At first, reading the topic, i didn't understand how it could be possible to loose money with only 30k gear. Then i saw this
I downgraded to a nordic short sword but i'm down another 10k. been x5 alot too. but yeah maybe I should be lame and just grab byz flag or something dont think they are exclusive atm
previous gen I had 40k gear as cav and made money, I think its just because as archer you never get valor nearly as much as mele.
First, yes, to get valor, you need to effectively block and stay close to some melee opponents, so it's harder for range.
Secondly, arrow's breaking chance is HUGE ! So using two quivers of bodkin arrows is a sure moneysink ! (even with using one of bodkin and one of tatar, i still effectively loose money)
Welcome to the hard world of an archer.
Fun fact, i loose money on my 30k archer set.
I win money on my 45k cav lancer set.