Soooo... I just continued my bounty hunting in one of these Anarchy extraction sites. After I rescued some slaves, my Viper attracted pirates like cow dung flies.
I may not be a good enough pilot (obviuosly, according to some posts in this thread), but I was quite happy I had those shield cells equipped. Fighting against three non-harmless NPCs at the same time might be something, the awesome top guns this thread is filled with might do while eating a muffin. Not me, unfortunately.
And while keeping an eye on a) my target, b) the additional attackers, c) the asteroids, d) other ships (on radar and directly) in order to not create an additional enemy, e) the power distribution and finally f) my shields, I somehow felt that using the shield cells at the rigth moment needed a certain amount of minimal skill.
And despite being probably wrong, as I used those unworthy health potions that spoil every bit of fun in the game, I had a blast in this fight! I promise, next time I will be bored, as I should have been...
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As I said before: tweak them, if you must, but keep them in the game and don't nerve them into oblivion.
Instead, increase the danger (e.g. multiple attackers) and shield cells will be a necessary (and fun) equipment.