Advice needed

I run zVader g11, EP g11, TFP g11, and Boba g10. They all have 30 speed arrows, and my FTP is at 245 speed so almost always goes first. Problem is, even with everyone else at 175-200 speed, I can still get wrecked by most squads with a faster EP or Wiggs. It seems look like the AI almost always targets EP, and that's a huge part of my squad's weaponry. I use RG g9, and have toyed with Sid (200+speed) g10 for the fifth spot, but RG does nothing to defend a one shot. I have been considering investing crystals in Shoretrooper, but as a light spender, it hurts to "pay" for a character. It seems pretty clear that Shoretrooper is my best option according to you guys. I hope that if I can survive the first round without losing EP, I will fair better. I suppose it'll be worth the ten/twenty bucks to get him 3-4*. Then the endless gear grind.

Do you think you could plug him into a squad with g7-8 / 3-4*?