Best Heavy Class Ships in Star Wars Galactic Racer: Complete Tier List and Combat Builds
Heavy class ships in Star Wars Galactic Racer are the battering rams of the racing circuit. They may not win any straight-line speed contests, but when the weapons start firing and the hazards start closing in, no other class comes close to Heavy's survivability and raw combat power. Whether you are grinding through Hazard Run survival challenges or dominating Squadron Clash team fights, the right Heavy ship with the right build makes you an unstoppable force. This guide ranks every Heavy class vehicle, provides in-depth build strategies, and shows you how to maximize your impact in every game mode.
Heavy Class Tier List Overview
Here is the complete Heavy class tier list, ranked by overall performance across all modes:
| Tier | Ship | Armor | Shield | Combat Power | Handling | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Millennium Falcon | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | A+ |
| S | Y-Wing | 10 | 8 | 9 | 4 | A+ |
| A | TIE Bomber | 9 | 8 | 10 | 3 | A |
| A | ARC-170 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 5 | A |
| B | Lambda Shuttle | 9 | 9 | 6 | 4 | B+ |
| B | U-Wing | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | B+ |
| C | Republic Gunship | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | C+ |
| C | Firespray | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 | C+ |
The S-tier Heavy ships separate themselves from the pack through either exceptional versatility (Millennium Falcon) or unmatched combat specialization (Y-Wing). Let us break down each top contender.
Millennium Falcon: The Legendary Heavy Ship
The Millennium Falcon is not just the best Heavy ship in Star Wars Galactic Racer — it is arguably the most versatile ship in the entire game. Its shield stat of 10 is the highest of any vehicle in any class, and its combat power of 8 means it can dish out damage as effectively as it absorbs it. The Falcon's surprising handling stat of 5 makes it the most agile Heavy ship, capable of navigating technical sections that trap other heavy vehicles.
Core Stats
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 4 | 6 |
| Acceleration | 3 | 5 |
| Handling | 5 | 7 |
| Armor | 9 | 11 |
| Shield | 10 | 12 |
| Combat Power | 8 | 10 |
| Weapon Slots | 4 | 5 |
| Special Ability | Evasive Maneuvers | — |
The Falcon's "Evasive Maneuvers" special ability is a game-changer. When activated, the ship performs a barrel roll that dodges incoming projectiles and hazards for 1.5 seconds. This ability has a 15-second cooldown and can be the difference between surviving a turbo laser barrage on the Death Star or respawning at the back of the pack.
Millennium Falcon Combat Build
The Millennium Falcon excels when built as a tank with teeth. Your goal is to maximize shield sustainability and weapon damage so you can brawl at the front of the pack.
Upgrade Priority:
- Shield (Ship Components, 5 levels) — The Falcon's shield is its identity; max it first
- Combat Power (Credits, 4 levels) — Hit harder in every engagement
- Armor (Ship Components, 4 levels) — Backup protection when shields fail
- Handling (Ship Components, 3 levels) — The Falcon's surprising agility is worth investing in
- Weapon Capacity (Credits, 3 levels) — Carry more ordnance per race
- Acceleration (Ship Components, 2 levels) — Minimal investment, just enough to avoid being left behind
Total Investment: Approximately 5,000 Ship Components and 15,000 Credits
The Millennium Falcon's build is expensive — it is the costliest Heavy ship to fully upgrade. But the investment pays off across every mode. In Grand Prix, the Falcon's shields survive the chaos of packed grids. In Squadron Clash, its combat power and durability make it the backbone of any team. In Hazard Run, it simply refuses to die.
Best Trait Combos for the Millennium Falcon
- Master Mechanic + Survivor — The endurance combo. Master Mechanic speeds up pit stop shield regeneration, and Survivor triggers emergency armor when shields fail. Together, they make the Falcon nearly impossible to eliminate.
- Scrapper + Survivor — The resource-generating tank. Scrapper earns bonus Credits and Ship Components from combat damage dealt, while Survivor keeps you alive to keep scrapping. This is the grind build.
- Master Mechanic + Tactician — Pit stop optimization plus shortcut awareness. This combo is ideal for Grand Prix where you need to manage shield levels over multiple laps while finding efficient routes.
- Force Sensitivity + Survivor — Dodge chance plus emergency armor creates layered defense. The Force Sensitivity dodge helps you avoid hits entirely, while Survivor catches anything that gets through.
For detailed Master Mechanic strategies that pair perfectly with the Falcon, read our Master Mechanic trait guide.
Best Tracks for the Millennium Falcon
The Falcon performs best on tracks where combat and hazards are prevalent:
- Death Star — Turbo lasers tear through lighter ships, but the Falcon's shields absorb them. The Evasive Maneuvers ability is perfectly suited for the trench run.
- Mustafar — Lava hazards damage ships constantly; the Falcon's shield regen and armor outlast the environment.
- Coruscant — Traffic provides ramming opportunities, and the Falcon's mass sends smaller ships flying.
- Hoth — Asteroid fields and ice hazards punish fragile ships; the Falcon pushes through.
The Falcon struggles on Kessel and Bespin, where pure speed determines the winner and combat opportunities are limited.
Y-Wing: The Ultimate Combat Ship
If the Millennium Falcon is the versatile Heavy ship, the Y-Wing is the specialized combat monster. Its combat power of 10 is the highest in the Heavy class, and its armor of 10 matches the top of the class. The Y-Wing trades the Falcon's shield advantage and handling for sheer destructive capability.
Core Stats
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 3 | 5 |
| Acceleration | 3 | 5 |
| Handling | 4 | 6 |
| Armor | 10 | 12 |
| Shield | 8 | 10 |
| Combat Power | 10 | 12 |
| Weapon Slots | 5 | 6 |
| Special Ability | Ion Bomb | — |
The Y-Wing's "Ion Bomb" special ability deploys an area-of-effect electromagnetic pulse that disables all ships within a 20-meter radius for 2 seconds. This devastating crowd-control tool makes the Y-Wing the most feared ship in Squadron Clash team fights. A well-timed Ion Bomb can freeze an entire enemy squadron, letting your teammates blow past them for position.
Y-Wing Combat Build Guide
The Y-Wing should be built for maximum combat dominance:
Upgrade Priority:
- Combat Power (Credits, 5 levels) — Your primary contribution to any team is damage
- Weapon Capacity (Credits, 5 levels) — Carry more bombs, missiles, and mines
- Armor (Ship Components, 4 levels) — Stay alive to keep dealing damage
- Shield (Ship Components, 4 levels) — Layered defense
- Ion Bomb Radius (Ship Components, 3 levels) — Increase the area of effect
- Handling (Ship Components, 2 levels) — Minimal, just enough to navigate
Total Investment: Approximately 4,800 Ship Components and 14,000 Credits
Best Trait Combos for the Y-Wing
- Scrapper + Master Mechanic — The infinite combat loop. Scrapper generates resources from your combat damage, while Master Mechanic keeps your shields regenerating during pit stops. You fight, you heal, you fight again.
- Tactician + Scrapper — Map knowledge plus resource generation. Tactician reveals shortcuts so you can position for ambushes, while Scrapper profits from the resulting combat.
- Survivor + Force Sensitivity — Maximum survivability. The Y-Wing is already tanky; these traits make it nearly unkillable.
- Daredevil + Scrapper — Unorthodox but effective. The Y-Wing's drift creates openings for close-range Ion Bomb deployment, and Scrapper profits from the ensuing chaos.
Best Tracks for the Y-Wing
The Y-Wing dominates on combat-heavy circuits:
- Death Star — Tight corridors force ships together, making Ion Bomb devastating
- Mustafar — Close-quarters racing through volcanic terrain maximizes combat encounters
- Hoth — Grouped racing through asteroid fields creates Ion Bomb opportunities
- Coruscant — Traffic clusters enemies for area-of-effect attacks
The Y-Wing is weakest on open tracks like Kessel and Tatooine where ships spread out and combat frequency drops.
TIE Bomber: The Imperial Heavy Hitter
The TIE Bomber sacrifices the Y-Wing's defensive balance for even more aggressive combat capabilities. Its combat power matches the Y-Wing at base 10, but its lower shield stat of 8 and handling of 3 make it harder to use effectively. The TIE Bomber rewards experienced Heavy pilots who can manage its limitations.
Core Stats
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 4 | 6 |
| Acceleration | 3 | 5 |
| Handling | 3 | 5 |
| Armor | 9 | 11 |
| Shield | 8 | 10 |
| Combat Power | 10 | 12 |
| Weapon Slots | 5 | 6 |
| Special Ability | Proton Bomb | — |
The "Proton Bomb" deploys a high-damage single-target explosive that deals massive damage to one ship directly ahead. Unlike the Y-Wing's area Ion Bomb, the Proton Bomb is a precision assassination tool — use it to eliminate a lead ship or punish an opponent who cut you off.
TIE Bomber Build Guide
Build for maximum burst damage and just enough survivability to deliver it:
- Combat Power (5 levels)
- Weapon Capacity (4 levels)
- Armor (4 levels)
- Proton Bomb Damage (3 levels)
- Shield (3 levels)
- Acceleration (2 levels)
Best Tracks for the TIE Bomber
The TIE Bomber excels where precision combat matters:
- Death Star — Narrow corridors force head-to-head confrontations, perfect for Proton Bomb
- Mustafar — Close racing through volcanic passages creates target-rich environments
- Coruscant — Traffic provides numerous Proton Bomb targets
ARC-170: The Team Synergy Ship
The ARC-170 is unique among Heavy ships because it has a built-in team mechanic. Its "Wingman Protocol" special ability grants a 10% shield and armor bonus to all allied ships within 30 meters. This team buff makes the ARC-170 an essential pick for coordinated Squadron Clash teams.
Core Stats
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 4 | 6 |
| Acceleration | 4 | 6 |
| Handling | 5 | 7 |
| Armor | 8 | 10 |
| Shield | 9 | 11 |
| Combat Power | 8 | 10 |
| Weapon Slots | 3 | 4 |
| Special Ability | Wingman Protocol | — |
The ARC-170's balanced Heavy stats and team-oriented ability make it the best Heavy ship for Squadron Clash specifically. In a well-coordinated team, the ARC-170's Wingman Protocol effectively gives every nearby teammate extra health, which compounds across the entire match.
ARC-170 Build Guide
Build for team support with personal survivability:
- Shield (5 levels) — You need to stay alive to keep buffing teammates
- Wingman Protocol Range (4 levels) — Extend the buff radius
- Armor (4 levels) — Survive focus fire from enemies who recognize your value
- Handling (3 levels) — Stay within range of teammates through corners
- Combat Power (2 levels) — Secondary contribution
Best Trait Combos for the ARC-170
- Master Mechanic + Survivor — Keep yourself alive for your team through pit stops and emergency armor
- Tactician + Master Mechanic — Find shortcuts to stay with your team while managing shield levels
- Scrapper + Survivor — Generate resources while absorbing damage for the team
Heavy Ship Comparison for Combat Modes
When choosing a Heavy ship for combat-focused game modes, consider this comparison:
| Category | Millennium Falcon | Y-Wing | TIE Bomber | ARC-170 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1v1 Combat | A+ | A | S | B+ |
| Team Combat | A | A | B | S |
| Hazard Survival | S | A | A | A+ |
| Grand Prix Versatility | S | B+ | B | A |
| Learning Curve | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Upgrade Cost | Very High | High | High | Medium |
Combat Mode Strategies for Heavy Ships
Heavy ships require a fundamentally different approach than Speed or Balanced ships. Here are core strategies that apply across all Heavy vehicles:
Ramming as a Weapon
Heavy ships deal collision damage proportional to their mass. When you sideswipe a Speed or Balanced ship, you knock them off course and deal shield damage. Use this aggressively in tight corridors. On the Death Star trench run, simply holding your line forces lighter ships to either avoid you or crash. This is the Heavy class's most underutilized advantage.
Shield Management
Unlike Speed ships that avoid damage entirely, Heavy ships are designed to absorb it. But absorption is not free — shields deplete. Learn the shield thresholds for your ship and identify safe pit stop windows. A Heavy ship that pits at the right time loses minimal position; one that pits at the wrong time drops multiple places. The Master Mechanic trait is invaluable here, reducing pit stop duration and increasing shield regen speed.
Area Denial
Heavy ships with mines and bombs can control track sections. Drop mines at the exit of shortcuts or the entrance of narrow corridors. Opponents must either dodge (losing time) or trigger them (losing shields). The Y-Wing's Ion Bomb is the ultimate area denial tool — use it at chokepoints where the entire pack is forced together.
Body Blocking
In Squadron Clash, position your Heavy ship between enemies and your team's Speed ships. The enemy must either go through you (costing time and shield) or go around (also costing time). This is why the ARC-170's Wingman Protocol is so powerful — you protect teammates while making them tankier.
Unlocking Heavy Ships
Heavy class ships require significant investment to unlock:
| Ship | Unlock Cost | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| U-Wing | 3,000 | Credits |
| Republic Gunship | 6,000 | Credits |
| Firespray | 8,000 | Credits + 75 Ship Components |
| TIE Bomber | 10,000 | Credits + 125 Ship Components |
| Y-Wing | 12,000 | Credits + 175 Ship Components |
| ARC-170 | 12,000 | Credits + 150 Ship Components |
| Millennium Falcon | 18,000 | Credits + 300 Ship Components |
| Lambda Shuttle | 8 | Champion Tokens |
The Millennium Falcon's 18,000 Credit and 300 Ship Component cost makes it the most expensive ship in the game. Start saving early if you want the best Heavy ship. The Y-Wing is a more accessible alternative that delivers exceptional combat performance at a lower price point.
For comparison with Speed class alternatives, see our best Speed ships guide. For a broader class overview, check the vehicle classes guide.
Final Verdict
The best Heavy ship in Star Wars Galactic Racer depends on your priorities:
- Best overall Heavy: Millennium Falcon — unmatched shield, versatile combat, surprising agility
- Best pure combat: Y-Wing — Ion Bomb dominance in team fights
- Best burst damage: TIE Bomber — Proton Bomb for precision eliminations
- Best team support: ARC-170 — Wingman Protocol makes your entire team tougher
For most Heavy class pilots, the Y-Wing offers the best value. It delivers top-tier combat performance at a lower cost than the Falcon, and its Ion Bomb is a game-defining ability. But if you have the resources, the Millennium Falcon's versatility justifies its premium price tag. Pick the Heavy ship that matches your combat style, build it for durability and damage, and become the immovable object that nothing on the track can push aside.