The argument of "get a shield, change your class etc." doesn't work only for one reason: People want to play with strong melee classes that use manual block, which are 2h and polearm.
I'm completely fine with that.
However in order to counter ranged, you do not have to adapt your build to be an anti-ranged force. non-shield infantry can do that perfectly fine. There are certain methods, which I also explained before. Non of these are hard counters, but they do work. After all, 2h/polearm is not supposed to counter ranged; it is otherwise. One must not forgot when dealing with your counter class, you must expect to have a harder time.
1-Teamplay. Can't deal with archers by yourself?
a-Protect your archers from getting their ass f*cked by enemy cav, inf and anything that comes close so they can do the job for you later.
b-Take some aid from friendly shielders. It is not always working as intended, and you need to be a bit familiar with the shielder but it works when there's no other options available.
2-Use buildings, walls... basically anything that gives you cover. Seeing an enemy archer on sight, just hide behind that building. Rest is up to the situation and your creativity.
3-Dodging. It really works. Not with hundred percent success of course, but it does wonders. Just try to estimate how the enemy ranged estimate you to move. It feels like a game of psychology to me after a while.
4- a-Get better athletics and wear lighter armor to be better at dodging, hiding, manuevering and overall backstabbing.
b- or get more ironflesh and wear heavier armor to negate penalty when you get hit. It also works up to a point, it's probably more effective versus Horse Archers since it is harder to escape from them and they have less damage dealing capability.
-Just find the balance that suits you among these two.
and now with MoTF:
5-Just hold flag with your teammates. You should be at your element, since it is an infantry task.
If you suck at those, or you don't believe those will work. You can hybridize:
1-Just get some 1h proficiency and some shield skill. I'm not saying you to drop your favourite weapon/change your class. If you're 2h, just be 1h/2h. Use each whenever you see necessary. Melee hybrids are really strong now.
2-Use throwing. Works also well against cav, and practically everything without a shield most of the time.
If you don't want to do that either:
Just change your class to something else maybe? You are free to be a cav, dedicated shielder, hoplite and even ranged (which you say will counter other ranged).
Don't forget that ranged counters ranged also works against you too, since now you've become ranged.
