I think it's fighters that are the better SC against LRFs. Also, using scouts can be a bit risky since they're near useless against everything else.

I'd say fighters are better since if foe do have fighters/bombers too, it might help repell them if needed. And they seems to do the job quickier than bombers on LR frigs, especially TEC ones.

Fighters definitly are more powerful against LR frigs. Beware, that they mostly target other fighters/bombers first, so you have to micromanage them to focus the frigs instead of the enemy strikecrafts.

I've also tested spamming hangars at chokepoint worlds, it is quite effective, but against a smart foe, you'll have to be very reactive.

On smaller maps there's only one way to do it: Fight rock with rock: Simply have more long range ships than your enemy. Especially for Vasari this shouldn't be too hard thanks to your Navigators capturing the neutral mines early on.

Options are slim against long range frigate spammers.

A seasoned Vet at this game's best option is to just build more long range frigates than his opponent, tech up more, and utilize his capital ships properly to win the war.

When you see a long range frigate spam, the reaction with Vasari is different. Unfortunately, the only ships you get early on in decent numbers include Scouts, Basic Assault Frigates, Assailants and flak.

Long range frigates counter BA frigs. They're out.

Flak don't do that much damage to long range frigates. I realize a lot of people use this but from experience I find it easily defeatable. They're out.

Vasari scouts, unlike TEC and Advent, suck in combat. Don't mass Vasari scouts against a long range frigate spam. Your scouts are for getting neutrals. Period.

For Vasari, that leaves massing Assailants. Want a tip? Mass your fleet together, and go hit his capital ship(s) with nanite bombs from the space egg. At the same time target it with your Assailants. Vasari can take out Capital ships ungodly quickly and early in any game.

Fighters are a reasonable option. As long as you keep your carriers running, long range frigates will never catch the actual carrier. The second you see flak though you're in trouble. Flak level fighters.

Bombers are terrible against long range frigates. they do -50% damage against them. Fighters do +100%. Choice is obvious.

I recommend a body of long range frigates SUPPORTED by fighters from carriers. Mix in the carrier cap that has the health cloud when possible. Really helps Vasari strikecraft.

TEC and Advent can get away with scout spams. 3 scouts from either race will beat an Assailant or an Illuminator. 2 from either will beat an LRM. The problem is you gotta make a lot of them. That and they do -75% damage against anything that doesn't have light armor.

I say 3 and 2 respectively because 3 scouts = 6 ship slots, 1 Illum= 6 ship slots, and so on.