The Star Wars Zero Company best character builds give every Operator a clear job instead of chasing one universal tier list. Hawks should fill the gap left by the chosen companions, Cly controls groups with Electroweb, Jae finishes exposed targets at range, Kabb breaks a front line, Luco controls space, Tel-Rea displaces enemies, and Trick protects the team. The recommendations below are practical build paths drawn from official class rules and tested post-launch guides, not developer-prescribed loadouts.
How to use these builds
Specialization, weapon class, talent, equipment, and Focus upgrades are separate decisions. Authored Operators keep defining talents, while standard roles can be changed after respecs open and most Operators later add a second Specialization. Build the ability that establishes a character's job first, then add secondary damage or defense after that job works reliably.
Mission type still overrides a static build. A rescue rewards mobility, a holdout rewards control and Overwatch, and an assassination rewards concentrated damage. Treat every recommendation as a strong baseline, then adjust Utilities and the fourth squad slot for the objective, injuries, and available Bonds.
Best Hawks build
Hawks is mandatory for story missions and has the fixed Fearless Leader talent, which rewards assists. A Scoundrel start makes that identity easy to exploit because setup and assist play feed the squad, while Gunslinger is a strong alternative when the roster needs direct ranged output. New players who want a simpler turn can follow EA's official Soldier or Assault recommendation with a blaster rifle.
Do not duplicate a companion's role without a reason. If Kabb is already the close-range initiator and Trick is the durable anchor, Hawks can add Scoundrel setup, Medic support, or Sharpshooter reach. If companions are injured, a flexible Soldier build is easier to move between lineups than a narrow critical-hit package.
Best Cly build
Cly's strongest identity is ranged control through her Mandalorian tools. Prioritize Electroweb Dart upgrades for range and improved Advantage efficiency, then build toward Electroweb Surge when repeated control matters. A pistol supports her mobile positioning, while an ergonomic stabilizer and defensive gear help her reach a safe angle without wasting the turn.
Repulsor equipment and concussion grenades reinforce the same job by moving or disabling enemies. The build is especially valuable when another Operator has Overwatch ready, because forced movement can turn control into immediate damage. Cly does not need to top the damage chart when she is denying dangerous actions and arranging targets for the rest of the squad.
Best Jae build
Jae works best as a long-range finisher. Sharpshooter supplies the cleanest primary plan, with Final Shot and Zero In supporting decisive attacks, while Scout is a useful secondary direction for Combat Recon and Ambush. A longarm with critical-chance scope and barrel upgrades makes the role more consistent instead of relying on lucky bursts.
Use another Operator to expose, mark, displace, or strip protection before Jae shoots. She loses value when forced to spend most of a turn relocating, so deploy her where elevation and sightlines already serve the objective. On compact maps, bring more mobile support or consider a different companion rather than forcing a sniper into every mission.
Best Kabb build
Kabb is the squad's aggressive front-line choice. Assault supports his mobility and Uppercut pressure, while Soldier adds broad offense and Sweeping Salvo for crowded fights. Prioritize the abilities that let him enter, disrupt, and survive a contested space before buying small damage increases that do not change his access to targets.
Close-range blaster improvements, repulsor tools, and protective underlays fit that plan. A scattergun can be useful when the map repeatedly delivers clustered enemies, but it should not replace a reliable default weapon for mixed ranges. Pair Kabb with healing, control, or a durable second body so he is not the only Operator absorbing every dangerous angle.
Best Luco build
Luco combines precision with area denial. Sharpshooter keeps his longarm pressure reliable, while Gunslinger adds flexible ranged output and Scoundrel offers more setup for allies. Combat Gas is the defining investment when the mission requires controlling a route, so upgrade it before scattering points across unrelated passives.
Zero In and Keen Eye improve his finishing role after the control package is functional. Critical longarm modifications suit open maps, but his gas is often more important than one extra damage roll. Place the effect where enemies must move for an objective, not simply where the largest group happens to stand at the start of a turn.
Best Tel-Rea build
Tel-Rea should be built around Force Push and Force Pull because displacement solves problems ordinary damage cannot. Prioritize Force Push, then Pull and Padawan Training, while using defensive meditations to keep her safe enough to operate near contested ground. Her dual lightsabers provide close threat, but the Force toolkit is what makes the build distinct.
Look for ledges, explosive objects, exposed flanks, and prepared Overwatch zones before spending the ability. Pulling an enemy out of cover can create a better shot for Jae or Luco, while pushing one away can protect an injured ally. She is strongest in a squad that can immediately capitalize on the new position.
Best Trick build
Trick is a defensive anchor who becomes more valuable when the rest of the squad needs time to set up. Prioritize For My Brothers, then Bulwark, Combat Recon, and Conditioning to combine protection with useful team information. Heavy plus Scout supports that job, while the unique weapon earned through personal missions improves his long-term equipment path.
Protective underlays are a natural fit, and medpacks or grenades let him contribute when a defensive turn does not require every action. Keep him close enough to draw pressure without blocking the firing lanes of ranged companions. Trick is particularly useful in Beskar or permadeath campaigns because preventing a down is worth more than repairing one later.
Build a squad around jobs, not ranks
A dependable team covers initiation, reliable damage, control or support, and recovery from a bad turn. Hawks plus Trick, Jae, and Cly is a safe ranged-control lineup; Hawks plus Kabb, Tel-Rea, and a support-oriented Operator favors aggressive displacement. See the best squad composition guide for full lineups and mission swaps.
The best build is also one the campaign can sustain. Injuries may remove a key Operator for a Cycle, equipment may favor a different weapon, and a personal mission can unlock a better option later. Maintain at least one substitute for each essential job rather than spending every resource on four characters who must always deploy together.