So not true. Check the ship tree again and see R11 Minotaur, lance bartle, Nodachi A, Tiger-M and such
In some cases its actually the opposite of what you think - Lance Bartle is better than swordAE for non-gauss build due to better bonuses and extra engine slot. Nodachi A also has arguably better bonuses than wak-R
Reloading rate is often the strongest bonus. It’s one of the main reasons I like the Archdragon over the Black Dragon, despite the latter being slightly tankier on the hull. Also a reason why Lightbringers can still, on some level, compete with Sparks despite the Spark’s ludicrous damage bonus.
In many cases, the R11s can compete with the 15s. It does take some higher skill, but I’ve been killed by Nodachi A’s and similar while I was in T4s and T5s alike. Plus the Minotaur is actually substantially tankier than the Naga.