Vanilla, meaning without mods? Or the original game without expansions (the community sometimes uses vanilla for both, even though thats confusing for everyone).

Either way, there are a number of ways that can happen. If you're severely outgunned and without proper support ships frigates won't last long. There are also a number of strong abilities on capitalships and titans that can do strong area of effect damage. If you were next to a TEC starbase they also can blow themselves up for a ton of damage. We really need to know what you were fighting to give any sort of sound advice.

Thanks for your help, guys! Forgive me for the scant details. I had no business posting on the forum at 4am

I was playing the game without the expansions (or mods for that matter.) Both the AI and myself were TEC. His fleet consisted of a couple dozen light frigates and as many missile frigates. He had roughly ten Percheron carriers, and as many command cruisers. I believe there were two dreadnought capitals, and about eight robotic repair cruisers. He also had a smaller compliment of flak cruisers. There were no stationary defenses nearby.

I know it's not as simple as being outgunned. I think his fleet was slightly larger, but what was remarkable is that every one of my frigates' icons in the command tree on the left lit up simultaneously, indicating they were receiving damage. And I watched as, simultaneously, their hp melted to almost nothing within a matter of 3 seconds.

This game could really use a quick fleet battle mode to more easily experiment with the various ships and their capabilities.

snoopy if you want to try out fleets and stuff try playing online with someone who doesn't mind doing the same.

Level 6 Ultimate. And now level 8 with Rebellion. Nasty!