stone quest
With the latest patch, I think we can now say generally that nearly all armor, weapons, accessories, and ingredients, have been properly rebalanced.
Yet despite this, I feel set items are still in need of a rebalance or rework. The last rebalance #1331399184905015346 message
While many of the sets have been re-balanced in the past, the changes haven't really fixed their problems and issues. Since most sets are still very weak, lack a purpose, or completely out of the way. Some of the exceptions being morph, Leaf, Saint, Outlaw, Cosmic, Snow, Spider, Ultramarine, and the hidden sets. (basically all the rest suck)
So I propose giving them more of a identity by rebalancing sets in 4 distinct ways. **
A. First I suggest they should be made worse than well designed custum builds, but perform better than builds using that combining random items, without accounting for synergy. (stronger than just using a bunch of random rare and legendary items at a certain level range)(basically make them balanced around a proper set build, like how players combine gear endgame to make optimal sets)** (like how morph is scaled for endgame content, the rest of the sets should be balanced like morph but for their own respective level ranges)
**B. ** Second I propose that the stats of each set should be designed to serve a specific role. Thus based upon each sets themes, I suggest balancing their stats and set bonuses around either encouraging certain play style, or to serve a specific function, like xp or loot grinding. Since by balancing them around a certain play styles or purposes, they will have a distinct use that is easy to both understand and use. (All purpose sets like morph can still exist, no morph doesn't deserve a buff)
C. (Maybe consider adding a tool-tip for set bonuses, explaining what the set is useful for.) I know tool-tips don't normally explain information like this, but this could help many new players understand both the purpose of set items, and teach them to learn about how certain stats impact play styles. Along with the changes proposed in the second point, this could teach players how to use different builds. (An issue many new players face, preventing them from learning stats until the endgame)
D. Certain sets are so far out of the way the time commitment to obtaining them doesn't make sense. So I propose that some of them should perhaps be added as cave or world event rewards, in areas nearby their normal drops. (examples include, horse, nether, silverfish, Bony, slime, Beachside and maybe snail) (Also the 6 relic sets but that's its own can of worms)
...People are definitely going to accuse me this being about the relic sets again... sigh
dreamy kettle
sonic saddle
jovial cradle
random moat
worldly pumice
sharp island
crisp sail