Socketed Runes/Soul Cores should be replaceable

I think you should be able to remove runes/soul cores from sockets in order to switch them out with different runes/soul cores.

The reason why I think this, is so that its easier to change your stats depending on what you currently need like switching resistances around.
This would be a huge quality of life improvement and would make gearing both a little easier and less RNG reliant because this would allow you to more easily switch out gear pieces without ruining all your resistances.

Especially since the socket system is a replacement of the crafting bench from poe 1 and being able to switch around the crafted stats is a huge part of the usefulness of the crafting bench.
I do think though that in order to balance this change runes/soul cores once removed from a socket should be destroyed so that socketing them still has a cost.

I think overall this would be a huge improvement for the game and would make gearing much more fun and easier for the average player as well as making getting upgrades less reliant on RNG.

I agree

I even think that they could make it be only replaceable at an NPC in case they do not want you to switch it on the fly in a map for whatever reason.

it just is a bit too much friction right now that they are permanent as it also devalues reselling uniques if you socket something in that might not be universally fit for everyone, which I think is a shame.

agree

I agree. This is imo the problem with their mtx system. They benefit from people having to hoard stuff. Storing more armor pieces for different scenarios takes up more stash space. I can get behind their cosmetics system and all that.
But the storage I kinda disagree with. Even though I've gotten it myself for QoL.
It just ends up dictating too much in regards to game mechanics and changes to it because of said reasons.

Why is it even 2 distinct names?
Why not just runes T1 and T2?

Wewren't they supposed to make it simple? Why complicate it further

If Runes were supposed to "solve" issues with our build like the Crafting Bench, then adding/removing them needs to feel similar. Placing Runes should be free, but instead of it being permanent, Runes should be removable with an amount of gold or a currency item like the Artificer's Orb. This would give you the Rune back (or just destroy it if GGG wants to keep the friction).

Add the ability to remove, replace, or destroy a socketed rune. This is extremely harsh, as those sockets are crucial to filling our resistance gaps and allows for more variety of gear choices. C'mon now, this is way too punishing and expensive. Adding this QOL feature would only help your players without negatively impacting anyone (except the RMT farmers).