Thanks on that update Aruspex.
I can understand how 'redistributing points' to ear/feet would make up for the lost presence potential of the belt slot. My issue now, is that it will still be an issue in >perception< at least since some of our quests have awarded nice belt items. I know I have a +18Academic or Outsider belt. I have only ever gotten 2 earrings on turn ins (mainly I had blackmail in multitude so that resulted in alot of vendor trash and the annoying glut of one time clickies for a point of this or that, this is annoying to ME - but that is because of my nature-> I hold on to expendables until I absolutely need them... which means they clutter my storage - but as I said, I know that's my fault), shoes I've gotten like 6 (some quests, I think)
I doubt the earrings will make up for the belt I had, the shoes might though since I seem to be able to get mults of those.
What MIGHT be better, for perception, is that you take existing 'belt' items and convert them all to other slot items for the initial pass - therefore no one feels the 'loss' of an existing 'great' belt and prepares them with some initial items for use until they find / win the newly adjusted shoes/earrings which carry more presence if I understood your current ideas.
Therefore, the belt would become simply an item to hold info and instead of adding presence to them, in the future - upgrades might give +skill (only affects the initial points maybe? or the min to parlay only etc) +Expression (like the +1 demand gloves - which, btw, you could have theorectically one like +3 demand, -2 Inspire that starts you with 3 and them with 2 inspire etc) perhaps some stats like +str (lol for carrying all the clothes!) or better +weight allowance (so it doesn't overly benefit only melee classes) or with clicky effects like +speed buff (timed or charged) for the courier diplomant
etc etc... it would make people forget about the 'old belts'
Obviously not talkign about all that on the Dip10 belts, just general thoughts.