What is it that causes shots that appear to have hit not register?

Dropped packets/severe lag. The ship you're shooting at isn't where your client thinks it is, so you're not damaging it.

Also, some ships have (or at least have had in the past) small "dead zones" where they are resistant to damage because of the way the damage model works. I'm not sure whether this is still the case.

It seems like I often benefit from this. Is my ship not where the client thinks it is?

hmm, the client knows where your ship is , the server knows where your ship was the last time its position was updated. Similarly the server knows where your target is , the client displays it at the position it was last informed of .

Sometimes hits don't register even if they hit, I think it's a combination of dropped packets/lag and collision model issues.

A lot of the time I'm just letting you think you hit me too, but in actuality I'm not letting you hit me. I'm trying to help build your self esteem.

*bump*

This still troubles me; Volleys splash against my imaginary hull, and then nothing. It almost inspires more guilt than I can take..

So others are hitting you and you're not getting damaged?

If they are in your faction, this is normal. You won't get damaged.

It's somewhat rare, but that's what it looks like on my screen. I dunno what others see.

And Ign.. dude.

What? I just thought that maybe... Never mind. The point is that its fixed now. I just thought that it could also have been that... STOP LOOKING AT ME FUNNY!