For an overview over different Ship Loadout threads, please look here.
Note: The following analysis applies to pre-Engineer builds. With the introduction of Engineers, a lot stuff like power issues and thermal problems can be solved through good engineering, making previously unusable builds quite capable.
If you like the Vulture, you might also want to check out the FAS.
The Vulture is an extremely powerful yet power hungry bird. Therefore, power management is quite delicate.
Let me share my experiences.
GENERAL:
A grade Power Plant, A grade Power Distributor.
DEFENSIVE
I have read that a D5 Shield Gen coupled with Shield Boosters is only as power demanding as better Shield Gens and Shield Cells. So far I was astonished how well the coupling of D5 SG with 2xA and 1x B Shield Boosters do work. No power issues. With a Plasma Acc/Pulse loadout, I only have to deactivate the B Shield Booster.
Any experiences with such shield efficiency calculations?
OFFENSIVE
All Class 3.
Burst g/Burst g:
Too power hungry. Issues even with 4 pips in Weps.
Pulse g/Pulse g or /Burst g:
Just too easy. Pops everything in a good time. No power issues.
Pulse g/Burst g:
Just too easy. Pops everything even faster.
For fastkilling-only I prefer a combo of C3 Burst (G) and C3 Pulse (G). You might consider creating two fire groups, one with both on primary plus KWS in secondary (not in CZ of course) and one with Pulse and Burst separately. So you can empty your weapon capacitor, then switch and either do much damage with continuous Burst-only, without Capacitor recharge, or continuously Pulse-only, with lower effect but slowly recharging Capacitor.
Anyway, a disco Vulture is really a grinding machine. Fast killer, not much fun.
Burst g / Cannon g:
Much fun, especially with good shot placement (Cannon after shields are down). Pops Power Plants like a charm. Very satisfying *boom* and explosions. Drawback: I always run out of ammo with cannons.
In RES: Is better when Solo hunting in a RES and using the cannon exclusively on big targets,m but even then.
In CZ: Reload issue and number of targets makes it quite unusable.
In Wings: Simply too quickly out of ammo, leaving me with just one laser or the option to head out and reload.
Pulse g / Plasma:
A real charm. Requires good skills to aim properly, also requires to claw into the target and stick to it really close (or "play golf" / WWI torpedo submarine style of course), I like it. Sticking really close should also earn your opponent some friendly fire if other ships start targeting you.
Power use through firing is not an issue since I try to place single well-placed shots, not steams of projectiles.
Reloading is therefore not a big issue as well, contrary to the Cannon. Those 100 shots take you a long way when saving them for the really big fish.
Drawback: Enormous heat output means that even when pulling the trigger the first time, you might get Thermal Overload, meaning the weapon does not fire -- you really have to keep your target in your sights for some time until the shot is finally released. No idea how to manage the thermal issue better.
In RES: Either reduce shield power (disabling Shield Cells/Shield Boosters, therefore Cells might be better if you have to do a runner). Or save energy somehow else.
In CZ: Fine. Since I can disable the Kill Warrant Scanner, I only need to disable a B Shield Booster, keeping 2 A class Boosters still active.
In Wings: Fine. You are the one getting really really close to the opponents, so a wingman with distance friendly weaponry (lasers) is perfect. Also perfect if he/she can take care of anything coming up at the tail.
Besides, you can take the role of Target Control: Since you have to get close to be most effective, you want to do attack runs only on juicy targets. So it is a good role to be the one who assigns targets -- stay at a distance and flick through all targets in sensor range before assigning the best target to the wing. Meanwile, you wingmen can hunt and shoot minor targets with their distance weapon loadouts.
EDIT Great, thanks for the hint Innocentius. I will try that!