Basically the way I’d see various classes (Note with custom hardpoints)
Heavy Fighter - More Slots on a normal fighter, slower.
Carrier - More Normal Slots but fewer weapon slots, all about supporting your fighters and providing antifighter support for your other ships.
Battleship - One Heavy Weapon Hardpoint, tons of weapons, low normal points.
Dreadnaught - Two or Three Heavy Weapon Hardpoints, tons of weapons, low normal points, epitome of power.
Heavy Weapon Hardpoints would be like the giant main guns on a realistic naval battleship, huge beam weapons or such that just unload pain at a slow rate of fire with heavy hitting.