Gear currently has a 6 month lifespan. It would be nice to have a few pieces that are strong enough to survive a year, and be better than something 20 ilvls higher or more.

For example at current rates, each ilvl170 accessory will be very close to 4% of your main stat. Give an ilvl170 accessory +4% to main stat, and some nifty extra whatever. When you upgrade the rest of your gear it gains the main stat, but not fast enough to keep the main stat on par with new gear. The extra effect is enough to make it powerful right away, then viable through a couple upgrades.