It is possible to cope with improved NPCs even in vanilla ships. Rhino with Barradger 1 turrets and Scorpion guns can (almost) cope with anything level 1 or 2 mission can throw at you. I just wish for the missiles to work more like in vanilla. Meaning, to stand a chance to hit something with it, from time to time. As opposed to not even knowing where the hell this missile have flew to...