One of the things that made me go back to Diablo 2 waaaay too many times is the large variety of item mods and combinations (I rarely played to make the "best" builds, but rather fun builds, like maxing run speed by sacrificing all useful qualities, or finding unheard of builds that can still compete). No, I don't want SK to copy D2 (I could just go back to D2 if I wanted that). BUT, more variety in item traits could spice things up by encouraging more "fun to play" builds that may not be the strongest builds. This adds replay value, as you usually go for standard good items to then fund your exploration of so many different items.

Please, try not to let this devolve into item trait suggestions like "quadruple sword damage if user is on fire and poisoned at the same time" or "earn CE on each kill". Try your best to be CREATIVE, USEFUL, and BALANCED (although the occasional useless-but-fun trait doesn't hurt). Of course whether traits are balanced often depends on what they are found on. Feel free to post "obviously needs balancing" ideas in case they inspire more refined ideas, just no god-mode wishlists.

My suggestions (hopefully more to be added):

-Extra gun shots per reload (on armor)
-Longer sword reach (on armor)
-Chance for shield to *status effect* attackers upon breaking
-Forward-only shield (maybe stronger, or larger pushback, or larger to cover teammates?)
-Shield that boosts attack speed but slows movement speed significantly when not at full strength
-Sword charge that, instead of unleashing a single attack, puts you in "frenzy mode" with high damage and attack rate, but shield is unavailable (or you take more damage?). Really needs proper balancing, but would add fun challenge.
-Gun that, with each full clip of consecutive hits, boosts charge attack strength or "quality", up to 3 clips. Must charge as usual when you want to use it, and un-boosted charge is near-pointless, maybe normal shots are a little weak too. "Quality" would be the equivalent of a bigger owl or more ricochets... except here a variation of (whatever charge attack is).
-5*+ items (effectively 6*), but so powerful all other gear equipped must be 4* or lower (likely too hard to balance, I just like the idea of OP items coming with big drawbacks).
-Prismatech-like elemental gun, but weaker. Can be fed by a vial to add a status effect (1 vial for one level). 4* and 5* can take two vials. I don't want to break the "choose your equipment wisely" dynamic with on-the-fly variation like this, but this would be fun and it's all elemental, not changing damage types. Probably can't take curse (maybe curse just boosts damage). (Can be slightly UP so long as it's fun to use).
-Wolver set 5* variation that, when completed, replaces any charge attack with teleport (might be too bug/exploit prone?). Has its own charge time (not affected by weapon charge time bonuses). Not applicable to bombs. This replaces sword bonuses?
-Completed jelly 4*+ set has a small chance to add Impostocube disguise to your costume for one level. During that level, all mini jellies killed drop one crown (not counting respawning ones), perk is too small and rare to affect balance.
-Perfect snowballs can be equipped in a vial slot and thrown at enemies or teammates, only on snow/ice levels. No damage or status effects, for laughs only. Snowballs are not consumed, but can only be thrown once on a level. Snowball leaves visible splotch of snow on costume. Perhaps hitting friended teammates steals one crown. Not sure if they can be pulled from inventory, or if they must be found that level. Might use a 5th vial slot.
-Kitchen sink item set (a helm, armor, sword, gun and bomb). Requires a ridiculous amount of materials (say 50 1*, 40 2* 25 3* mats for the 1* version, goes up from there), but the ingredients can be anything, so long as it is, say, 50, of the same thing (or whatever quantity that is needed). Maybe requires 50 of two different 1* items, etc. Item stats are relatively low, but 1 and 2* items have 1 UV (re-rolls every level of the clockworks), 3* and 4* have 2 UVs, 5* has 3 UVs. Balanced so that it is never OP, usually UP. Should cost enough mats that it acts as a trophy item more than anything else. Suddenly people will hoarde all those extra mats. Item appearance may be affected by input items.

No, I don't expect many (any?) of these to be implemented, but the idea here is to spark interest in improving the game by adding fun and variety, rather than just stronger monsters and yet another more OP item to strive for. I apologize for the wall of text.