has anyone noticed that in the stats of some ships, 'heavy turbolaser' is used as well as just 'turbolaser?' what is the difference? does the game reflect any difference?

No, I can't say that I have... If you're referring to the Turbolaser and the Lasercannon, then I would be a lot clearer on the matter... that is, I would be a lot clearer as to what you're talking about. If you ask me the difference is in effectiveness: lasercannons are effective against fighters.

Yeah, The higher stats on Lasers allows the Capital ship to be an effective AntiFighter ship. Good turbolasers allow the Capital ship to be effective against other Capital ships, Pviddy.

And what is the ION cannon? More than a Turbo - or LASERcannon apart from the damage on ship systems?

I believe its more like Turbolaser but iam not sure.

Ion cannons only damage shields, if you ask me...

Realy??

I thought it damages shipsystems

I think that, in this case, it's roughly the same...

I think that, in this case, it's roughly the same...

No No ship systems are Weaponrecharge, Shieldrecharge, Engins and so on

Well you said youreself Ion cannons effect shields like Scath said, they also however, effect weapons and engines which scath forgot. So in a sense you are both right.

Ion Cannons disable shields, engines, tractor beams, hyperdrive, but do not do any hull damage...

Ion Cannons disable shields, engines, tractor beams, hyperdrive, but do not do any hull damage...

This is such a typical thing for the FAQ, don't you agree?

I thought it was described in the manual

You may be right. However, since we claim to be the most extensive website on Rebellion around and because manuals get lost (not to mention that, manual or no, the question comes up in these forums), I feel it makes good FAQ-material.

You forgot that there are also some player that didn't use the manual at all.

You're right as to the FAQ material.