Upping set item would be a nice thing, I dont think it would be over powred but make say viable to last through hell mode etc. Just an idea I always liked.
Quality of life isn’t the phrase you are looking for here.
QoL = Quality of Life, this is changing a method not the end outcome.
This statement is factually incorrect.
That said I don’t think it would impact the game that much one way or another. Any set item that you want to take to end game currently can be taken there.
What set would you use exactly, if you could even up it?
This isn’t really QoL but if they were to add this I would also want Eth set pieces. That would never happen because it would render most items useless unless you used a zod, but I think it would be fun to build an eth set long-term for bragging rights. Plus you can give your merc a few pieces, I guess.
There are several worth upping though it would not be the complete set but, portions of them. I also think this would make things interesting without breaking the game or it’s mechanics. They actually changed a lot of the sets a while back in anticipation of doing this. At one time a lot of the lower sets had percentages for increased defense and the like and were changed to + to def equal to what the average percentages were.
Setpieces are most of the time useless because they are inferior to even the easiest runewords. Some of them give a neat bonus to MF but the parts are so low tier that they aren’t worth it.
Ok, lets have fun with OP idea. I had few minutes so I started modding stuff to show you guys how it would look like. After I saw the results, I dont think uping sets would create problems, because most of the items is useless anyway.
I sadly didnt have all items, its just few examples:
ht tps://javurek.rajce.idnes.cz/Diablo_2_set_upgrading/
Just remove space between “ht tp” to see my gallery
Its not even worth implementing as most of sets items have poor magic abilities to have significant effect on exceptional or elite version.
Try deaths glove and belt. tancred’s boots with amy (for MFing), Griswalds Armor, Sigon’s Belt and Gloves, Aldur’s Boots and Mace (3os), Hwanins belt and armor
I tried aldur mace, upgrading to elite version didnt do almost anything. I dont have gris armor I didnt have enough items, it would not change much, you can check items on arraet summit, sets just have poor game bonuses. Its pointless to upgrading normal weapon version which has +25% dmg or +50% enhanced defense.
Don’t get me wrong you are not going to be replacing gg end game gear except for very specific builds. It will however allow some weird builds more power and/or defense
I dont know man, did you see the pictures? these upgraded items are trash 
I did DTM Sorc is one of them weird builds that would get a boost from it.
Upgrading set items be nice addition to the game. Would love to upgrade death belt to hold more potions.
I really like this suggestion.
Using Tal Rasha’s Wrappings as an example: Upping the belt and helm would net +70 to +130 extra defense between the two. Figure roughly double that from the cold armor skill. It’s not a lot of extra defense, but every little bit helps reduce the chance of being hit. It would also up the minimum strength required to wear the set to 106, however since most Sorceresses are using a Spirit Monarch, that wouldn’t matter.
Now if sets were also allowed to roll ethereal, that would be a big game changer.
I guess I was wrong in wording that, I am thinking it would make leveling easier if say you have found a full set, level up sigons for the defense, I can allready use it in hell on a Paladin and do well. A few sets have nice pieces that would be great to up such as belts and helms,and weapons
Upping set items would be an improvement, but maybe not a QOL.
Maybe there should be a recipe to upgrade set items to their next type.
Ex: Cow King’s Hide (Studded Leather) upgraded to Cow King’s Hide (Trellised Armor).
Upgrading item type and item stats.
Who wants to do a Cow run on Hell difficulty to get Studded Leather armor?
But, if you can get Wire Fleece armor, it is worth the risk.
Agreed. After upping my MF I’ve now seen a handful of set items (none apply to my necro but whatever). These usually have like…1 or 2 traits max. I get the fact that the whole set is needed to make it awesome but even lowball blues are better then this most of the time.