Personally, I feel the stock Paragon Elite variant isn't representative of the paragon's true potential. The autopulse cannons aren't really necessary, because the paragon has great flux stats, the highly flux-efficient autopulse cannons fail to outweigh their low firepower. Although I prefer lancers, given their stupendous range with quad heavy blasters for close-range combat, since my flagship paragon is backed by a large and varied fleet I can afford such specialization which would otherwise come off as potentially crippling, a pair of plasma cannons will really do a number on any capital ship, and the paragon is one of the few ships that can handle their massive OP and flux costs. A battleship fitted Paragon would probably do nicely with a pair of lancers in the side slots to take out pesky small ships from afar, while the primary forward battery is equipped with the plasma cannons.
