Is Pilum spam still viable? Since 0.8, just about anything cuts through Pilums like butter. They used to be much tougher to stop. Before 0.8, beams were mostly ineffective against Pilums, and it was easier to ships without flak to shield-tank some Pilums, vent, and repeat. Today, beams cut Pilums down fast.
Carpet of missiles is only amazing if some of them actually hit and hurt or kill things. Pilums did that in previous versions, but they were tougher to kill and faster (with old Missile Specialization) back then. Even then, they had trouble hitting. From the sounds of Wapno's test, it seems like Pilums are too easy to defend against compared to Pilums before.
4 is the biggie. Remember when ballistics had limited ammo, and everyone went to enormous lengths to use only energy equppied ships wherever possible because running out of ammo mid-fight is really as far from fun as you can get?
That was me. Ever since ballistics became unlimited, I use less high-tech ships and mostly low-tech and midline. Also, limited ballistics meant you can shield-tank and kite ballistic ships like Onslaught until they run out of ammo if you cannot beat it any other way.
It would be nice if energy weapons in general had some advantage. Unlimited ammo used to be it, but not anymore. Aside from few beams, I avoid them like the plague if the ship can use ballistics instead.
Against some missiles, especially MIRVs, sometimes Sabots, it makes sense to make the enemy waste them first, then fight when they are out.