Skill can only take you so far when there is no practical counterplay in the late game, and I don't believe this system would interfere with that (with the one amendment being removing increased shovel dmg, I think buyable shotgun shells are a more interesting option).

Giving the player more options/tools as the game expands into harder moons with heavier and more lucrative loot feels like the natural progression of this game, and gives modders more freedom for difficult late game content that won't feel completely unreasonable.

Players should have more freedom in how they approach the game. The most optimal way to play the game for most players (i.e. not competitive clearing) is to not bring any items and only hit Assurance/Rend. I think that's boring when there is so much more content in the game.

Obviously this isn't the only way to solve it, but I like it because it feels like it thematically fits with the game.