The skill has always been intended to boost scout damage for close range, not for its melee damage only. This was seen in the description (which was wrong for the melee damage) and in other Rohan versions.
Before you had two useless builds:
- Str scout: which had only one good skill and therefore was a one-skill wonder only good for boosting ones E-peen, but not an actual valid character. Nothing a good Dhan build couldn't do, in fact str dhan does the exact same, only better. Way better.
- Dex scout: the actual scout class as intended (range, d'uh) - but who lacked any damage or decent CC's whatsoever.
By fixing sharp melee, along with a couple other skills, skill CD's, etc. the scout class is currently at least viable in pvE and can do some good damage in pvP (with the right equipment). It still can use some major skill-changes, but it's better than it has been before.
Scout (and eventually guardian) is the most fun class to play (IMHO) gameplay-wise (not damage-wise). It requires thinking, planning, timing (skill CD's, debuffs) - one wrong move and you're a goner, but it's a very rewarding gameplay. It's not as good to bot with, though..