Firstly, I hate "mathematicly balanced" arenas and think at the very least it shouldn't be a prioroty in nerative driven mmo. The nerf of range is whatever in arena (less kills - ok).
In mass (alliance) pvp. Make special buffs (in mass pvp only) for melee jobs, which will buff attacks/short burst in melee range. Reward players risking jump into perma-stun hell trying to get enemy rangers and healers. As ninja I hated the role of range harasser in mass pvp anyway and don't start on that limit break... But after the last patch I just run around behind DOING NOTHING with occasional limit break IF it works out and not just a kill steal (that's a big if actually), because I know it's worthless to riskmy assand jump behind enemy tanks for a misly drop of burst damage which will get healed right back up in no time and all I get is DEATH. And 20 yards (from 25) is basicly right behind tanks (if there're any) and in front of range jobs - so guess whosassfirst on the menu? Not worth spitting range dps either.
What I mean: it's gang pvp so you can meme a bit.