What makes the item system so bad?

[Jester]

Problem is that I feel like these sacrifices just lead me on a merry go round. Giving up one for the other, and it just doesn't matter.

This sounds like RPG existential angst. If trading the various stats around isn't your thing, why on earth are you playing this game? This is the very core of the roguelike gearing progression.

-Jester