I hope the new ascendancy has a much needed mechanic to punish melees, they lack that!

Melees have it far too easy.
Honour in Sekhemas, Magic/rare enemy AoEs - all of these punish ranged way harder.
Strength is way too strong as well, because Armour protects you too well.
I hope this trial will finally have a way that punishes melees more ♥

I do not see the final numbers, but armor affecting elemental damage from hits is nothing to spit on.

I had cheap magic find, using veil of night for "no elemental resistances", black braid for "armor applies to elemental", and full armor magic find gloves, boots and helmet, combined with the negative magic resist magic find rings.

It is 300+ with good amount of health, that cost me one divine.

Having the ability to apply it, on top of elemental resistances and actually have body armor...

This may be huge armor fix on its own.