: Selling scrap at a station for credits and then buying upgrades is often safer and just as cost-effective as upgrading directly with scrap in deep space.
: Many powerful, low-energy weapons are hidden in "undiscovered" sectors. Don't rush in a straight line; explore to find unique gear that reduces your overall energy requirement. Guide :: Making the Impossible, Possible - Steam Community
: Difficulty scales based on your bounty level and time spent in a sector. To "farm" early on, stay near a friendly space station to repair hull damage in small increments (10 damage at a time); this allows you to pass days safely until bounty spawns more manageable ships for scrap.