rank 147 with:
light antiprotons x8
prototype mech
combat analyzer
vortul blast phaser
dominion cannons x4
crimson auto phaser x3
leviathan rift emitters x2

Just a quick tip: Deliberately rank up slowly, allowing you to get more research by the time you are a high rank, meaning you can upgrade your weapons quickly. The problem I currently have is the price, as I have poor mining income. (im like: 40% research, 40% artifact 20% mining) so I can't afford Quantum Disassemblers (im only rank 70), so I havent researched them, to make up for this I have 4 dominions, 3 crimson auto lasers, the psionic amp, and protomech.

The 'laughable' rank is not caused by poor weaponry.
I have a 'savage' rep, because I pk alot.
My friend has a 'feeble' rep, because he focuses on missions.
He is 10 ranks lower.
He can kill my ship without repairing.

Feeble is only one up from laughable? Savage is only one down from insane (undefeated is just impossible by rank 70, let alone rank 400)

I would recommend upgrading guns ASAP, if you can 1hk something. It saves alot of energy.

505 research/hour I get 12120 research per day.
But I still have things to research which cost less than that which I should upgrade.
I could get Q. Disassembler in 2 days, but right now, with 4 doms and 3 crimson auto lasers, I don't feel underpowered. I don't know if this works at higher ranks, but I tend to find that my attack should be atleast 10x my rank.

you only have 3 crimson auto lasers? I'm half your rank and I have 3.

I dont have any crimson auto lasers yet im a higher level and have a dyson quantum DEVASTATORS, and am up to Singularity Launchers currently working on energy

Rank 157 with
Antiproton Cannon x4
Leviathan Rift-Emitter
Psionic Amplifier
Crimson Auto-Phaser x4
Dominion Cannon x4
Lazuli Mind Controller x2
Prototype Mech XV
Combat Analyzer
I was planing on upgrading to light null rays (to invade some planet), I try to keep my ship balanced when it comes to pvp combat as well as rank ups, tho I go a more NPC combat, its (In my opinion) a good way to train before you go shooting players who might ether alert you, or retaliate. When it comes to getting the dominion cannons, if your a low rank take advantage and blow up as many players in your Battle tab, a nice little bonus plus it doesn't count towered your max weapons that you can buy, (8 Weapons Max, from the research tree).

Here's me
Rank 107
3 Disruptor Cannons
Vortul Blast Phaser
2 Crimson Auto-Lasers
Combat Analyzer
Psionic Amplifier
Prototype Mech XV

I've decided to stop researching energy as I've had Zero-Point Reactor Mark II's, and go on a huge weapons upgrade after my rep hit "Passive". For my rank, is my weaponry sufficient or get like Heavy Disruptor Cannons? Take into account I'm close to adding a Dominion Cannon as well.

This all depends on what strategy you play. Weapons are generally useful for invading planets and killing shared NPCs even if you exclusively play missions.

I play a different strategy. I kill a lot of NPCs to level up faster and get the drops. Took 5000 out to get enough terraformers to get a hyperterraformer. The massive exotic is now 15x and spewing out about 900 resource points. I also have 2 15x Very large Toxic planets and a Very Massive 13x research planet all from drops from NPCs.

Weapons are important to kill NPCs quicker and get more XP. I take out shadin chargers in 3 hits. Tough NPCs like Rogue Data Analysers (the new Dark Warpers) are dead in 10 shots with +30% on my attack from artifacts.

I'm Rank 266
4 Heavy Null Rays
4 Null Rays
2 Koreth Twin Blasters
2 Exotic Pulsers
2 Dominion Canons
4 Ion Pulse ballistaes
Combat Analyser
4 Levianth Reift Emitters
3 Lazuli Mind Controller
2 Vortul Blast Phaser
Psionic Amplifier
Combat Mech
Mylarai plasma lance

I also have a big scanner installed. These are pretty useful for increasing critical hits and reducing hacks. It's all about killing those NPCs with the least shots to rank up faster

SHip costs get very high with Null Rays and Intra-D colliders. I've pushed my mining up to fill capacity in under 9 hrs. I've started to research the next tier after null rays and will get the Light ones before I push on to the last set of relays. I don't think I'll install Supernova Generators just yet. I can put the upkeep cost saving into weapons which works for my strategy.

Repair costs were getting really high about 30 or 40 ranks ago so I've also installed 88 defensive modules. This is the best way to put players off. For NPC killing I recommend focusing on attack first but to save being attacked and reduce costs a high defense is pretty useful. At the moment my defense is higher than my attack so a lot of players don't bother to retailiate for badge hits. I'm a legion leader so end up scrapping with other players who are out to disable me. Any player can take out a mich higher ranked player if they're willing to spend enough energy. Still have a savage reputation.

Traps, of course, are also a great way to stop people attacking you.

btw - if any Rank 100+ active players are looking for a legion and a few playing tips Coadym are recruiting. We accept all types of players but I prefer NPC and PvP players.

I am the same way. I don't focus on PVP, just mainly NPC, but missions are starting to take over. I don't have big guns and I am pretty low leveled but my defense is great for my level range:

I'm Rank 105 (Sillixx Explorer: Light Dreadnaught)
Weapons: (Attack: 485)
Crimson Auto-laser
Crimson Auto-phaser
Dominion Cannon
Heavy Quantum Devastator
Light Phase Cannon - (Don't have more space to upgrade)
Vortul Blast Phaser
Prototype Mech XV

Defenses/Shields: (Defense: 1617)
4 Energy Nullifiers
Thrust Stabilizer
Light Phase Shield (Can go to Disruption Fields)

Combat Rep: Savage (224 Kills, 34 Deaths)

Rank 193 (Sillixx Builder : Leviathan)

(Attack: 3235)
Heavy Null Ray x8
Leviathan Rift-Emitter x4
Vortul Blast Phaser x3
Ion Pulse Ballistae
Lazuli Mind Controller x3
Dominion Cannon x3
Crimson Auto-Phaser
Prototype Mech XV
Combat Analyzer
Mylarai Plasma Lance x4 (Technically)

I can really afford to set it and forget it for quite some time. Toss in an NPC drop here and there and I'm confident I'll be fine.
I can 1 shot some NPC's and 3 shot most uncommons. The energy to experience ratio increases the faster you can finish them off, of course, which makes it worth it.

RANK: 87 (Battleship)

3x Light Quantum Devs.
2x Dominion Cannons
Proto. Mech

I had the Psionic Amp., but got rid of it (i be stupid
Menacing rep, and my research is crap, my planets are crap, and I rarely get NPC drops

If I were you, I'd ask Dan if I could get back the Psionic Amp. it is a really good item at 30 attack for 10 space and 60 invasion attack, you cant go wrong. But thats just me.