It's not really armor-related however Spiders are very easy to crush. What are their weaknesses in other categories? What can I do to determine which element of spells is most suitable for combating the creatures? What kind of ammunition should I use? Should I stop trying to use melee against them?

I've heard that most weapons are balanced now, is it the same case for armor? AKA is it possible to use chain mail to crush an opponent without losing defense advantages? Additionally the square shields, medium and square helms were upgraded to ensure their viability. The new update is confusing and I have a lot to learn. Any assistance is welcome. Thank you!