For me:

1. Elite Stormtroopers - cheap, deadly, and somewhat tough, a good solid troop unit

2. Stormtroopers - cheap troops and love the re-roll when working together

3. Elite Probe Droid - a 3-dice attack that can penetrate, heal, and do extra damage

4. Probe Droid - cheap version of above that makes enemy troopers nervous about bunching up

5. Elite E-Web Engineer - 3-dice double attack with healing and extra damage - loving it!

Wait, are we not including Vader for some reason? Also, I'd put Elite Imperial Officer above regular Probe Droid any day. Elite troopers are definitely great for the cost though.

Had a great game with elite royal guard, with sustained fire and show of force, managed to wound dirty rebels in one activation quite reliably.

Could you copy the text from Suustained fire and show of force?

I don't have them on me but show of force is the initial equip for military might, exhaust to make an imperial model focused when you declare an attack.

Sustained fire reads that an imperial model may make a second attack action then becomes stunned.

Throw in an imperial officer for giggles and start trolling rebel players!

Is this campaign or skirmish? In campaign, Mercenary figures are considered Imperial figures, so I'd have to say my favorites would be:

1. Elite Royal Guard - I love stun and these guys are pretty beefy. Plus, their +1 block is appreciated by other figures.

2. Imperial Officer - the extra movement granted by this cheap figure makes your turns more unpredictable

3. Elite Trandoshan Hunter - They're harder to take out than stormies and deal strain which is awesome

4. Nexu - Man, this thing can move! And the first few times you Rebels see it, they are terrified of it!

5. Elite Stormtrooper (especially with cloaking device )

If you're asking for just Imperial figures, I suppose Elite Officer and Regular Royal Guards jump onto the list.

Skirmish:

1) Imperial Officer

2) Luke Skywalker

3) Darth Vader

4) Gideon Argus

5) Royal Guard

Campaign:

1) Elite Stormtroopers

2) E-Web (elite or not)

3) Trandoshan Hunters

4) Nexu (elite or not)

5) Elite Probe Droid

I was wondering about whether mercs count as imperial units Budgernaut.

Don't suppose you know where the rule on that is do you? Cause ive been only using imperials wherever text states imperial model/deployment card.

I think non-Elite Royal Guards are phenomenal, for the point cost. They can provide you up to 8 health/turn (opponent has potentially 8 attacks [or more with the right upgrades]saves one damage each). This ability gets even better when up against characters who attack frequently for lower damage, or who cancel dice. Add that on top of the fact they do great damage and a good chance to stun, 5 speed, and cost less than an Elite Stormtrooper group.

They make my list both in Skirmish and Campaign.