Quote Originally Posted by Urthdigger View Post
Hate to break it to you, but there's always going to be the "one mathematically correct" answer to optimizing a class.
Yes absolutely.
But that doesn't mean we should dumb the game stats down to "Gloves of power+20" and they are 100% better than your "Gloves of power+19".

Even if it's an illusion of choice, the difference in stats can really be fun to work with. And for those who don't find theorycrafting or playing with unique stats entertaining can just wait until someones figured out the mathematically correct choice and run with that. Wanting more of x stat while maintaining a minimum speed and accuracy were something to actually do. Something to think about while getting the gear you do have. Getting one cool new piece may change your entire loadout!
But we're taking away more and more and eventually we'll just have one bland stat. ilvl is already almost that as it is.

Quote Originally Posted by D_C View Post
And ya know what? We still aren’t shown an approximate average of what they do. Yer ability ta customize them is wank - even if ya go nuts with materia ya see changes of 3-4%. Wow matey, I’m blown away.
This is what actually makes what I mentioned above true. Not knowing the exact values adds to the mystery and gives the players something to do with them, rather than just receiving them.