for lvl 58 use short shield, Bfg and Lightning, use Lightning and BFG as soon as you have and then use short shield only if they get close enough as a defensive weapon,and while Lightning and BFG charge, not as offensive weapon, also follow the BFG to be safe.
I have to agree, the idea is very good, but the gameplay needs a lot of work....I think I better interface with some status of the ship and weapons could help....and of course faster bullets or a better tracking system