With new cards for the Defender, thinking this just might work (this includes unreleased cards):

Darth Vader (29)

TIE/X1 (0)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Rexler Brath (37)

Ion Canon (3)

Rage (1)

TIE/D (0)

Total: 100 points

Vader and Palpatine (shuttle) are self explanatory. With Rexler, Rage allows for re-rolling of 3 attack dice whenever attacking, TIE/D allows for a double attack (Ion + Primary), capitalizing on the 2 stress acquired to use Rage. His ability allows for a normal damage card to become a crit at the cost of a focus token, which can be used on the Ion canon attack, or the primary attack. Ion allows for a bit of control with Vader, and potentially even the shuttle. With the Defender, you can wash away one of those stress tokens with an aggressive straight, flip a white k-turn, and jump back into action with another green straight to do it all again.

I have not run this, just thought of it as a viable option for a competitive Defender...thoughts?

this might ruin your plan with rage a bit:

With new cards for the Defender, thinking this just might work (this includes unreleased cards):

Darth Vader (29)

TIE/X1 (0)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Rexler Brath (37)

Ion Canon (3)

Rage (1)

TIE/D (0)

Total: 100 points

Vader and Palpatine (shuttle) are self explanatory. With Rexler, Rage allows for re-rolling of 3 attack dice whenever attacking, TIE/D allows for a double attack (Ion + Primary), capitalizing on the 2 stress acquired to use Rage. His ability allows for a normal damage card to become a crit at the cost of a focus token, which can be used on the Ion canon attack, or the primary attack. Ion allows for a bit of control with Vader, and potentially even the shuttle. With the Defender, you can wash away one of those stress tokens with an aggressive straight, flip a white k-turn, and jump back into action with another green straight to do it all again.

I have not run this, just thought of it as a viable option for a competitive Defender...thoughts?

Um no. Rage gives you re-rolls + focus to be used for one turn (up to two attacks through TIE/D) as you've mentioned. But then for the next turn you have ZERO tokens AND you must perform a straight green to ensure that you can possibly get actions again for the following turn. Upgrades that force you into predictable flight paths are a bad idea because you are giving your opponent an excellent opportunity to outfly you.

Just spend the 3 points for predator. It costs more, still allows you to take a focus token and although it doesn't give as many re-rolls as rage, it doesn't deny you a precious action and more importantly it doesn't lock you into bad positioning just to get your actions back later...

If you really, really still want to try to make Rage work on Rexler, at the very least take Yorr or Epsilon Leader. Also, TIE mk 2 engine really is a must have. That way, the terrible double stress downside of Rage is not nearly so bad...

Thanks for the feedback. Added Twin Ion Engine, replaced Ion Canon with Flachette Canon. This adds more green maneuvers for stress removal, as well as adding forced stress on enemies while still capitalizing on the free crits on Rexler's ability + Rage.

Darth Vader (29)

TIE/X1 (0)

Advanced Targeting Computer (1)

Omicron Group Pilot (21)

Emperor Palpatine (8)

Rexler Brath (37)

Flachette Canon (2)

Rage (1)

TIE/D (0)

Twin Ion Engine Mk. II (1)

Total: 100 points

Why not just tractor beam? More usefull then this flachette.

And if you really really want that rage is really subpar to anything on defender take yorr instead of omicron. I agree with blade_mercurial on predator and locking yourself. Even with mkII you still need to make 2 banks just to turn around, no famous white kturn of defenders if you want actions.