I suppose a simpler way to phrase the question, is how does the splash damage work?  The ability has a radius when you mouse over it, what's that for?

Yes, The Vorastra gets splash damage with the desperation ability. In this case, each and every weapon on it will trigger the extra damage. So whenever any target gets hit by the Vorastra, it and any ships nearby it will take that damage on the info card. Considering the Vorastra has 4 weapons that can fire on multiple targets in every direction, each of which will apply splash damage, it can add up.

I just don't feel that the Vorastra has the potency of titans like the Eradica, Ragnorav, Kultorask or Coronata. They all have some killer fleet wrecking moves (I'm aware the Vorastra has "the maw" but you don't get that until level 6. Whereas the Eradica is wiping fleets all day spamming its Chastic Blast). Am I missing something? Is it more of a utility ship with the microphase and the ability to spawn inhibs?

I wouldn't include the Coronata in that top titan list personally but that's a quibble - some of them are more support oriented and the VL titan is one. It's basically a mobile command centre with the Loyalist specific techs. It really shouldn't be as strong offensively considering the perks it has in other areas. It doesn't spawn phase inhibitors, they are phase nodes that allow you to connect up long distance phase lanes with other nodes and to warp in Dark Fleet ships as you need them.  

Right, nodes, I simply mistyped.  I guess I just wish it was as dominant on the combat scene as the other titans.  But that's simply wishful thinking and probably doesn't work into balance.  I would totally be okay with The Maw healing the titan instead of giving me money.

On a side note, I did get to use The Maw against an advent player yesterday and I believe I simply didn't give it enough credit.  I just microphased around the well until maw was ready, then I'd eat half of his fleet.  Or microphase to the back and suck up all of his drone hosts.  It is a pretty big game changer.

Yeah the maw is sweet, but it has to rely on Desperation for combat buffs until it reaches that point. They did say they were going to buff the stats of the Vasari titans a bit in the next patch, so at least it might get higher base weapon damage to fall back on.

I think the more support style Titans like the Coronata and the Vorastra just need more staying power - health and shields - in order to deliver their fleet support. The Tec titans are pretty well balanced this way. I find the suggestion of using guardians and dominas with the Coronata funny (from other threads). Yes, you up its staying power a lot (as long as you are defending and not trying to use those support cruisers after a few jumps) but then your fleet supply is even more tied up without much damage dealing. Coronata and Vorastra need to be with a fleet that deals damage. The Rebel Advent Titan, now there's a ship that pairs well with guardians and dominas...

I actually like all of the Vorastra's abilities. I think it just needs some tweaking. This list has been beaten to death but I'll put it up again for visibilities' sake.

1) Make Vorastra weapons affected by applicable research

2) Give Micro Phase Jump a short boost to turn rate to help the titan position itself better after the jump

3) Drastically reduce cooldown on Spawn Phase Stabilizer, make the spawned stabilizer stick around after a planet is consumed

4) Make Desperation an AOE that also applies to nearby friendly Capital Ships.

Somewhat related:

VL Dark Fleet: Allow for choice of summoned capital ship or at least get to choose between a random support capital ship or a random assault capital ship.