I do not use my archer for normal play. I mainly use my archer for boss type mobs, event mobs, stuff where its better to let a pet with huge hp tank. He really works well for event mobs. This really is not the character I am working on for peerless (that is my sampire).
I have switched exclusively to heavy x-bow, with +40% SSI and +30% HML. Since the form nerf, what I really want is 40% SSI, max HML, max HLL, and cannot decide yet between a spell effect and HLD. I dont have mace and shields on my archer.