I wouldnt mind a system when once u get to a certain Mr (say 20), allowed weapons (melee and ranged) tagged Starter get "upgraded" to advanced kinda like making a prime but without the unique feature, visual upgrade or even the desire to actually make the weapon
The upgrade would be perma and it would switch the starter stats to the advanced ones.
This would allow you to keep fave weapons without calling them Mr fodder.
yes i know rivens exist but they dont fix the problem.