Actually, in an indirect way, archer melee was nerfed. When they increased the weight of ranged kit to address kiting they also substantially reduced the speed bonus obtainable in melee. Unless said ranged puke abandons their ranged kit; and I can certainly understand why they wouldn't want to drop their primary gear; their melee-damage potential is less than previously possible.
The new zero-slot weapons aren't really a solution either as they are all swords. Pretty much worthless without significant PS and WPF investment. The hammer, mace and flanged mace are still the best options for a pure archer in my opinion. (But my heart bleeds purple vulture shit for them.)
