Breaking and entering under the cover of darkness is a very dangerous activity and one for which I don't have much sympathy, but I agree with you, communication is key: communicating that your domicile is occupied, and if the criminal persists, communicating that you are armed prepared to shoot.

I have very little regard for the life of a robber. I don't feel that I should take valuable time out of my life to learn skills for applying measured non-lethal force to dissuade a person who intends to take my personal property by force. The only reason why I would be very hesitant to just shoot someone who broke into my house, would be my inability to identify them -- I don't want to shoot my mother-in-law.