[dogscoff]

It also depends on your racial traits and overall strategy. For example, I like to create a race with a high defensive modifer, then pump research into ECM, armour and fleet/ ship training facilities.

A highly trained, fleeted frigate with max ECM, stealth & scattering armour and a high racial comabat bonus won't have much room for firepower (1 Meson bLaster or 1 ripper beam) but it's pretty much unhittable with direct fire weapons - even fighters will have a hard time. Build a few with PDC instead of offensive weapons as well and keep them in a tight formation and you won't have to worry about seekers either. Mix in a few larger, heavily armoured ships with shield skipping weapons to soften up the enemy and you'll have a pretty formidable combination.

If, on the other hand, you've spent your points on crystal tech, you'll probably tend to lean toward larger hulls, to benefit from the crystal armour / shield combination effects.