Something I'd like to do in the future is have really rare ships in the game that only show up as the flagship of a powerful NPC fleet, or possibly as a reward for reaching the upper echelons of a faction's hierarchy/completing a specific scenario. One good example would be this prototype Nevermore.
Spaceworthy, armed, and armored, the 00-series Cruiser is an exceedingly rare sight, a research hull never intended for battle, but nonetheless equipped for it. Nobody knows what became of the few remaining models that haven't been converted. Lacking the Antimatter Lance of the modern Nevermore, this curious beast still packs a massively powerful set of engines, thick armor, and a potent battery of weapons. The frontal hardpoint allows for a large weapon to be built in, and the auxiliary engines enable maneuvers that no other cruiser could possibly attempt. Of course, due to the lack of a Dimensional Engine, the ship's powerplant underperforms compared to its modern incarnation.
Spoiler
It's important to note that this isn't strictly speaking a more powerful Nevermore. It's actually less powerful, depending on what you're looking for. The point is to let the lucky (or obsessive) player have access to something unique.
Poll
757 (23.6%)