You obviously don't know jack about archers. Even though they wear light gear, they have nerfs that make arrows repair every round, nearly. They pay the same as a standard footman.
Why should they pay the same as a standard footman?
Upkeep isn't fair and has never been. It's about limiting certain classes and use of items considered too much to deal with for melee infantry.
Like ranged and cavalry.
Additionally, we have a lower score, lower kills, so why should we pay as much as a "main" class? We are a support class, so leave it at that.
That depends. Sometimes it's better to be an archer than a horseman.
I'm not even a good archer. Still I can top the scoreboard with it.
And don't tell me it's a supportive class. I can go skirmish taking on several horses.
It's the only class imo that can take on any opponent, in any situation, on any map.
Not saying archers are OP. Most archers are weak and harmless due to bad player skills.
But in the hands of a good player, the archer is the most deadly class.
If you have played a clan match you should know that a good archer is the most valuable player for his team.
My suggestion will prevent archers from being nerfed by decreasing the number of archers by incresing upkeep.
Again, upkeep has very little to do with fairness. It's main purpose is to limit the use of "OP" items like heavy armour and horses.