Potential solution for ranged tops
Disclaimer: I don't really think ranged tops are that bad or anything, but I can see why people hate them so much. I'm not saying this is a perfect solution, just something I was wondering about while I should be studying for my finals
Why not give dshield an anti ranged melee modifier? Like if taking damage from a ranged champ, regen a base value additional to the main healing for melee champs. If ranged tops that are meant to be played top are relevant, like Gnar, either just give them early non-scaling buff to autos or give them a specific passive adjacent to grevious wounds but only a flat amount for bonus regen or something. Urgot can probably just have his kit altered around being considered melee, I'm sure specific interactions can be accounted for if necessary, or like legit any semi hard coded solution.
If there are concerns about other lanes building the item, make it a top lane exclusive item, like junglers and supports already have this type of system. If champs can be kept in or out of the jungle with jungle camp modifiers, I don't see why champs can't have something similar hard coded into their kits in top lane to keep ranged tops that riot wants to keep in and other, less healthy options out.
Personally, I don't think top laners all have zero counterplay against ranged, but it's more like they have weak counterplay until a certain breakpoint, whether it be level 6 or a certain component/item. If ranged and melee becomes more farm heavy until around 5-7 minutes into the game, I think most people would not have as much of a problem with ranged tops, since a lot of the oppressiveness comes from being able to put a laner down a ton of CS and EXP. I'm sure I missed a couple potential issues and it's unlikely that this will be a flawless solution instantly, but I don't see why an approach like this can't be taken given how it kinda already exists for other roles.
Hell, something like this could be applied to reduce the amount of mages in the bot lane. Just attach some MR to ADC starter items in botlane role and maybe give specific enchanters/engage supports/whatever the hard coded ability to bypass this base amount of MR. Then, have the MR increase disappear after a certain level/time/lane quest progress or something like that, or have it give less as you level up, etc.
The reason I could see riot not implementing this in the past is because of lane swaps, but with lane swaps basically all but removed, I think this could be a viable solution. Thoughts?
TLDR, add a top lane exclusive/modified version of d shield that is stronger against ranged specifically early, then hard code/give flat bonus regen reduction passive to specific ranged tops that have an identity around top lane.