How does the First Order, which I think is just an extremist group on the fringes of the galaxy (TFA was unclear about this but I've read some wiki) manage to be stronger than the Empire at its peak? All of their stuff is far bigger and more powerful
They bought bigger shit and hired more dudes. What the fuck did you think was the answer?
quality over quantity
Empire had dozens of super star destroyers
Pimp Daddy Snoke plays 5D Dejarik and invests that same money and resources into one larger mobile shipyard and fortress