Can you explain how melee is gimped? I've played bow exclusively, and every time melee comes at me for 1v1 unless they're level 10, my butthole puckers like I'm about to fall off a cliff because I know that I've made one wrong step that likely means death. That chain gap closer, man. I've been pulled through walls, and once, through half a keep and into a zerg.
Sorry, but from the perspective of someone who plays ranged, your claim doesn't make sense. Want to know how to counter range? Press 's'. It's actually that easy. Don't 1v1 if you can't close on them. My attacks in large battles end when someone who has a sliver of health simply backs up and survives, the overwhelming majority of the time.
Now if you're one of those melee types who likes to stand at the door to the keep and attack it, then I guess I can see where you get that.