Normally, in peace time with the AI, I have a standing fleet of 2-20 active ships. During war time, I expand my fleet by 200 times that by unmothballing and retrofitting ships into combat modes.
I tend to follow FDR military style that says a greater number of small ships can overwhelm a smaller number of larger capital ships.
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HADRIAN
AVENTINE
pacea@solar-outpost.com
http://www.hyperionbase.com