So far, my "magic combination" has been dual-mounted Null-Space Projectors backed up by either Meson BLasters (for tactical advantages and low tonnage) or Phased-Polaron Beams. The Null-Space weapons get first billing, so that my ships stand a decent chance of knocking out something important right off the bat (I never assume that PPBs can bypass shields by the time I get them), preferably shield generators, weapons, or the bridge. Meanwhile, my massive PPB arrays pound away at the shields/armor of the ships, every so often letting the knockout punch of Null-Space Projectors slip through to tear everything to shreds from the inside out.
Lately, however, I'm learning the bonuses of torpedoes. Sure, they only fire once every two turns, but they have damage comparable to missiles, can't be shot down by PDC, and can be massive mounted. Of course, it still pays to be using APB or PPB arrays to continue a continuous barrage against the enemy.
The "ultimate" melee, however, would be a ship that would be as hard as possible to hit, armed with explosive warheads and a small amount of PDC to avoid incoming missiles. Get in as close as possible and then, BOOM!
Oh, and perhaps some shield depleters in order to make the job just that much easier.
-Hotfoot
"Well, you wanted close range. Ain't nothing closer than hull meeting hull, now is there?"