@ grinningsphinx: Just did a quick test of SS+ (for the first time in over a year, in devmode), and although the enemy is either a bit smarter or less cowardly, and some of the skills weakened, the SS+ simulator is not much harder than standard, if sticking with the original lineup. Enemies are still vulnerable to corner cheese. Capitals with sufficient range can hide there and murder ships in SS+ almost as easily as in vanilla. (Almost due to weakened skills.) I bet much of the extra challenge in SS+ comes from the campaign where things are... different, or so it seems.
I agree that SS+ is a different game, or at least has different rules, which is a reason why I have little interest in it, for now.
Yes, Tachyon Lances hurt if they hit armor or hull. They are still no match for a sufficiently powerful shield, and their DPS is not so great.
When I test a faction mod, I test that mod only, except I might add Nexerelin if only to have more markets to buy ships and weapons from. I test mods compared to vanilla, without interference from additional factions. I bet most factions would receive a huge power boost if I include Templars or Neutrino. (Templars to me is less of a boss faction mod and more of a booster pack to make my ships even more overpowered once their loot becomes mine.)