Melee does get easier after the start of the game (once you get up a few levels). Mid to late game it gets even more effective when combined with Bleed, etc, though I'm not sure of the difficulty compared to a ranged or mage build.
I didn't find melee combat particularly difficult in D2:ED (the normal difficulty in DKS is easier than it was in D2:ED), playing a strength based dual wielding warrior, though a bow definitely comes in handy even without investing in any ranger skills (you can do damage as opponents approach, and draw them to you rather than Rush Attacking into the middle of a group). Mid-game I still found a bow helpful sometimes, but after that only used one for breaking crates, etc.
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