weaons and weapon defense tech/ lethality question

[Gizmet]

In Time World, if I'm attacking a player with 1 of each weapon type equipped to my ships, and that player has laser defense equipped to his ships, is that defense tech just as effective against my ships as it would be if I had four lasers equipped?

Also, if I understand correctly, lethality only effects whether ships are repaired or damaged in battle. So since it doesn't effect damage, it won't have an impact on whether you win or lose, and for gem bosses/ pillars, it would have no effect. Am I mistaken about this?