[AlexanderHowl]

There are a couple of ways to address the old 'eggshells with cannons' issue. First, you can assume that every shot with beam weapons in point defense destroys one bomb, missile, or shell without rolling, making beam weapons superior to other weapons in defense and offense. Second, you can assume that compartmentalization and redundant systems gives spacecraft Injury Tolerance (Damage Reduction) equal to (1/SM). Third, you can assume that damage control (structural repairs) functions similar to First Aid on a spacecraft (sealing holes, reinforcing bulkheads, replacing cables, etc.) and repair equivalent dHP as First Aid (x SM).

So, imagine a TL 10 SM+15 dreadnought. With a tertiary weapon battery containing 30 improved VRF laser turrets (RoF 200 each) in its central hull, it could automatically neutralize 6,000 bombs, missiles, and shells per turn without rolling. If it suffered 300 points of damage after dDR, it would only suffer 20 dHP damage due to its Damage Reduction (/15). After combat, it would heal 1d+1 × 15 dHP on a successful damage control roll, an average of 67.5 dHP.

The end result would be very robust spacecraft that could survive hours (potentially days) of battle against equivalent spacecraft. Smaller spacecraft would also have greater survivability, but they would lack the robust defenses and armor of the SM+15 spacecraft. Of course, swarm tactics could work by overwhelming the point defense of the dreadnought with sheer numbers, but that would require hundreds of fights firing thousands of missiles or shells evert turn.