Hmmm...

a. No. A single weapon can fire a single ammunition which can do some damage, and the same ammunition can then also generate an explosion which can do more damage. So you can have the ammunition do lots of shield damage and then the explosion can perhaps do enough secondary hull damage to take out a ship in one go. But that's all.

b. Yes, the mass of equipment and cargo adds to the ship's mass. The difference is only noticeable if you make the total equipment mass 50% and higher of the ship mass. Then it starts to have a noticeable effect.


Roleplay: - the art of self-deceipt!