I think this post is a bit of an exercise in think out loud - or rather typing - but I really like the community's speculation and ideas.

When the defender was finally announced I was really pleased; it's probably my favourite ship because of the fond memories of hours of Tie Fighter gaming on the PC. I love its stats and the cost is steering users to a smaller imperial squad ( I have no problem with that, the variation is cool). I feel that the defender is a ship that is being 'short changed' as the game stands at the moment:

In order to get Rexler's ability working focus is needed, using his action to get that focus really reduces his potency as if you want to flip damage then the other actions are redundant. I can only see Vader as a real option to help supply the focus actions through squad leader. Soontir Fel would be wasted having to hang around in formation if one put squad leader on him - as would Vader for that matter ( let's put cost of Vader aside for now).

Where do you suppose a focus generating ship/pilot/upgrade/ability for the imperials is going to come from?

Crew on the Decimator would seem like a likely location.

Doh!

Fleet officer. I'll get my coat and go back to just reading stuff.

fleet officer is rexler's best friend.

that or someone like colonel jendon who gives target locks and lets rexler focus.

Fleet Officer will help loads of ships with limits that could use a Focus: Lorrir, Kanos, Brath, etc. And rather than the Decimator, you know what's a cheap crew option that could work? Sigma Squadron Phantom as a AGI 4 support ship.

This might be a case where Rhymer is functional, now that we have a way to fire a secondary without Deadeye.

OGP+Fleet Officer+Advanced Sensors

Rhymer+Wingman+Proton Rockets(2)

Brath+Decoy

This /might/ be better with a rocket on Brath and switching to Jonus so Brath can double-focus and fire 5dice "TLed" rockets, but I like being able to hide Rhymer behind the shuttle.

Jendon with Fleet Officer

29 points and very sluggish (since for optimum use you will be limited to the Lambda's greens) but you can give out both TL and Focus to another ship