At my FLGS game night last night, I was anxious to try out some of the new stuff from Imperial Veterans. Here's what I ran:
Countess Ryad with TIE/x7, Stealth and Expert Handling (I wanted to put Juke on her but realized when I got there one of my Jukes is missing)
Glaive Squadron Pilot with TIE/x7, Stealth and Juke
Omega Leader with Juke and Comm Relay
My opponent fielded Palp Aces with Vader and The Inquisitor. He started the game by moving away from me, and I made 3 straight maneuvers with my ships, earning free evades for my defenders and took an evade with OL. In fact, the whole game I made 3 or greater speed turns with my Defenders almost exclusively. Took some fire from Vader on the next turn, but my ships were very difficult to hit. The Countess' ability to turn straight turns into K-turns was invaluable, allowing me to line up some good shots on Vader, who fell to combined fire, but not before he knocked a shield off her ship. OL lost his shield to Vader and took a hit from the Inquisitor, but the dark sider got tag teamed by OL and Ryad. At that point, my opponent called it.
Palp merely delayed the inevitable with his ability, and I lost 1 shield on each Defender which was of my own doing (scraping asteroids). Expert Handling was actually useful, allowing me to shake off a Vader TL.
Damage Report:
Countess Ryad - 2 shields
Glave - 1 shield
OL - 1 shield, 1 hull
This may well be my go-to Imp list going forward, I just need to get another Juke for Ryad by hook or crook. With the new expansion, IMO the Defender is again the 'muscle' ship it was envisioned to be when it was brought into the game.