My idea is simple, it would require a lot of rebalancing of aspects but it would provide for a deeper and more elegant system.
In diablo 4 each class has an average of 10 gear spots. The legendary aspects are divided into 5 categories (offensive, defensive, resource, mobility and utility).
We would be getting a separate aspects menu that will still be somehow linked to gear, will dd more on that later but let’s say we have the following menu:
Helm: 2 usable aspect slots (utility, defensive)
Chest: 2 usable aspect slots (defensive)
Gloves: 2 usable aspect slots (offensive, utility, resource)
Pants: 2 usable slots (defensive, mobility)
Boots: 2 usable slots (utility, resource)
Amulet: 2 usable slots (offensive, utility, resource)
Rings: 4 usable slots (offensive, resource)
Weapons: 3 usable slots (offensive, utility)
Equipping an unique in one of those slots would basically block the powers on that gear slot and make you unable to use those slots. In the case of rings say for example you have a rare one and an unique, you would be getting -2 usable slots for that category.
This would free us from the basically useless legendary items, they are just aspect holders and would maybe make for some interesting choices between rare items and uniques.
This might require a big balance rework on the value of aspects since you would be able to use a lot more but it might be more future proof than our current system.
Just a quick idea, let me know your thoughts.