Looks like I have a bit trouble with explaining myself here (surprise, surprise).
I am not a fan of missiles because I like fighters better. Missile ships are indeed both expensive and useless in large battles, but early in the game they will win one-on-one battles with DUC ships. So the thing they can do for you are early claiming of systems and forcing the other guy to use larger fleets (running convoys). If not most of what fighters can do, at least its some
Winning in SEIV is all about economics. While (early) fighters (and even more so, missiles) are weak against a well prepared fleet, the fact that you have them is the key to victory. Get your enemy paranoid and make him waste more resources than you do and you are already halfway there.
The secret to fighters is like that old song “the Gambler” (hope Gryphin or the Tabby don’t see this post or I will never hear the end of it
)
You've got to know
When to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away,
Know when to run.
BTW:
I dished WPs and Sats earlier. Will nobody step up an defend their honor ?