I think I have seen enough of "The combat system is so unbalanced warriors suck rangers killsteal mages are OP" To decide something should be done about it.
Well, the first sentence kind of sums it all up but lets get some detail into it.
As we all know, warriors are most powerful in the fact they have such strong defense, and while they hit for okay overall damage they are able to hit high and hard with a single hit, allowing warriors to take on much more challenging opponents before a mage or archer could (and a few other advantages, probably). Warriors are also able to lootsteal (given they have the loostealer ability) more effectively than any other class.
To sum up the advantaged of being a warrior:
1: Best defense of all classes
2: They hit hard with each hit
3: Warriors have the edge in the loostealing field.
Here are the disadvantages to being a warrior vs other classes.
Warriors are easily killstolen by both mages with area coverage attacks and range attacks because their attack range is severely limited. Their equipment costs way too much (especially with the recent burst of prices), and they have poor overall damage output-- perhaps even worse than that of an archer. They also have (arguably) the worst special skills available. This class grows the least exponentially in use compared to the other classes, meaning they are better at high levels but don't grow to be as good as mages and rangers at high levels. Warriors also, while having the most defensive armor, are usually insufficient in protection without spending many more ability points. Mages have self heal and archers don't even get hit, while warriors need to spend points on defense along with their armor to remain totally guarded, making melee's defensive system the worst of all classes. To add to this, warriors are the only class who don't have an attack for targeting above platforms (archers have arrow rain, mages have circular attack and thunder attack).
To break that down, disadvantages of warriors:
1: Easily killstolen
2: Equipment costs way too much
3: Poor, if not the worst, overall damage output.
4: (arguably) The worst special skills available
5: Warriors grow at a set rate making them the worst class in the end.
6: Warriors have the worst defensive system of the classes
7: Limited attack directions
Now lets go to archers. ADVANTAGES:
These guys are just plain the best killstealers. The obvious aside, they can killsteal so well because no matter the capability of a warriors or mages power they are able to attack it from afar, creating an inevitable xp sapping. They are armored with distance, so they never even get hit unless they stand on a spawning point. The equipment is very well rounded, and the special skills are the best of the classes (arguably). The last thing I can think of is how archers can attack and kill something before anyone else gets to it, which while technically isn't a killsteal, it is an obnoxious advantage preventing people from getting any kills at all, allowing archers to lay claim to an entire map.
Summary:
1: Amazing killstealing skills
2: They don't even get hit
3: Excellently well rounded equipment
4: Best special skills of any other classes (arguably)
5: Able to kill things before anyone else even gets to it
Disadvantages of range, coming up.
Archers are the easiest to lootsteal, because they are obliged to utilize their range as it is their only advantage, allowing others to swoop in and take it while they are running up. Archers also have a close call in lowest overall damage output with warriors. Archers are also obliged to use a two handed weapon. Archers are also usually frowned upon by others because their only advantage is distance, so when they utilize the only thing they've got they end up irritating other people.
Summary:
1: Easily lootstolen
2: Close to warriors with lowest overall damage output
3: Obliged to use a two handed weapon
4: Socially rejected
And mages...
Advantages: They have a severely high overall damage output. Its ridiculous how high it is. Mages also have multiple area coverage special skills, allowing a retaliation to killstealing and sometimes creating a killsteal. Mages are also capable of translating MP into HP, meaning they don't have to focus on HP but instead MP. Mages also have fairly cheap equipment, and their range is excellently balanced. Mages are also known for their massive quantity of attacks in such a quick amount of time, multiplying the effect of leveling your magic. Another advantage... Mages can make those with lower quality computers lag to the point of inability to play and compete in that room completely.
Summary:
1: INSANE DAMAGE OVERALL DAMAGE OUTPUT.
2: Multiple area coverage special skills
3: Self heal (which can be used by any class carrying a wand around, though)
4: Cheap equipment
5: Excellently balanced range
6: Such an overwhelming quantity of attacks
7: Can make others obliged to leave on account of lag
Mage disadvantages:
Mage equipment is too much offence and not enough defense, creating a problem for trying to stay alive. Mages can also conflict with #7 by having a bad computer of their own and not being able to play without lagging them self out of the game.
Summary:
1: Mages have poor defense
2: Mages can sometimes lag themselves out of game if they have a bad computer.
Okay so now you see that, so lets get to solutions. Also leave a comment about that.
Here are my ideas to fix this, and its pretty simple:
Weaken mage offence. No form of compensation for mages.
Half the archer range distance. Compensate with making archers more powerful in the offensive feild.
No melee penalty. Melee will have an increase in both defense and offense.