[AgentZero]

If you're playing stock, I think the general consensus is Anti-Proton Beams will carry you right through the game. I could be wrong, it's been a while since I played stock, but their damage-to-size ratio is pretty much unbeatable. I'm rather fond of using them with shield depleters to quickly knock out their target's shields before mauling them with APBs. They're not the sexiest toy out there, but they get the job done reliably.

That's not to say other weapons aren't any good, but their usefulness tends to be more situational. One favourite is the Tractor Beam/Ripper Beam combo, which gives you ships that pull their enemies in close and then tear them to pieces. Adding a Repulser Beam or Wormhole Beam to the mix can be fun too, since not only does the ship get yanked in and given a good thrashing, it also gets tossed aside afterwards. Wormhole Beams can also be useful for breaking up big fleets to deal with separately, but again, it's all situational.