it is really the modules that go on the ships that should be the focus for best strategy.

For instance, cannons shoot particles but can miss. Missiles shoot particles but can hunt them down. Missiles might always be preferred except only cannons can also shoot at struc (the stuff that grows in space) and at mired land (red covered land). But, Emergent (those cubes that move around in space leaving trails) are best controlled by missiles since cannons miss them a lot and a pack of missiles can really keep emergent at bay. Then there are particle beams that slow incoming particles and rebuild plasma (the cloud like stuff in space that slows down particles). So ships with only, or combinations, of cannons, missile launches, and particle beams become more or less useful for certain tasks.

A Marauder ship is sort of a mix of all three of these things. A jack of all trades. But, you'll find that you'd much rather have a wolf (mostly missiles) on the front line when a horde of emergent head your way.

And none of that factors in enemy ships and that missiles can only be shot down by defense lasers ( and slowed by particle beams) but cannon shots can be shot down with other cannon shots

Reactors create a small amount of energy for a ship https://steamcommunity.com/app/422900/discussions/0/350543738454699475/