I'm fairly new so thanks for all the nice comments, so doing anything in open you should just expect to be killed for no reason at any time?
I've been around for quite a while, and am now up to a T-10 (if up is the right word lol), but I've been shot down recently in my Python and my T-10 a couple of times each (!) by players for no apparently good reason.
But what that has done has made me question my tactics and my ships. My Python, I have now engineered to resist attack - it won't crumble so quickly and gives me a chance either to fight or run for safety. My T-10, I've realized needs a SLF; it is now equipped with at least one and has well engineered shields (they could be even better !).
For CGs with the T-10, I call up an engineered FSD that is shorter range but less susceptible to damage in the initial attack, giving me a chance to get away while I launch an SLF, or turn to fire back and give the attacker a hard time. Most of the time because I run cargo to CGs, I run from the trouble, so I need all the time I can get to jump to safety.
The point of this reply is, the senseless attacks do provide you with benefit. First, you get to understand your ship more, and how you can improve it. Second, you get to question your tactics and how you might do better next time. My ships have changed a lot as a result.
The forums help, because despite the cat-calling, there is also plenty of good advice by Commanders who have all suffered the same and learned from their experiences. I suspect most of us don't learn a lot by just staying alive all of the time.
Don't give up. Fly solo if you need a break while you re-organize, then get back into Open and see how you might have improved. Never be slow to run from trouble - you are up against uber-weaponed platforms with the advantage of surprise.
o7 commander, and keep enjoying your game [yesnod]
