I think you are confused -
There were items from a crazy version I play over hamachi with a friend accidentally put into this patch, as I've been moving around and flash drives got scrambled.
For example, Empyrian Band ring had +25-50 all stats. It now has +4-8 all stats in 1.6a
Items have fewer sockets, WAY lower stats, less pierce, less block, less leech, etc. The skill fixes I intended are also being put in, so 70% of the entire playerbase might not just be zons and sins anymore. Bosses also have higher block and dodge chance, some quite noticeably. Mercs have been redesigned with their 'invisible range0 auras' so that they will not be tanking bosses and will get rekt if you allow them to, similar to how it was in 1.3
I won't argue that the 1.6 launch was pretty much a failure, mostly on my end for trying to get it done too quickly, however, your faith will be rewarded, should you believe.
If people decide they want Mraw's 1.5b version and he is having issues packing it, I will gladly pack it for him and send it to Duff if he just sends me the data.
This isn't about egos or who's patch it is, I just want to play a great game and have a community.