Squadron crafting, here is another project that seems to make sense but wanted so feedback.

Tie Defender, Rexler, Juke, X-7

Tie Defender, Maarek, Adapt up PS 8, X-7

Lambda, Omicron Group, Palpatine, Collision Detector

99 points

or

Tie Defender, Rexler, Adapt up PS8, X-7, Twin Ion

Tie Defender, Maarek, VI, X-7, Twin Ion

Lambda, Omicron Group, Palpatine, Collision Detector

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated, Thanks!

If you are teching to beat standard palp defenders either works. If you are trying to tech against PS8 stuff I would go with the first list for initiative bid. Juke also works way better with high PS. MK2 engines won't do much for you unless there is a lot of stress builds in your meta. I'd go with the first list personally.

I see so reducing second build to 98 points. Maybe add Anti-Pursuit Laser to Shuttle? or play bid game?

If you are etching to beat standard palp defenders either works. If you are trying to tech against PS8 stuff I would go with the first list for initiative bid. Juke also works way better with high PS. MK2 engines won't do much for you unless there is a lot of stress builds in your meta. I'd go with the first list personally.

Been seeing allot of Back Draft with this build. It hits hard and has a built in evade token.

Back Draft, Expertise, FCS, Sensor Cluster, Light weight Frame, Title. Paired with Palp/Yorr, and Inqy (PTL, AT, Title).

This build has me thinking of jumping to PS9 Defenders and trying to out fly the Aces at PS8. But if I can stay low at 98 then I would get the In bid. Hmm...

I would only fly the first list if you are trying to beat standard palp defenders, otherwise you're better off sticking to vessery and ryad due to their insane action economy.

Squadron crafting, here is another project that seems to make sense but wanted so feedback.

Tie Defender, Rexler, Juke, X-7

Tie Defender, Maarek, Adapt up PS 8, X-7

Lambda, Omicron Group, Palpatine, Collision Detector

99 points

or

Tie Defender, Rexler, Adapt up PS8, X-7, Twin Ion

Tie Defender, Maarek, VI, X-7, Twin Ion

Lambda, Omicron Group, Palpatine, Collision Detector

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated, Thanks!

Rex is great (mainly for his PS), Maarek...less so. He is, however, the only other Defender who can get to PS9, so if you want to take him I'd say keep him at x/7, Veteran Instincts, and MKII Engines if the points are spare - they're great on the Defender but not essential.

Juke seems like a great fit on x/7's, but honestly I've found it lacking - there are just too many occasions (0 agility ships, opponent would spend their focus anyway, etc) where it does nothing for you, and x/7's need to know when they can go fast and when they have to go slow. If the latter is costing them offence as well as defence, you as the player are disinclined to do it and I feel that will lead to defeats through being too predictable.

Certainly it seems that your main aim is to beat the other common Palpatine + Defenders lists, what with the importance of high PS in both variants. To that end, I'd give Rex Crack Shot (always good), Lone Wolf (means he can be your endgame and/or flanking ship), or a PS buff like Maarek (depending on whether you want two 9's or a 9 and a 10 - personally the two 9's would be my preference).

However, were I to reimagine the list a smidgen, I'd go for this:

Rexler Brath (TIE Defender)

-'TIE x/7'

-Predator

38pts

Delta Squadron Pilot (TIE Defender)

-'TIE x/7'

-Hull Upgrade

31pts

Omicron Group Pilot (Lambda Shuttle)

-Emperor Palpatine

-Collision Detector

29pts

98pts

So, you have a PS8 Defender to beat the common Vessery and Ryad builds for PS, and a PS1 both to never get blocked (a huge boon for a Defender) and to do blocking of its own - even x/7's hate getting blocked - while also being near impossible to remove from the board. You maintain your decent initiative bid of 98pts, but give yourself a little more freedom in what you can do with your two Defenders.