I haven't played archer yet, but the power in the higher levels seem to pay off for the weakness in the lower levels.
I see archers tanking with no problem at all. They're less structured and require forethought.
It looks nice to be able to kill something before it touches you >.< That's my main hatred for clerics. Archers seem much more manipulatible (sp?) than the other classes. AND they have smexeh armour.