Maybe I'm a scrub, but where is the meaty mass of frigates? They can be very effective against anti-cruiser units and the sheer number of them can basically force the enemy to build up their supply of anti-frigate forces.

Frigate swarms are surprisingly deadly without a counter as many of the heavy weapons available can't target them.

It comes down to efficiency. Because Cruisers are more durable, things like healing and regeneration have a greater effect. As well, a Cruiser at 10% health still has 100% of its damage potential; Losing 90% of your Frigates loses 90% of their damage potential.

I don't think it has to do with being a scrub or anything, it's just a different way of looking at the problem. Personally, I also go the Cruiser route, because I prefer to keep individual armies alive as long as possible, and that's just a little easier with Cruisers.

Frigates are good early but they can get countered by large amounts of dedicated anti-frigate units such as Zeus/Avenger/Drone Hive, not to mention Orbitals. Frigates don't scale well into the late game, and that's fine, players are supposed to be teching up and getting more advanced units. Though, frigates remain a harassment option due to fast movement speed and high damage vs buildings for their cost.

But if your opponent lacks any anti-frigate unit, then going for them is always a good idea.