Originally Posted by
Ancient
You started your post with the stated purpose of summarizing the consensus of the threads... then spent more lines on your own non-consensus solutions.
You slipped no consensus disclaimers right by your word solution, then went on with bullet point after bullet point with no disclaimer.
As far as your two points.
1. A melee build can exceed a ranged build, but it is far far tougher to build, equip and play. Is there a ranged build that is even in the ball park for the EE devils assault time challenge from Zeus's build thread?
2. Pure classes do need a boost, but making a blanket generalization is overstating the case. One example, the pale-master threads get a lot of attention and are almost always pure class builds. Pure sorc builds are also getting some attention again. Confusing popularity with balance is not a good foundation for design changes.
I agree melee and pure classes do need a boost. No, I do not agree the game needs to be redesigned over that difference. Heck no, I don't think your hireling idea is even remotely close to the right solution.