One thing - I would happily take my single Onslaught against nearly any fleet. Gauss cannons own at a range, heavy armour makes the monstrosity hard to move but pretty much friggin unkillable, extended mags (though nerfed) is insane on my weaponry, there's just so much this ship has that means it doesn't need support. I love my conquest (interesting weapon design, due to lack of resources, one side has dual hellbores and the other has dual gauss cannons - result is insane close and distance fighting, if you can wheel the damn thing around), but the stompy power that the onslaught brings is awesome.
That said, I do stick a Hypervelocity driver and heavy mauler on the rear of my ship. I've never had any problem with tempests - ever. That does however make sure they die (hypervelocity driver for shields and heavy mauler for armour and hull).
On subject of the aurora - it's not mobile enough for me, and the lack of a large energy weapon slot is crippling IMO (heavy blasters, OK, but I have a tachyon lance, autopulse, plasma cannon...), it's just like a big enforcer. Even my Astral could beat it (taken to using it, one wing of thunders to distract the enemy and they're an easy target for the hurricane MIRV's - another insane working idea).
That said, isn't the Apogee a very aggressive exploration cruiser?
