i have an abc archer I leave in doom. I have the gear/weapons to solo every mob and I have 700+ luck with decent di, hci, and resists. In the old days I ran with a dryad bow and would use ninja skills to fight the df. I could still solo every mob, although it was a lot slower then. With the newer artifacts and fletching kits it's easy to make an abc archer. Not all archer's are worthless as a result.
Being on an archer also allows you the freedom to be a dick if warranted. i usually alternate honor, cut up bones, and res people. I'm a decent teammate as long as the other person isn't dumb, afk, or acts like a jackass.
If I wanted to become more efficient I would bond a trained cu, and leave a thief with vet and a beetle on another account to be my supply guy while using the cu as the occasional tank. Taming isn't worth the skill points these days. Only players with shit gear or people who want to solo with the highest bit of luck should go that route. Then when someone shows up log the high luck tamer out and get on the archer for the flexibility.
My time in the gauntlet is rare these days, because I'm already geared, and my UO time is extremely limited.