I am still intrigued by the option of loading an Absolution Distortion Scattergun fixed on the nose of the Vanguards. All the 'Guards are most vulnerable at close range where a true dogfighter can use its agility to get away from the Vanguard's nose, but the scattergun fires across an arc, and it does so much distortion damage, that if only say 1/5 of the shot lands, any small target is still going to be disabled. The mere fact any given 'Gaurd could be carrying one, ought to make dogfighters think twice about closing on them.
Check out this guy flying the Absolution on a Warden. The blue flashes are the 4 lasers in the nose. The Absolution is a red flash and it looks like every time he uses it against a Vanduul, it's a one-shot kill.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-mMoW_R2uY
Be afraid. Be very afraid.