Also confirmed in the Illum vs. Assailant thread, it seems the "steps" of the mitigation formula can make weaker weapons actually stronger. Something for IC to look at, I think.

In a future patch, I would also like some kind of a visual display / chart showing the firing arcs and DPS distribution of ships. Not that big a deal but would help, as your example points out.

Agreed - in 1.05 when I played TEC I almost always went Kol first, and often targetted it manually to maximise damage when first expanding. Once there is a fleet is support I didn't bother so much...

Haven't done it since then as I now play Vassari a lot more and if I do go TEC I get the Marza first anyway...

the Evacuator is weak???

oh abilities arent counted NM

This is a good strategy and as was addressed in my thread, microing your placements can make a huge difference.  I have had one three illuminators clear a desert planet (the one without kodiaks of course).  One illuminator can easily defeat three LRM's if maneuvered properly.  The primary reason for this is the side cannons and the damage distribution that effects mitigation less.

As far as the Kol goes, yes it is awesome.  You can just throw it into the middle of the first few worlds you find and win without any trouble.

(Oh and for the record, Marzas are best once you have to actually go to war.  That is once you hit a contested world and actually start fighting an opponent rather than just militia.  Kols are the best to begin with while Marzas are the best second one with Dunovs after that.)