NPCs are scary on the server. For every faction.
Versing 5 Bounty Hunter Destroyers isnt as fun as it was in 4.84. Now they are upgraded with shields, Razors, Missiles, Pulses and Basics. All Chainfirng them with uber aim. Rip apart even a BS in no time. Even worse is the Corsair Osiris's. :(
Do the low paying missions in Gamma. They usually face you off with Level 12 Hammerheads mostly. Not the scary Level 19's.
If having troubles or want to speed things up use missiles. They work very VERY well against NPCs when they have no shields.