Aaaand back to reality..
What measures do we have? (We don't have much beyond buffs/nerfs/changes to stats at this point)
Buffing archer melee (Actually it is just buffing archers.) -Tried, doesn't work.
IMO we have to make the class as lame to play, as the lameness it imposes on others. (For Archers and Xbow: Make them weaker aka Nerfs ffs)
The same can be said about all classes, but also in the positive sense:
Make classes fun to play, that creates fun for others.
Only then will we see a game that is most enjoyable for most. A simple Kantian ethic..
Imo, if you want to kill people in this game without dealing with manual melee combat, you should be a freakin master at what you do. Nerf ranged weapons to oblivion but increase headshot damage, accuracy and speed i.ex. Nerfing helmets could be done, would reward everyone that has enough skill to go for the head, melee and ranged too.
IMO Shielder should be weaker than 2h/pole, as you don't have to block.
There should not be an easy choice to just grab the most expensive 2h/pole and armor and go to town. There should be real dilemmas which there are not.
Cav should truly be high risk/high reward. Now it has the lowest risk.
Ranged is incredibly lame to die from. Should be equally lame to play.
All of this could and can be done by item stat adjustments.
anyway.. I guess you all know my positions on all of this by now.. I'm also a bit wasted so sorry to digress..