If you want the amount of ranged players down..
take a look at the crossbows I see more and more players bring along.
Dedicated or as sidearm.
Archers are only somewhat effective after level 25ish..
and are easy to kill once you get close to them.. due to low armour, only 0slot hammer and lacking blocking, meleeskills and wpf in general.
The crossbows on the other hand can be used from
level 3 peasant: hunting crossbow + steelbolts
43 pierce!level 9 peasant: arbalest crossbow + steelbolts
87 pierce!With precision and power.
Loading at his own pleasure behind cover. Instead of actually exposing himself like archers do.
With full armor no wpf or crossbowskill.
It mirrors how crossbows were in reality, simple and effective way to utilize peasant in an army.
Are you sure you notice the difference between bolts and arrows flying at you and hitting you?
If the balanceteam wish to limit the amount of ranged, they should start with the crossbow.
My opinion is that it would probably be more fun for everyone if crossbows were removed, or atleast priced way more realisticly a good crossbow outfit does not cost more than a good archeroutfit. The respecs under 26 would not be affected by price. Make them all 2slots atleast. Now half the melee bringem as sidearms.
but im sure certain bandits thinks otherwise.