Nice to see the community here is as confrontational as any other game!
At the risk of wading in, I wouldn't go as far as to say melee is 'broken', but I defnately feel my some melee characters have more disadvantates and could do with some balancing - particularly Sword & Shield style.
I currently run with a Sword and Board character (Madora, yes she has 2 wasted 2-H points) and find that she has a negligible affect during the first few turns of battle, and less input overall. I also play with a Rogue, who I feel does far better at moving (due to higher AP) and does reasonable Backstab damage.
Changes I would like to see: -Being able to get into the heat of battle faster - either more AP (less reduction via armor) or lower CD movement skills. -More AoE capability. This doesn't have to be a 'one spin kills everyone' arrangement, but the lower level AoE could be lowered. Consider the variety of AoE mages can pull out, plus using single target spells to trigger environmental AoE. -'Tanky' skills. Admittedly I've only played to level 10, but I am tad disappointed that there are no defensive abiltiees. Something like reduce damage taken for X turns, or a shield bash would like S&S more interesting. Possibly a taunt or higher threat generation to make the role functional. -As someone suggested earlier, merging Shield skills with either Single-Handed or Armour skills so Tanky types aren't spreading points so thinly.
I agree with a previous post, that there seems to have been a major focus on Magic and environmental effects, which I love but few tweeks to Man at Arms would be nice.
You know if people would stop blatantly lying I would not get so involved but claiming that melee is worthless and terrible -> gross hyperbole.
Edit: Oh and please no taunt.
To your list: 5 points in armor and the penalty is gone. Aoe should remain mage specialty. I'd rather see armor debuffs. More defensive abilties would be neat.
