It’s not that the Slayer is bad or isn’t viable, there are just better options. The IB is… dare I say it… hands down a better class. Other classes kill hordes and bosses just as well as the Slayer without giving up ranged. I switch between Slayer and IB on Champ. The Slayer is fun but I can absolutely carry a group as the IB.
He needs buffs to make him worth taking over IB imo.
If we look at it from a Lore perspective Slayers aren’t trying to just outright die. They are trying to redeem family honor by a worthy death. That doesn’t mean they need to be a glass cannon. I think more passive defense or hp would be good.
Ranged… I’m torn I like having two melee weapons. I don’t want just throwing Axes, it feels like a cop out. A Chain Axe fits the lore and TT though. Give it maybe the same range as the flame throwers. You could even have it either pull you to the target or the target to you with it’s right click. Put it on like a 20-30 second cool down.