I can’t stand the pacts on items and how it forces me to either give up an item or give up a vampiric power until I can mod the item to have the pacts I need to maintain parity. It forces the terrible itemization to take center stage every time I open my inventory and it is a horrible mechanic, in my opinion.

Hasn’t this always been the case once you reach the point where you start bothering to worry about itemization?

After a certain level I never slot a new item in until I’m able to spend a bit of time in town getting the aspect, enchantment, upgrades, and gems right. This is just another step in the process.

(Not that this whole process isn’t a chore, but those tiny dopamine hits for completing a chore are probably there by design. Getting a new piece of gear is always exciting after a certain point, starting the process of tailoring it to fit your build.)