Talking in broadest terms, if a ranged weapon user can defeat a melee weapon user before the melee weapon user can reach melee combat range, the ranged weapon is always going to be superior. If not, the melee weapon needs a sufficient advantage at close range to make up for the possible injury from time spent reaching close range. This generally means:
- Gap closing must be fast relative to ranged weapon firepower and lethality.
- Engagements where gap closing is impossible should be rare.
- Melee weapons must be superior to ranged weapons at melee range.