squad by setting up information, Advantage, vulnerable targets, and assist windows, but they should not replace Medic in a beginner recommendation unless the player wants a more tactical support style.
Best damage pick
Gunslinger is the cleanest confirmed damage-tempo pick, Heavy offers durable pressure, Soldier gives reliable all-round damage, and Sharpshooter handles long-range precision. The best damage class will depend on map visibility, enemy placement, Action Point economy, and the rest of the squad; public official sources do not provide enough numbers to rank raw damage per turn.
Secret class searches
Do not choose a class because you expect a hidden Jedi, exotic, or secret class path. The official Q&A identifies Tel-Rea as the only Jedi Padawan class Operator and says she is not recruitable as a Custom Operator. Until in-game evidence proves otherwise, Jedi and Mandalorian questions belong as caveats on the classes and character-creation pages, not as best-class recommendations.
What can change later
Official Steam news says the Personnel Facility can change most Operators' Specializations at any time, but Authored Operators and special story roles may have limits. This makes early class choice less punishing for Custom Operators, while Hawks still deserves extra care because the player uses Hawks in story missions.
What not to rank yet
Do not publish a hard S-tier list yet. Public sources do not confirm damage formulas, enemy tables, mission-by-mission class requirements, upgrade breakpoints, or difficulty-specific performance. This page should stay a decision guide until live data can support true rankings.