Possible solution to "ranged only dps"

[KalaKenshu]

So, just so I'm clear, this is your proposed chain of events:

1. ARC can avoid the damage and keep doing dps, which makes ARC preferable.
2. Instead stepping back to avoid the AoE, just eat the AoE as melee.
3. After eating the AoE, stop damage to heal self.
4. Meanwhile, ARC is still plugging away at DPS (better DPS, even) and not taking damage.

So, how the hell does that make sense, again?

I think you're being kind of negative here... I guess if you don't even want to TRY to do any instances or NMs, it's your choice. But for now, this is pretty much the most viable thing you can do as a melee class. The other option is to try to time it so you run out of the AoE and run back in. I don't think archers need to be the kings of damage anyways, necessarily. Because I'm not higher ranked, and haven't played 1.18 enough to get a good feel for the changes, this is my best advice.

So adapt, switch classes, or wait for 1.19 to play again.