[Nitram Draw]

Swarms of little ships early in the game have given me fits before.
There would probably be a point where you would have to increase the size of your horde ship.
Early in a game I'm sure a swarm of frigates could take out 1/3-1/2 their number of CA"S especially if you opponent doesn't have a very advanced multiplex tracker.
I think once you are facing BB's and larger you definately would need larger ships to begin doing some damage because you would need the large mounts, unless you went with a kamikazi swarm of escorts and frigates! Even against DN's you can do well with BC's, if you outnumber them and you fight tactical.