Here it is !Hey! How about an in-game config for this mod that allows us to select 'difficulty' level or the random spread factors?
http://xelerus.de/index.php?s=mod&id=126
Pick one of the three modified ships (just added the item in the cargo bay), and ingame "use" the Difficulty Selector Item, and you will cycle between Easy, Normal and Hard mode!
The Difficulty level affects the probability of shields on a ship, the level of the weapon and its enhancement probability.
You can use it at Eridani and play through the game with the chosen difficulty, or use it anytime to affect random Encounters and Reinforcements ships ! 8)
The ships are on a separate file, so you can always get rid of them, add the switch item to your favourite modded ship and play.
You always need Weapons Extended Mod to play with this:
http://xelerus.de/index.php?s=mod&id=83
[EDIT] The game starts in Normal Difficulty Mode.