[Venom_Fish]

An items stats should be decided by its value and purpose.

Value normally consists of rarity amongst other things so that will just be factored in either way and won't be viewed as a standalone or separate variable.

If the purpose changes, so should the stats.
Yet, if the purpose changes but the value justifies the change, it should remain.
If the purpose changes as well as the value changes, so should its stats.

Overall the value should be the MAJOR determining factor, mainly when it is initially created. If an item is never touched since its creation, regardless of what happens to its value; it should always remain as-is. Seeing as value on the playermarket will change with time.

If you have people that constantly alter items for that own nimrodic reasons (Era Staff), this all gets twisted and even more complicated.