Basic Math - The Failure of Diablo Melee

[Tal]

Diablo 2 had zero melee classes, because melee itself was not viable. The mobs hit too hard, compared to the health recovery options. You could not stay in toe to toe. As Barbarian you would whirl whirl whirl your way through them. Paladins would throw a lot of hammers. Etc. You stayed at range or you died. This was Epic Fail on behalf of the designers -- the worst shortcoming of the game, bar none.

This statement still confuses me even after reading and re-reading it. I played a jabazon, barbarian, assassin, two different flavors of zealot (sword and board/two hander) through all of Hell LoD. I sometimes had to kite but for the most part, I was toe to toe and didn't struggle.

Further I watched Gnollguy's Tankazon easily handle everything we pulled.

Could you explain what you mean by viable?