Something that bothers me about some champions...

Beats stuff with his wing, is ranged instead of melee Whips stuff with his chain, is ranged instead of melee Whips stuff with his gooey arms, is melee instead of ranged Has chains but instead punchies stuff; is melee instead of ranged

Can someone explain the logic behind this?

I've always thought that Rakan should be melee since he doesn't toss projectiles--he even has a melee animation when he's close to targets, yet he isn't melee...he's ranged.

Thresh is a different case, and tbh that's up in the air for what devs decide. It used to be my understanding that if a champion isn't actively releasing a projectile, they're not considered ranged. In Thresh's case, his projectile is attached to a chain hence why I say they decide whatever. Ranged or melee, it could work.

Zac's situation ties to Thresh's. It's his fist, but it functions much like Thresh's chain and hook. If you consider Thresh's weapon and Zac's weapon the same general design, you'd expect them both to function the same. But as with Thresh, it doesn't really matter since it could be used either way.

All three lead me to Sylas. He punches stuff, but at the same time he has long, trailing chains that could be used in the same way as Thresh's. He should be using them not just with the empowered animation but in the same manner as Thresh or Rakan; considering the latter has a melee animation, Sylas could too...just doesn't. Overall, his chains are just a real distraction from what he really is. TBH I suggest either shortening the chains until they're used via his abilities or outright making him ranged. Or even make him a melee with extended attacks. That same change could be pushed towards all four of these champions, creating a third tier of basic attacks. There are already champions with abilities that give them ranged melee attacks so this isn't something so outlandish that it can't be considered. Given the designs of the four mentioned champions, it makes sense.