[Baron Munchausen]

The classic use, extremely effective in SE III but not so much so in SE IV, is to place them 'around' a short-range weapon like the Ripper beam. The order that weapons are placed in a ship determine the order that those weapons are fired (not considering range limits of course). So, this was a way to over-come the range limits of the Ripper beam or another short range but very powerful weapon like the Graviton Hellbore. Putting a tractor beam first results (hopefully) in the target being pulled into range, then they get mauled by the short-range but very powerful weapon(s), then putting repulsor beam Last results in the mauled target getting pushed back out to long range where their own weapons are less effective. This is only useful in 'turn based' combat of course. It will be a completely ineffective strategy in SE V.