Assault Frigate Mk2B - Gunnery Team, Enhanced armament

MC30 Scout - TRC, Foresight, APT, Ordnance experts

MC80 command - Ackbar, ECM, Leading shots, home one

Squadrons - Han, Dash.

Cost: 394

I want to upgrade my mc80 to an assault cruiser and put in defiance but then my whale will become less viable. Open to suggestions.

You don't need the assault cruiser unless you really really want a second defensive retrofit. I like your list as is actually. The only thing I would do is drop leading shots on the MC80 and get ECM on the AFII. With this list, you don't care about your initiative bid anyway. You're well suited to going second.

Assault Frigate Mk2B - Gunnery Team, XX-9 Turbolasers or ECM

MC30 Scout - TRC, Foresight, APT, Ordnance experts

MC80 assault- Ackbar, ECM, Leading shots, home one

Squadrons - Han, Dash.

Cost: 397/399

I gave you the mc80 to an assault cruiser but, defiance would not be advised. As Home one can also help out your MC30c Scout. That little scout doesn't seem that big of a deal but, it can do some major damage up close.

The biggest counters I see are fighter heavy builds and anyone with a raider set for squadron lock down. As they can lock Han and dash down while using there's for heavy damage.

That said it's a nice build!