Sovetskaya ... rogue coalition ships ... bullpup 3 freighter
i am no stranger to frantic play ... but this was scary 
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The BullpupMk3 is one of the most "survivable" ships in the game... but only if you turn tail and run when you are out-gunned! The tough armor and nine guns make the BullpupMk3 formidable against lesser enemies -- but the Coalition Rogues are just too tough. A wing of Dom Ka'Vash fighters or some of the Inner Core aliens can be even more fierce.
When facing these uber-enemies, the dual thrusters are the Bullpup's strongest feature. Kick 'em in, drop some mines, and evade. 
Depending on your fighting style, the APC Armored Transport is another good choice (in addition to the fighters mentioned above). No dual thrusters, but it handles like a (heavy) VHF, has lots of guns and armor, and can mount level 10 shields.
I know that most folks here prize good handling, and that is legitimate for some fighting styles. However, it is possible to be extremely effective in a freighter -- especially the BullpupMk3 (at least against NPC enemies). The key is to make good use of distance:
1) Use the BullpupMk3's dual thrusters to stay out of weapons range from your adversaries. Let your shields recover.
2) Thrust full speed with those dual thrusters toward the enemy. You have nine guns on your BullpupMk3, so use them to hammer the enemy. This works best if you mount long-range weapons such as Dom Ka'Vash Annihilators (DKA's). The DKA's are the longest-range gun in the game. With six DKA's and three good turrets you can do a lot of damage to an enemy before they even get into range to use their own weapons.
3) When your shields fade, then turn and run.
4) Repeat. Pick off one enemy from the attacking wing at a time.
If you fight this way, then maneuverability is almost completely unimportant. Most of your turns will be made while sliding away from the enemy, so turning speed does not matter.
(Of course, there is a "trick" to doing the above, and that is getting six DKA's in the first place! I recommend taking on single DK Gunships until you get the hang of it. They often call for reinforcements before you kill them, so expect to be fighting two, even if you only see one Dom Ka'Vash gunboat when you begin your attack. Kill the first gunboat, tractor the loot, then get out of there before the second gunboat rips you to shreds. )
@Arkane: I had similar trouble with the Coalition Rogues. I think it started when they tried to pirate my cargo and I thought I would teach them a lesson. It turned out the *I* was the one who learned a lesson that day! :o
Do not be discouraged, Rossman. The enemies are intentionally difficult -- and become increasingly difficult as you get further away from the Sirius Sector. The Inner Core is really intended to be traveled with escorts (MP). You can do it, solo, in your BullpupMk3, but expect to run more often than you fight!
Also, after a trip through the Inner Core, the Coaliton Rogues seem far less scary. 
PS: Get the best armor and shield upgrades that you can. Earth, Nephele, and Planet Crossfire are good places to shop.
He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.
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