Bows: I prefer to use a bow and bow spamming is perfectly fine annoying yet it's just how they use it. Yet bows are about the best way of defeating a hacker honestly. So I prefer to use a bow a lot for the advantages in all ways. Having less bows and a lot of swords doesn't give much option on pvp choices. If your just talking about bows being equal to swords then sure yet to make them pretty rare is just going a bit too far.
..
As Arujann said, reporting is the best option. Take it from me, someone who essentially binge-played downgrade for two months, once you finally clear out a large portion of hackers, they just almost stop showing up entirely.
It's great. Reporting hackers in downgrade between March and April was like shooting fish in a barrel. Not to mention, a hacker can only have so many alts, and, from what I have experienced anyway, usually don't have the appeals process work in their favor (Only one case I have observed from over 300 reports, that being said I don't have the ability to check, and I am not everywhere at once. This is just from what I have personally noticed.)
That all out of the way, back to being on topic about this suggestion for me.
Tiered chest: While I understand the premise and the well intentions of this idea, it is kind of flawed without ensuring a random location spawn (Maybe kind of like mini crates, which spawn more frequently than the confirmed supply crate, with only a beacon guiding players to it, and with slightly better rates of loot than normal chests, either by increasing loot quality rates, or loot dispensing rates?
Less common bows: Yes please. Bow combat can be repetitive, that being said, all combat here can be, but bow fights tend to take much longer than close-quarters; and while more flexible about positioning of combatants, it still may be disappointing for those who would rather not be a sniper all of the time.
Chest skulls: Meh, they're okay, a little annoying at times, mocking you on a bad run due to your lack of gear, but it doesn't hinder much in terms of game play.
Permanently equip kits: Make it like Splatter. Splatter does the good kits.
Confirmation for kit purchases: YES PLEASE.