Additionally it doesnt make sense to focus all fire on one target. Because that target will propably be on brace for impact. The More ships you get to brace the less return fire you have to take. So in my opinion its a better strategy to spit fire at big games (even more because crippling a target is enough to reduce its firepower, you dont have to destroy it).
Shields are the best defensive stat in small as well as in big games. And its a big difference if you have 1 or 2 or even 3 shields, the more shields the more weapon power you have to focus on a target to get a result.