Unwashed ranged classes are a waste of time?

This is a game design issue. Nothing more. Nexon needs to re-assess how damage is distributed to all classes. One damage-fits-all formula is obviously not working. People are spending too much time and money on an issue they shouldn't NEED to address to begin with.

A ranged defense set would be nice. You'd take lower damage, but that accommodates to your low HP, but that doesn't avoid the fact that you'd still need a little hp boost to survive(which means it's up to the archer to find a way to get around it, like HP gear.) Then again, there's a flaw here as HP washers wouldn't have any issues at all.

Here's the thing, mages have magic defense, which, obviously, makes them take lower damage from magic attacks. You see, mages get their own defense in some form/way. Basically, every class should have some way to reduce damage like that. Sure, magic defense is seemingly useless, but it gives an idea of what type of damage reduction can be created.

They may be ranged for a reason, but other than sniping, what if you end up taking a hit? You're pretty much dead. Sure, there's that extremely low chance of the hit missing, but, there will be times where it will be impossible to avoid.

That, and the archer skillbook seems a bit littered with seemingly useless skills. (Focus, for example.) An idea would be to include something similar to the brawler's skillset, where they get maxhp up.
Though an idea would be damage reduction formulas depending on classes...
IE, for thieves, their defense could be based on LUK/Avoidability, etc. Archers would be DEX/Accuracy, so on.

It could come in the form of a passive skill that you have to "earn"..No idea, really. (Instanced series set of quest dungeon/maps with nontradeable quest drops, make use of your ranged prowess and "earn" the skill!)

But, it could take Wizet/Nexon a forever to create a separate defense type of thing...
And, well, that means it just wouldn't happen. That, and they're probably enjoying the money they gain from the excessive HP washing.

Though these ideas are pretty much pointless...blah, whatever. I just wanted to get something out.

If you want to experience some part of the game that your character is clearly not ready for it, you have to sacrifice things; whether it is damage or mesos, you decide.

Having low hp doesn't necessarily mean your character isn't 'ready' for it. I mean, that's like pap's 2nd form, where not all warriors can hit the damned thing. That doesn't mean you're not ready for it, it just means you'll need some other way to get around the accuracy issue. (IE, switching to a maple weapon, using an amorian basket, etc)