Scribe
Legend
Its an interesting question to me.Oh, god, no. Please, can we not expect characters advancement to be placed on stuff? Unless, of course, you just intend the +5 sword to be a sweet bonus not expected by the system math?
Disclosure: I love items, and I love party synergy.
I find the idea that we cannot have these things as part of the expected math, sets us back dramatically. If the only expectation is personal power x X (where X is your party total) then the point of balance is off, if items (which I love) and party dynamics (in terms of synergy between classes and abilities) are leaned into.
I understand the issue from the other perspective as well, that would then mandate certain party composition, or a specific threshold of items being utilized, but I feel there must be some kind of middle ground.