[Cheeze]

Krsk, you made an excellent post. I would add two other options to combat these weapons.

1)Use engine destroyers - If you eliminate the Talisman/Subverter ship's ability to move, you may prevent it from closing to a distance where it can use this weapon. Now it can be eliminated by longer-ranged weapons without worry.

2)Use repulser beams - As with the above strategy, this might allow your ships to move in, strike and then push the Talisman/Subverter ship far beyond a range to move in and attack.

The combination of 1 and 2 would appear to work well.

I might have added Weapon Overloading weapons, but I have never really seen them used, and they do not seem worthwhile, given their poor range, limited damage and slow firing rate. Perhaps on starbases, satellites or weapons platforms (in Gold) this might be different.