I seem to recall in the vehicle section of EofE you could get back a hard point by removing a weapon. Am I just imagining things or is that how it works? So if I grab a vehicle strait from one of the books that has a weapon and remove it do I free up a HP or am I just out a weapon?

I think the ruling was if you install the exact same weapon type you get a HP, like a twin linked for a twin linked, but if it's different it costs a HP? Honestly it was all overthought for my tastes and I just allow weapons to removed and a HP gained. Hasn't seemed to reverse gravity or cause any nuclear explosions at my table...

The wording is that replacing a weapon doesn't use a Hard Point. In the end its in the GM's hands, personally i think of weapons systems as more the just the gun on the outside of the hull, there are control, servicing and power systems within the ship that are either removed or re-purposed. So to me i'm happy to sit down with the group and "Remodel" a ship.

I see nothing game breaking with pulling off a gun or two for some extra hard points. If I were your GM, you would have my blessing.

I see nothing game breaking with pulling off a gun or two for some extra hard points. If I were your GM, you would have my blessing.

Wait until you see it done with a capital ship that has dozens of weapons.

I let my players do it and it's worked out fine. Even on a Sil. 5 ship. They've got a CR90 that had its Starboard side cannons removed to make room for a hanger bay. Gives their ship a unique look and hasn't imbalanced anything as far as I've seen.