Gauss cannons are also horribly expensive on flux, whereas Pathers use a lot of low-tech stuff so something like Mjolnir could work better, or even HAG when you're pairing it with kinetics.
You need the medium mounts to put out pressure at range, that's what the Conquest is good at. Save small energy for PD, and expect to catch torpedos with shields.
Fleet compositions with or without S-Mods are not that different. You just have the expensive and essential mods moved to S-tier and might get an extra luxury mod or two. Whereas earlier in the game you might forgo most mods for just ITU & either Hardened Shields or Heavy Armor.
That fleet screenshot has a lot of Wolves, which are weak frigates. Griffins can't tank either, and Falcon (P)'s are kind of in the middle. I've only ever used those as full-missile boats. The low-tech destroyers and Moras can tank some - are they set up to? Lose at least 4 Wolves and get a Dominator, or an Apogee, or an Eagle. Something that can punch and take punches. Try to replace the last Wolves with Tempests, an Omen or two, another Afflictor. Your Sunders have 2 Gravs and a Plasma Cannon, I would consider switching that for HIL so the 3 forward mounts work in unison. It's a great glass (not all that glassy when built right) cannon loadout whereas PC forces closer engagements. The 2 side mounts on Enforcers are perfect for Single Flak, that ups the defensive game a lot compared to Vulcans. They also work well with Shield Shunt and Armor boosts if the rest of the fleet can pick up some of the heat.
