(I think).
<buffs nails>Correct
Regarding shield boosters increasing recharge time; whenever my shields go down I go to the modules tab and turn them off manually. Some shield is better than none, and I can always reengage them when the shields go back up.
. So, the A6 performs MUCH better than the A5, even though the raw strength difference is only 24MJ. Thus, the much higher price for the A6. If you're going to use the Asp for combat, buy the A6.
Ive seen this strategy around, but in a combat situation, I hate taking focus off maneuvering/firing. When I have the enemy in my sights, i want to rain as much firepower as possible and get the fight over with quicker. Unless you're using turreted weapons I suppose.
the A5 and A6 have very different optimal mass. Per FD comments, the greater the difference between optimal mass and hull mass, the greater the difference in shield performance. The difference in optimal and hull mass for A5 is (405-280) = 125T while the difference for A6 is (540-280) = 260T. So, the A6 performs MUCH better than the A5, even though the raw strength difference is only 24MJ. Thus, the much higher price for the A6. If you're going to use the Asp for combat, buy the A6.
I found six gimbaled multi-cannons work well on the Asp. Should chew through a few ships before you need to reload. They are cheap and not power hungry. You will find shields take longer but armour just melts. BTW the vulture is much better at combat .