[Arkcon]

Romulus68 said:
Rocket Pods means you must get to range 2 and I'm getting shot up far away. I only have Rocket Pods 1, will they get more range with higher levels?

IIRC, they get up to range 3 at max level. You're looking to make many small fighter groups of these, perhaps groups of 3, and let their considerable punch wreck ships after they've at least some groups have survived point defense.

Medium fighters are probably the most viable. They have moderate innate defense, and you can augment with ECM and shields.