Next thing you'll have us track trivial stuff, like spell components :PBut the Archer DOES even out with the meele IF you track that ammo.
YOUR OUT OF BAT GUANO YOU'RE SPELL FAILS!
This is Deadly Aim 101
I think that Falchion vs. Longbow is a pretty balanced deal in actual practice. A longbow specialist is going to be able to full attack more often, but until they get improved precise shot you'll almost always be penalized with enemies getting that +4 cover bonus. Furthermore, more attacks but lower damage...hey we know that phenomenon as multi-weapon failing i mean fighting. DR hurts a lot more.
When you start comparing APG stuff like mobile fighter and THF archetypes any imbalance starts to disappear entirely IMO. I love archers...and I love falchion fighters. I think it's humorous is all because they are the two best builds in the game for physical damage dealing.
TL;DR-Nothing wrong with deadly aim. Take it away and all ranged attackers will just cry.
The THF archetype is only decent against trippable opponents (Pile Driver is pretty decent). The flexibility of the Mobile Fighter will in general work out better though. Of course both of those only really kick in at level 11.
The extra damage on standard/full attacks is nice, but without a means to getting full attacks reliably (at level 20 he gets a good alternative, but that's level 20) it's not going to pull him even with the archer. Also at the higher levels crit effects become more important and the mobile fighter and archer are going to outclass him in that respect.
THF kicks in at level 3, I dunno what you're talking about. With a dip in barbarian, at level 16 (15Ftr1Bbn) you're getting 22 dmg from Str and 20 from PA. With a falchion and Improved Crit/Critical Focus, along with standard weapon focus/spec/training you'll crit 30% of the time for about 110. Ouch.
I will still agree that mobile fighter is better in more situations, but THF is going to have the hardest single hit.