stickydistance determines how far away you stand from the target. If memory serves (I don't use KA), kissassist will do ranged automatically if you're a certain distance from the mob. The distance setting will determine whether you need to either move closer or further away from the target when you engage. If you need to move further away, you will back up and put yourself in bow range rather than melee range. Someone more familiar with KA can give the specific details.