It is basically being able to survive vs being able to do more damage. teaming up is hard in the public servers, but it is extremely easy in strat battles where archers are the most effective. I personally would say closer to balance is better, but that is my taste. Like others have stated the 0 athletics also means 1 wpf, which will make you extremely unaccurate. So you with high str you will do massive damage but hit maybe 1 in 5. With somewhere near balance you will hit 1 for 2 typically, and be able to outrun people.