I've been using melee. The only problem is in pre hardmode you have to get close to everything if you want to deal damage, which is a problem if you're fighting a boss like the wall of flesh.
That's why I'm using the star cannon and beenades, that way I don't have to get close to deal damage.
The only problem is that the hungry deflect projectiles meaning the star cannon is useless until I get them out of the way with the bees