Yes, so many things in this game are all or nothing.
I don't disagree that missles have some uses, mainly early and when dealing with small numbers of ships. And if you are going to use missles, the organic ones are the best IMHO. But for large fleet action I just personally lean more towards designs and strategies that are more all-purpose.
I find it's hard enough just keeping up with economics, military production and training. Trying to maintain different specialized fleets and working out the timing of getting them into the positions where they can maximize their impact is beyond me. I try to come up with a good solid design with a good mix of weapons, shields and PDC, inculuding sensors and training, and then just worry about "hitting them where they ain't". I'm more interested in getting my fleets into position where they outnumber the enemy in any potential battles then I am in fine-tuning the designs to exactly what I think he's got on his ships. And I don't worry about losing ships. Even losing fleets is acceptable at times if you can attrit the enemy sufficently in the process. Make him adjust his plans and then get the initiative.
This all goes back to our discussions over the years of comparing the Art of War to the Science of it. I'm more of an art guy myself.
