When I first flew defenders I went straight to vessery and against other fighters he's a monster, but when facing big ships you want rexlers ability, three crits on the falcon can seriously ruin it's day especially if you reduce its agility, it's one of the best anti chewi options.

Why not both?

Rexler - predator

Vessery - VI

OGP - FCS or AdS

For 99 or 100 pts. Vessery shoots first to strip shields, Rexler shoots and saves focus to turn cards over as required and OGP shoots for a kill or to soften up he next target.

In regards to the OP's question, I think a flanking Defender is the way to go in that squad. Spreading the squad out will make it easier to maneuver in on the enemy squad. Really, though, I agree with Deadshane. The Defender without HLC is sort of sad, in my book. It's not really terrible, but it's so much less than the monster it could be. That being said, there's no points for an HLC in the OP's squad layout, so it's not very applicable.

You have 34 points left. No Vessery with 2 BH's. The most efficient way to play the defender in that case is as a flanker, and as deadshane noted, there are more suitable options at that points value as a flanker, for various reasons, not only because of the action economy, but because of the crappy PS aswell.

If you want to discuss about a better flanker for that 2 BH squad, i am all open to it. since i believe the OP already got the information that he was asking for.

He's really got 30 points if he keeps the Seismic Charges. You can still make a pretty good flanker, though. I think you could do something cool with Backstabber + another TIE Fighter. Backstabber is the cheapest way to get a reliable 3 dice attack, and he has a nice PS. You could add him and a BSP for 30 points for a bunch of good, close range firepower.

In regards to the OP's question, I think a flanking Defender is the way to go in that squad. Spreading the squad out will make it easier to maneuver in on the enemy squad. Really, though, I agree with Deadshane. The Defender without HLC is sort of sad, in my book. It's not really terrible, but it's so much less than the monster it could be. That being said, there's no points for an HLC in the OP's squad layout, so it's not very applicable.

In that case. Soontir is just perfect for that spot Ghaerdon imho. I had actually played quite a bit that list (2x BH, Soontir Push the limits + stealth upgrade in my case, even tho the upgrade is a preference thing, getting a TL can be nice too). The PS9 also helps to deal with phantoms (since you can move after him).

Edit: That being said, i would try both lists anyways. Just to understand the options.

If what you are looking for is a flanker, which is a very good choice considering that you already have 2 of the best tank with the BHs, I also believe the Interceptor is a better choice over the Defender. For 30 pts, my choices would be:

-Soontir Fel + PtL (can't go wrong with this one, he's a beast)

-Turr Phennir + Veteran Instinct + Hull Upgrade (With the PS being more and more important, I prefer VI over PtL with Turr to get him to PS9. Hull Upgrade leaves you with 1 point left for initiative)

-Lt Lorrir + Hull Upgrade + Stealth Device (This one is more tricky to play but his banking barrel Roll help a lot for getting out of arc in a close fight while still getting a shot and is very rewarding. Either go with Stealth Device and 1 point for initiative or Shield Upgrade for more resistance)

-Carnor + PtL (if you are willing to get in a knife fight with an Interceptor, Jax is the man. Canceling the use of focus and evade token to your opponent can really turn the tide in a game. PS8 and still 1 point left for initiative.)

I did ok at regionals with:

BH x2

Soontir ptl hull (or shield if you want it at 100 instead of 99)

Took second at my most recent tournament with:

BH tactician x2

Soontir PTL

My original argument wasn't the merits of the interceptor (which are many), more that something that is lovingly dubbed the 'glass cannon' shouldn't ever be considered a 'tank'. Also, he defender doesn't NEED HLC to make it viable, maybe the delta squad defender does, but not Vessery and the like. I'm aware Vessery wouldn't fit in that list with two BHs, it was never suggested .

My 2 favourite 2bh and an interceptor lists are.

2BH and fel with ptl, leaving 4 points for upgrades

2BH and Turr with ptl, hull and stealth

I haven't done the math, but I'm assuming that the previous four posts have naked BHs?

Unless specified, yes. Many swear by recon specialist, I like naked for point conservation or being able to evade or TL instead of feeling like I need to double focus every round.

Tactician is great IMO on the spray. It has such a great dial and moves quickly that range 2-3 shots are where it's at anyway with them.

Turr is excellent with Vi as well if flown well.

2 Bounty Hunter with Tactician and Soontir Fel with PtL sounds good!

It's super nasty. Het Biggs, take two stresses, good luck k turning or taking actions next round...

Well it's Monday Night XWing and I wish to finalize this build. Two Firesprays and Soontir ... Poor Defender didn't get the love without upgrades. So do I:

A) Put Tacticians on the Bounty Hunters and leave Soontir with only the PtL?

Or

B) Leave the Bounty Hunters bare and put PtL and Stealth Devise on Soontir?

Personally, I like the Tacticians on the BH's. It's one of the lists that I will be running at my weekly game night tomorrow. So that would be my vote!

Well it's Monday Night XWing and I wish to finalize this build. Two Firesprays and Soontir ... Poor Defender didn't get the love without upgrades. So do I:

A) Put Tacticians on the Bounty Hunters and leave Soontir with only the PtL?

Or

B) Leave the Bounty Hunters bare and put PtL and Stealth Devise on Soontir?

Hull upgrade imo is a better option on Fel.

I mean stealth device is awesome when you get good rolls, but can be a gamble.

Putting two Tactician on the Bh could be fun to create stress, as it works for both firing arcs.

A Recon spec on one is good for defense.

I think either way it should work well. Fel is hard to hit and kill If flown well.

Well it's Monday Night XWing and I wish to finalize this build. Two Firesprays and Soontir ... Poor Defender didn't get the love without upgrades. So do I:

A) Put Tacticians on the Bounty Hunters and leave Soontir with only the PtL?

Or

B) Leave the Bounty Hunters bare and put PtL and Stealth Devise on Soontir?

Option A. In a game of dice the Stealth Device is highly overrated IMO. The aim is to not get shot with Soontir at all also. I've never found I needed anything on him more than PTL.

Well it's Monday Night XWing and I wish to finalize this build. Two Firesprays and Soontir ... Poor Defender didn't get the love without upgrades. So do I:

A) Put Tacticians on the Bounty Hunters and leave Soontir with only the PtL?

Or

B) Leave the Bounty Hunters bare and put PtL and Stealth Devise on Soontir?

Option A. In a game of dice the Stealth Device is highly overrated IMO. The aim is to not get shot with Soontir at all also. I've never found I needed anything on him more than PTL.

Thanks again everyone, I'll test it out tonight.

Soontir fell tonight, pun intended, because of some bad flying on my part, brought him in much to close to a couple of basic B Wings. The BH's had two named A Wings on them and though I took lots off of Tycho he flew well to avoid more damage. The Bs took out Soontir and well I was surrounded with some bad dice rolls. But I learnt a lot about moving big base ships. Sadly my initial stuff was jousting and I'm not sure that was the right thing to do.

I've played this list... A LOT. Trick is flanking Soontir (takes time to get up he board and around the curve) and holding the BHs back so you get all of your attack dice on in he first round. The greatest weakness with this list is only 9 attack dice, so this is key. Let them focus on one of the BHs then fly him away and make them then focus on the second one. It's crucial to not let them focus fire and drop a BH until late in the game.

Did you like flying it? This combo is my most played list thus far.