Designing a ship like my krait, had a fundamental insistence. That both close range and mid range be catered for. That way the unfortunate npc or cmdr doesn't have many options to avoid incoming.
This in turn forces them on the defensive.
Once that's attained it's fa off 3 sec boosts, volleys of railing semi auto style, and a face full of buckshot if they wander too close.
Works for me. Build a ship that can withstand heat. Armoured power plants run cool as do low emissions power plants.
Having internal module protection is essential.
Multicannons beams etc are boring. And do nothing to increase your piloting skills.
Railing, using PAs, or frag canons, even cannons, require alot of practice.
The one l linked earlier is a pve version. She has same weps but engineered differently to increase dps at the expense of ammo.
So I suggest to any noob..look at special weps and be patient.
Tip for railing Always Target (snipe) an internal. Power plant is good..as is fsd to stop em running.