I put in my 2c some months ago about how to rework it and still include a bit of grind and not entirely overhaul their system. I consider it a compromise as well, but it is a very different system. It’s based on choosing a weapon with specific properties, then taking it into the game to improve the stats based on doing specific tasks associated with those stats (like getting crits increases the crit chance perk level, etc). So, no re-rolling or random stats, just playing the game to improve it in a quasi-learn-by-doing sort of thing.
That said, I’d still be happy(er) with an athanor setup.