The friends have discovered another reason I like ring runner so much: You can make absolutely crazy stuff with the ship customization. There's a piece of equipment that gives you energy when you take damage, and another that partially converts incoming damage into energy loss instead of hurting your shields. Good combo.
I'm working on a ship that sets a bunch of stationary bombs, but rather than waiting for enemies to wander into them as per usual, picks up other ships and pitches them straight into the minefields.