I don't think the real issue is what is done overall, but what is refused to be done. Going around removing/nerfing items, then bribing existing player who already have said item by not taking it away from them... What kind of balancing is this? And don't get me wrong, I understand that it's not easy. It's a lose-lose situation, either you accept that you designed yourself into a corner for that aspect or take a whole lot of flak for the change. But this 'bartering', in the long run, does nothing but instill distrust and frustration to anyone who'd care to create a new character. Not to mention the general paranoia or disdain to report anything that could be slightly beneficial.
That feeling didn't just appear out of thin air. These indecisive fixes leave nothing but rifts within the community, and I'm rather surprised that you get surprised when something negative from it belches up from it as a result. I'm sorry that there was no easy way to say all of this
, but it's starting to be painful to watch from the outside and I doubt it will get better with time unless things change.
If anyone truly cares for balance, then why are we worried about an extra socket when something like this is allowed to exist?:
Is this really a fix? Is this balance?
Fix the real issues, and fix them well. Yes, we'll rage on it at first, but in the long run, it's the best for both the game and the community. Maybe you'll see a little faith from your players once the real problems start to be solved.
And to the community, wouldn't this be better than sitting in our little corner with all our secrets while everyone wallows in their enmity over trinkets? Maybe the Devs could make an informed decision if you all didn't hide every undocumented 'feature', no?