This is a list I have been flying with a modicum of success (more than I've had with my Defender lists, anyway...), but I feel like it could be improved. We have:

Kath Scarlet

Veteran Instincts

K4 Security Droid

Engine Upgrade

46pts

Cartel Spacer

'Heavy Scyk'

Flechette Cannon

18pts

Binayre Pirate x3

12pts (36pts)

Kath does most of the heavy lifting and (hopefully) survives until the endgame with her ability to rapidly disengage and turn round - and between the K4 droid, a focus token, and her rear gun she can deal a fearsome amount of damage. The pirates do what you'd expect - fly in formation, joust something, then split off as necessary and block+assist. The Spacer stays behind the main aggressors and makes an irritation of itself, handing out the odd stress token and taking opportunity shots.

I've considered dropping the Spacer for various options (N'Dru with VI, Hot Shot Blasters or missiles on the Z's, etc) as I feel the list perhaps lacks some punch - most of my games with it seem to go long and this is detrimental for timed tournament play.

Any thoughts?

You might drop the scyks and one Z and put in a Y-wing. They are tanky enough and can be kitted out pretty well

The M3A is out of place here, and the Heavy Interceptor title isn't worth it unless you're going for an HLC and Hull Upgrade in my opinion. A more efficient option would be to just give Kath a casual Flechette.

VI on Kath without any initiative bid will still leave you susceptible to high-PS arc-dodgers like Soontir and the impending wave of Darth Vaders. Since you already have K4 on Kath, you might as well take the dive and go for PTL or at least EH.

I would suggest something like this:

Kath [K4, PTL, EU] - 48 pts

Binayre Pirate

Binayre Pirate

Binayre Pirate [feedback array]

Binayre Pirate [feedback array]

or

Kath [K4, PTL, EU, HLC, Slave-I title, Flechette Torpedoes] - 57pts

Binayre Pirate [feedback array]

Binayre Pirate [feedback array]

Binayre Pirate [feedback array]

Feedback Arrays are your answer to arc-dodgers. Even if they evade those R1 areas, you can force them into arcs of your other ships.

This list also gives your Kath more of a meatshield, blocking, and effiency against turret ships.

Hope that helps!

PTL Kath. There was a lot of talk about "fat bottom Kath" when she was first spoiled. I think Special K takes your Scyk spot when they hit and then re-evaluate. Scum gets more interesting with a 20pt solid filler.