First question - is this a custom build pirate ship, or one converted from a merchant design? If you are designing it as military ship then as soon as they get scans off you they can tell you are designed for battle. But, if you LOOK like a clunky merchie, it's much easier to not only get closer, but also for you to potentially bypass nosy patrols, fighter fly-bys, etc. That's where those pop-up turrets come in handy.
Custom designed for piracy, but a design which can claim to be an honest merchant. Hence the existance of the inferior courier version - cheap 4g-capable freighter/passenger carriers are attractive to merchants and help put enough non-pirate ships in circulation using the same hull.
I also agree with the idea that you need some additional small ships to scout for you. I would say, at a minimum, a pair of 20ton fighters so that they have some legs, or say half-dozen 10ton ships for when you are taking on tougher targets or you might need to have a few more lasers in space for anti-missile defense. Of course, this means you are pretty well funded pirates, and the loss of a fighter is a hefty purse hit.
In terms of scouting, this is the reason for the probe drones. They don't take up much space and provide the sensor coverage required without needing a hard-to-justify heavy fighter hangar.
Custom designed for piracy, but a design which can claim to be an honest merchant. Hence the existance of the inferior courier version - cheap 4g-capable freighter/passenger carriers are attractive to merchants and help put enough non-pirate ships in circulation using the same hull.
I also agree with the idea that you need some additional small ships to scout for you. I would say, at a minimum, a pair of 20ton fighters so that they have some legs, or say half-dozen 10ton ships for when you are taking on tougher targets or you might need to have a few more lasers in space for anti-missile defense. Of course, this means you are pretty well funded pirates, and the loss of a fighter is a hefty purse hit.
In terms of scouting, this is the reason for the probe drones. They don't take up much space and provide the sensor coverage required without needing a hard-to-justify heavy fighter hangar.
