Some screens I've taken since last patch. All are before any other damage taken, melee or otherwise, limb and torso shots (have yet to survive a headshot), and all shots where you can clearly see the projectile itself. All are of course including a probably substantial speed bonus because only fools don't move around in midst battle. High level and well-geared arbalest not included either as they also one-shot on torso.
Are these screens of
every torso shot you've taken from an arrow? If not, the don't mean much by themselves. It just means that there is an archer with a build and equipment and a given situation that can do that much damage. Nothing more.
Damage varies widely based up on the bow you are using, the arrow you are using, how many times those items have been heirloomed, the level of the archer, the build of the archer, whether he is above you or below you in terrain, whether it is raining or not, and the movement speed difference between the two of you.
When you can post the screenshots including the information above that is required to have an actual conversation about whether the damage was justified, we might move closer to actual agreement on where tweaks need to occur.
The current trend regarding archers and indeed all ranged that wants to lump them into a one nerf fits all category makes as much sense as lumping 2 handers, polearms, and shielders all into one category when making changes to how thrusts or swings or blocking work, or how much damage the weapons do. You wouldn't nerf the katana because the bec de corbin is OP, or nerf the sickle because the longsword is too good.
It's time for rational, in-depth looks at balancing.