Out of curiosity, with the 80 speed and 1.0 shield reduction for the Odyssey, what is its distinguishing characteristic versus the Conquest now? Basically just 2 fighter wings? It used to be the Odyssey was a better tank, but had less offense because of its energy weapon load out and slower average speed.
There's about a 800 effective hit points difference between a Conquest's base shield and an Odyssey's base shield with the 1.0 multiplier, and the Odyssey really doesn't have the spare OP to put more points into flux capacitors to take advantage of the shield ratio. The Conquest's time averaged speed is 70 (manuevring jets adds +50 about half the time) versus the Odyssey's 80. The Conquest's effective 315 OP + 40 dedicated Large Ballistics OP lets it grab just as many useful hull mods the Odyssey if it fills both sides equally with weapons, more if it doesn't.
An Odyssey can get 3 large energy weapons in arc along a thin line, while a Conquest can get 2 Large and 2 medium ballistics in arc comfortably.
The high energy focus can briefly make that seem like 4.5 large energy weapons, but I'd argue 2 Large and 2 medium ballistics are just as good when high energy focus is up, and better when its down. Two large missile launchers seem to help as much as two fighters wings in the short term, at least in a 1 on 1 duel against larger ships. Certainly I think Squall MLRS can be compared to Longbows against other cruisers or capitals.
The Odyssey's fighters wings seem to do a better job of chasing down lone frigates than the missiles.
Also while playing around, I've discovered non-officer setups of the Conquest which look to beat the standard and elite Onslaughts 100% of the time when both are AI piloted (in addition it seems to defeat every Odyssey setup run by the AI I've tried). For example, 2x Gauss Cannons, 2x Hellbore, 2x Hypervelocity, 2x Heavy Mauler, 2x Squall, 2x Sabot SRM pod, x8 Tactical lasers, Dedicated Targeting Core, Stabilized Shields, Hardened Shields, rest in vents then capacitors, 315 OP used. By not including short range PD, the AI is smart enough not to close with the Onslaughts, and it has enough shield to survive the burn drive and maneuvering jet out of the way. Throwing it against carriers also works surprisingly well despite its lack of actual "PD". The tac lasers actually kill fighters rather than trying to kill the ammunition they drop. Up against 2 sim Herons, it seems to win. 2 sim Moras on the other hand is very close. Once its armor is bumped to 1200, and talons are nerfed, it should win regularly against that match up I think.
I've come to a much better appreciation of the Conquest through all this testing. I'll need to aim for it more often in play throughs.