I think there must be some discrepancy over ballistic shield penetration. I was under the impression that 60% of ballistic damage always goes through the shields, and that energy weapons 100% goes to shields until they are down. Are you saying this is not true?
I am extremely impressed with the Tana since the rework. I'm convinced it is the best starter fighter and has benefits way past what people presume.
First of all, so far as I am aware it is the stealthiest ship in game. Combined with 20 S2 missiles this makes it a shadow assassin's dream come true. Starting bounty hunters will love this ship. Equipped with a Snowblind and a Slipstream, this ship has an EM sig of just 128. I'm pretty sure this is the lowest in game by a wide margin. All the missiles make this advantage enormous. Think about what sort of ship or pilot can manage with 16k damage incoming and just 2-3 seconds warning.
Secondly, the selection of 6 S2 guns is extraordinary. Currently I suggest all Scorpions until the pilot is proficient then switch to Sledge's. Either way that is a ton of firepower for any pilot.
Thirdly, it not only has beds but it has a second seat. That means you can use this bird to train NPCs as turret gunners once their released. That is a huge big deal. Even if you never use the NPC as a turret gunner in the Tana, just having access to a top-tier turret gunner is really nice, and if you intend to upgrade one day from the Tana to a Sentinal, you'll want that gunner.
Forthly, the Reliant has a fuel refueling probe that has never been mentioned in any other frame. It appears this is the perfect escort for Star Farers. Whether hired on as escort or piloted by an NPC for the gas miner owner, this is a good choice. Even given NPC escort pilots are very limited in their abilities, one suspects the AI for their missiles will be the same, and the Tana has a lot of missiles.
It used to be the 325 was considered an upgrade from the Tana, and now the Tana is considered an upgrade from the 325. Personally I would not want to be in a Prowler with a Tana hunting me. I think the Prowler would lose that exchange, especially since it has no missiles and no countermeasures.