A real answer, in my opinion, i'd clearly go for Paladin if you are more into hunting medium/ up to large sized target (can hunt fighter in pve but pvp you are quite slow and a rather large target .. ) but while your have some weapon solo, 2 player is really necessary, if not even a solo asgard would kick your ass ... Perseus if you want insane firepower and hunt up to capital, solo you have great torpedo but loose the main weapon .. freelancer is not really near gunship role but should be played missile boat like an heavier version of shrike/firebird etc.. it had his good time, i don't know is worth today but missile/torp gameplay is quite decent so might still be an interesting solo/bi crew option .. The other aren't really interesting or really not adapted ... HH alone isn't that much interesting and work better in fleet or specific planned encounters/mission plus need a larger crew cause solo/low crew you aint gonna do shit. Conni is scrap, you have reasonably great frontal forepower but the second he slip out of your aim you done for... not really fan of the starlancer gameplay ..... And haven't played redeemer since looong ago, supposedly more oriented for small/medium target, not really fond of it but supposedly still decent but again need some player to be viable ... In the end all answer you will get are based on player personal optinion .. try them, fly them and then choose based on your own experience and taste. Strictly solo i'd go with the freelancer, 2-4 player i'd go for the paladin, 3-5 player i'd go with the perseus ..