more simple gear could also mean removal of elemental stats and accuracy and/or parry. things that have no use or make things more complicated than they have to.
unless you read up outside the game a player would naturally think parry is a good thing for tanks or that player wouldn't have an idea about how much acc you need. these are stats noone needs anymore.
gear that adjusts abilities is probably hard to balance cause it could be either too powerful for it's ilvl or makes no real difference at all and you would go with the higher stat gear anyway.