It's simple. Have all armor and weapons no matter their tier roll with the same stats and damage bonuses. Increases in tier of weapons should only provide rolls with higher amounts of perks to choose from and increases in tiers of armor should provide more tuning mod capabilites. This way there is still 1000% a reason to grind light level because you will have a much easier time finding the gear rolls you want but at the same time it isn't so utterly consequential if you don't.
Simple peas Robert is your uncle. Listen to pigeon man bungo plz.
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So many people with brilliant ideas on how they can fix everything; why haven't you all collaborated and opened a game studio? I have no doubt the first game would be an absolute blockbuster.