I personally as an archer had basically the same archer stats from level 30 up to 34: WPF = 7 or 8 (whatever you get at 24 agi) and PD = 6 (18 str).
I loaded these primary stats early on in my build, because: necessary for archer.
... any additional exp points I earned between level 30 and 34 I used to add to secondary skills (ath and PS). So, I wasn't a more effective archer at high levels, but I could run (more ath) and defend myself better (more PS) at high levels.
If you made the archery changes with the belief that archer would be OP at higher levels, I don't agree... they'd simply be better hybrids at high level (being able to build their melee stats).
Now, to be kind of as effective as I was pre patch, I have to not only put more points into PD (for damage) but also IF (to compensate for changes in gear weight). Overall this makes me a less effective archer now at level 34 than I was at level 30 pre-patch (damage-wise). Sure I get more accuracy now, but frankly I would trade that for the better damage I had pre-patch.
Plus now I am fighting high level melee guys who are (perhaps arguably, I don't know given I don't melee that much) more effective against me because a) more strength / ironflesh or b) a fuckton of agi - with which, I can't now compete. They simply have more points to distribute into the same attributes (perhaps excepting IF), whereas mine is now more spread (requiring more PD / IF - I'd say IF to manage WPF is more important to ranged than melee).
I just don't believe foot archers were that OP before patch. And now the imbalance is huge.
Caveat: I wear ping goggles.