I am not here often but I will give you what advice I can.
So how could I introdoce other weapons? Just in case I would like to try that?
To add new weapons or to modify existing ones is rather easy on a modern FSO build - as you can use modular tables (
wiki) to overwrite the data in the existing tables.
More on Tables in the
WikiTo introduce new weapons or modify existing ones, refer to the weapons.tbl page in the wiki:
https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/Weapons.tblTo alter most properties of a ship, refer to the ship.tbl page in the wiki:
https://wiki.hard-light.net/index.php/Ships.tbl(Note: that not all properties of a ship, e.g. the number of turrets, can be alted via the tables; these need to correspond to data in the .pof file for the ship, aka its model)
Before you make alterations to existing ships however, it is recommended that you create your own mod (rather easy with Knossos) so the changes don't "spill over" into unrelated content.
I am sorry but I don't have the time to walk you step by step through the process of doing that. But you should be able to find the information in FS Tools board or just ask.
Are they already in the Fred? Can I just swap them? If so what would be good ones so Destroyers are the real deal but not over the top overpowered?
Unfortunately, there are no unused weapons in FRED you can easily swap to for that. At least not with the FS1 weapons set.
But you can load FRED with a mod and use what they have no offer though. It should be easy enough with Knossos (literally two clicks).
Once you added your own to weapons.tbl via modular tables, they should appear in FRED for you to swap in - or you can override the weapon defaults of the ships.tbl with the respective modular table as well.
Side note - Speaking of FRED, it does have a few additional screws you can try when you want your capital to capital engagements go just right - e.g. buffing turret fire rates, swapping out weapons on the fly etc.
what me really bothers is like the Orion vs Typhoon thing. The where side to side to each other (so broadside for the Orion), yet the Orion got destroyed with only making 5 % damage on the Typhoon at all this time.
The Orion's broadside capabilites are better when it can use some the multibarreled turrets (turret01a-05a) - but these cannot angle the barrels below a certain angle. So often it will just use the three point defense turrets on the side facing a target in a broadside position (maybe one of those on the top or bottom of the ship).
If I am allowed to be shamelessly self referential - there is a video of an older build of the fourth Mission of
Hellgate: Ikeya which features an Orion going up against a Demon:
https://youtu.be/TrM7SmHoMF4?t=528It featues slightly adjusted weapons for the Orion (added range to all turrets, added burst fire to the heavy guns) and an advanced rework of the Demon to turn into into a missile destroyer.
But more relevant, if you look from 8:48 onwards you can see that I angled the Galatea to use its upper turrets rather than a broadside against the Orcus, so the ship visually brings more fire power to fight. It is just a little rotation but gets the Orion into a much more effective position.
Speaking of being referrential, do check out
Between the Ashes and
Series Resurrecta for referrence on using the FS1 era destroyers in battles. (Full disclosure: I am part of the SerRes-team)