I'm running a Fighter, Rogue, Ranger and Wizard. In a large, large majority of encounters, my Fighter and Rogue do almost nothing. This is partially due to how terrain and positioning is so important in this game, and partially due to the fact that they have no benefits to all their cons.
Cons:
* Have to use AP to get into position to even begin attacking
* Have to avoid ground effects, which quite often cover the battlefield.
* Can't re-position mid fight easily, due to status effect ticks and attacks of opportunity.
* Provide little utility, mostly only bring damage.
Pros:
* ???
* Backstab?
I'm not one to whine or complain, but from a purely objective point of view it seems to me that melee have lots of downsides, but no upside. They don't get a defensive bonus of any sort, they don't do more damage than ranged (quite frequently less), it makes me ask myself why even have any melee?
If you compare a Fighter to a Wizard for example, take a look at what they bring. Mine are both level 6 and my Wizard has 12 spells. She can attack without moving, from range, has an insane amount of utility (heals, Teleport, Midnight Oil, Haste, Fortify, etc), can do massive AoE damage with Boulder Bash or Small Fireball, can CC, dispel fire (Rain)...
What can my Fighter do? Well she can hold a shield, and cure once a fight, and provide knock downs, and take a few hits more than my Wizard. Aside from the shield and some tankyness, my Wizard can do all that and tons more *plus* gets all the benefits of being ranged. She doesn't have to reposition due to effects, 90% of the time, she doesn't need to waste AP to get in range.
In terms of balance in a game like this, it's never going to be perfect, but I don't think the gap should be this large. This isn't even getting into the fact that the best way to engage a lot of mobs at once is to funnel them, which leaves your melee doing nothing while you pelt mobs from range as they sit in your oil and burn, or get electrocuted, etc. I'm fairly certain I could roll 4 Wizards and Hard would be an absolute joke. Melee need some benefits, or bonuses, or utility, or something.
