taking out of the equation ? why ? for 8 speed ? meh.
im using EzPz, zzader, GK, Thrawn as basis, with +1 changing. sometimes MT, sometimes zTarkin, sometimes DN, TFP, Maul... whatever feel like.
vs empire team, i can probably beat with each one of them. AI doing bad moves anyway, you have huge advantage. unless your mods are horrible, it should work.
id say, check what do you have most in shard. is it NS ? go a sith - DN/Maul. can surprise even in defense (Maul and asajj 1v1 is never-ending battle)
is it jRey ? well, MT is very annoying. worth a shot. also can surprise on def.
CLS ? zTarkin/TFP can be awesome.
Empire will be crushed by any of those.