what weapons would you recommend for a starter ship?

[bcasner50]

Right now I've upgraded to steel cannons but there's such a selection! What would you veterans recommend for armament?

[Duneman]

There are a few things to consider. Fancier weapons like rockets, torpedoes and mines can be very ammo intensive. You should compare their damage performance to the ammo consumed per shot. The smaller ones like Kinetic Rocket Rails or Wasp Rockets aren't too bad, given their status as starter weapons.

On a related defensive note, it is helpful to have some 'interception' weapons, which can shoot down the items listed above, and will attack hostile riders. You don't encounter riders too often at the start. But, when you do, have a smaller interception weapon pointed at the rear of your vessel. Riders like to target that point. You can also consider a larger scale interception weapon that doubles as an offensive tool, like a Repeater. This will shoot down heavier torpedoes or riders from a greater distance(it has a narrow range of fire though, so not so good for any AI escort ships you bring).

One thing that can help you sort things out is to purchase the special 'Insight' items found in the goods shops of whatever place counts as a regional center for that area. Then you can open your Journal, tab over the Shopping LIst section, click the option box to show untracked items, and filter for ship parts. That lets you see all the parts in the game, and will show if any place is currently selling them; if they're locked behind a faction shop you cannot use yet it won't show up on the list of 'Sellers'.

At the start it can be helpful to purchase a slightly larger ship to try out weapons. The Victory Falcon Light Frigate is a nice stable option. It's only 50,000 gold to purchase and can be loaded with dozens of weapons. This lets it go toe to toe with heavier vessels so long as their weapon loadout isn't too focused.

[Aieonae]

A bunch of "blaster" type cannons can help in crew damage. Which in turn helps in boarding for ship capture.

[Raymond]

any guns with more than 280 range. Once you get to Laventum, start slapping interceptor weapons on your ship.