Simple early game build(Kestrel, normal difficulty)

[Triplefox]

I haven't progressed to the end yet(getting much closer), but I'm getting reliable results from these steps so I thought I'd share them:

1. Always assign crew to pilot and engines; shields or weapons can be reallocated situationally.
2. Build up two bars in shield ASAP. Most of the enemies in sectors 1 and 2 will only be able to touch you with missiles once you do this - it's a more reliable average damage result than investing in engines and hoping you can dodge enough. Plus if you choose to exploit enemies with no missiles, you can train the crew's dodge bonus instead.
3. Then add some energy so that you can fight with level 2 shielding without gutting every other system.
4. Then add a level to sensors. The enemy crew AI can often be led into a deathtrap once you're able to see where they're moving - and against small crews, you may be able to end battles with crew kills alone.
5. At this point you can specialize depending on what items you've gained and what sectors are coming up. Assuming good luck, you probably have at least one useful item and some extra scrap to throw around as you start sector 3.

[jamotide]

After shields 2 save scrap for drone control, it often comes included with def drone 1, then you are invulnerable.