I suspect huge majority of cmdrs also don't know about or neglecting the option for 4 pips on engine, it's not only useful for boosting and running away but can fundamentally change your ship handling.



Post 2.1 against the npc you have to actually think whether to fight these npc with durability or agility (aside from firepower that is), for example if you are fighting high ranking pirate lord in his conda alone while you are in more agile ship, you actually have the option to fight him with 4 pips to engine and 2 pips to weapon instead of 1-1-4 pips or 4-0-2 pips.



In ghe later scenarios you might be able to deal more damage in shorter time or tanking more damage, however due to the lack of power to your engine you also put more risk at getting shot, and these may result in the illusion that the AI able to out turn you in his supposedly less agile ship. What probably actually happened was that the AI dared to risk his shield and use 4 pips to their engine to out turn you while you were doing the opposite. (though I still think that the AI does cheat in some of their maneuvering ability but that is based on my observation mainly concerning their strafing)