Hawks is a customizable protagonist, not a blank replacement for every character in STAR WARS Zero Company. You can personalize appearance, voice and standard Specialization while keeping the role of a former Republic officer leading the company. Custom recruits offer another way to shape the roster, with their own available creation options.
Source: EA · GameplayStarWars.com · Trailer
What you can personalize
The character-creation systems cover species and appearance alongside choices such as voice and standard Specialization. Official material shows species including Human, Togruta and Twi’lek. Treat these as documented examples, not a promise that every species is selectable for every type of operator.
Official promotional descriptions do not present one consistent universal species count: Hawks and custom recruits are discussed with different pools, and later overviews combine options. The character creator for the operator you are making is the useful place to confirm availability. Do not choose a character concept on the assumption that every recruit option is also a Hawks option.
Source: EA · GameplayStarWars.com · Trailer
Appearance does not supply a stat build
EA’s Q&A states that species and outfits do not provide inherent statistical bonuses. Choose a look because you want it, then build the tactical role through the operator’s actual Specialization, abilities and equipment. Cosmetic armor is not a shortcut to a different character identity.
Most operators can change standard Specializations at The Den. That is a separate system from selecting a species or costume, and it is worth revisiting when the squad needs a different role. The eight-class comparison gives a role-based starting point.
Source: EA · Q&AEA · GameplayEA · Specializations
Can Hawks become a Jedi?
No. Jedi is not an ordinary class choice for Hawks or custom humanoid recruits. Tel-Rea is the company’s authored Jedi Padawan. Likewise, Cly’s Mandalorian identity is distinct from equipping an ARC Trooper cosmetic or choosing a standard offensive class.
Hawks also remains essential to the story structure: Hawks must deploy on story missions, and death triggers mission failure and a restart. Changing appearance or class does not remove that campaign rule.
Source: EA · Q&AEA · Gameplay
Preparing a custom recruit
Decide what your roster lacks before creating several similar operators. A new recruit can fill a tactical role or provide a reserve while another member recovers. Check the recruit’s sheet and available abilities rather than treating appearance as a measure of combat strength.
EcksToo’s gameplay guide demonstrates preparing custom characters through the main-menu Databank before hiring becomes available. Creating a design is not the same as having it deployed in the campaign: recruitment and roster capacity still apply. See squad size and recruitment for those limits.
Source: EcksTooEA · GameplayEA · Q&A