Items > Character design - Balance

A character design can have methods to exploit,
but for the most part, the only way to exploit them is with itemization.

there are some pretty crazy item combinations, with passive & skill combos.

its extremely hard to balance.

-personally I don't get why people are so competitive over balance, I think it just has to do with the market competition or feeling less powerful and wanting more power.

This game isn't pvp but it sure does reward players who are good at the game and make it far in endgame. That's fine by me, I really don't care if it ends up looking like max level on Megabonk, I enjoyed the gameplay through the acts, and I do enjoy the gameplay solo climbing in endgame too.