This was not a battle of equals, to put it simply, it was like a frontline warship which still needed scout ships, and cruisers. However, a first-class warship did not require those, not because it was stronger, but because it had two scout ships and a cruiser onboard.
The size gap between the two sides was that vast, let alone the difference in weaponry. The power of their main guns was simply incomparable. Their main guns could not possibly break through the enemy's shield, although the enemy's main guns wouldn't destroy their warships with a single shot.
But they certainly wouldn't withstand the second shot. Most importantly, the shield could only protect against one shot from the enemy's main gun at best. Without the shield, relying solely on the armor of the warship? Do they think this is some ancient sea battle?
When the armor could be directly attacked, it was no different from crashing.
