game_876 - I've sent 5(!) Dread Stars to clear a Marauder's base, and almost loose one. If I'd sent 3 - they probably wouldn't make it. Perhaps DS needs more SuperHeavy hardpoints (to put one into each - instead of three), and a number of Light ones (additionally) - to mount missile defense systems.
Speaking of missile defense - right now the Defense Turbolaser is the best one. Do you plan PD weapons in the higher tech tiers?