Ahhh, I had a chance to play on melee-only server few times. With 20 people there it was quite interesting (this server somehow made people stick together .
The no-multi-till-8 systems was made (I belive) to prevent abusing. I think I would stick with that. Lack of people on such servers is rather fault of the way balance works. I was rarely able to see well balanced teams. Also, without banner balance you can be often thrown into opposite teams (some ppl like to play together). On melee server team fo crushing everything cans have huge adventage (while on eu_1 archers and horsemen can counter those armours). Much depends on maps too.
That may work only with a new gamemode (guess everyone loves when new gm comes out).
This.
Tor,Cooties, Muffin, Kpu, rantrex, Ragni, myself, Bjord, couple of 22nds, Risens and tons of other players were permanently playing on the melee only server, hosted by Conquerworm.
If people would be aware of the fact, that there is a melee only server existing. It would be easily crowded.
Give us heroes a home plz, otherwise we will die out soon.