In my departed high level game, only the archer routinely got full rounds of attacks. This made up for his lower damage and lack of something like power attack. Competent foes would move away from a raging 18th level barbarian and take the AoO rather than face five attacks the next round. But actually, the melee dudes were often neutralized first because five attacks is quite dangerous.
I actually didn't use the partial action in surprise round rule and allowed full actions. This only helped the archer, because no combat starts with the melee people within five feet of one another, and spellcasters can cast in a partial action anyway. It did help the melee people charge a bit further.
I actually didn't use the partial action in surprise round rule and allowed full actions. This only helped the archer, because no combat starts with the melee people within five feet of one another, and spellcasters can cast in a partial action anyway. It did help the melee people charge a bit further.