Kafein, I remember how some shielder Olwen constantly made 50kills\2death at every map in august-december 2010. When every archer has 300 wpf in archery, and Olwen has only 5 in shield skill and 5 athletics.
So, it's not about shields, it's about ability to play good.
What is your point ? That shields are not less effective than... something else against archers ? Well yes that is completely true, I would prefer a 1h+shield over a polearm or 2h if I had to fight archers, but that is not what we are arguing about.
Lots of balance changes occured and now archers are generally weaker but shields also got weaker, especially against range, and that is what really bugs me. The class balance works because everyone has a more or less clear counterclass not depending on the situation. Cav has pikes and other long weapons, shields have crushthrough and axes, 2h/poles have ranged .The "shield counters range" one is possibly one of the weakest, because that counter is entirely defensive, with a very limited power to protect allies. Of course cav can kill archers, of course shieldless melee can kill archers, but they only do so in very particular situations such as a lack of awareness and bad positioning.
Back in the olwen times, when you had a shield and holded it in the general direction of the enemy team, you were guaranteed to catch what was shot at you. Also the movement speed wasn't such a problem because people tried to fight you instead of fleeing. Dying in the right spot was the main concern, not delaying as much as possible.
Btw : it doesn't matter but your numbers are exaggerated.
