[zokemon]

That's why you make any item have almost any stat if you craft it right. Just add a few limitations for any diviations (not in power though) like some high level earth protection might only be able to be put on wood armor or something along those lines (other elements would go on other things if you catch my drift). This then moves away from the "oh, I leveled up. Let's see what my armor looks like now" sort of thing.