The only issue I have with Runes Reforged is the lack of stat customization

The old runes system does one thing really well. It lets you customize your stats very precisely. You don't have to swap out a whole suite of things to pick up that one thing you want.

I'm glad we're getting a new system with more gameplay but you have to admit, it leaves something to be desired when it comes to that precise customization. It's just not there. If you want attack speed you have to take Precision and everything that comes with it. Even if you just want Legend: Alacrity on a champion, you still need to take the whole secondary tree and pick another rune out of it. That's just one example. Defensive options have the same issue. If you want to pick up extra armor or MR you have to give up whatever secondary tree you might have wanted. If you want AD or AP you need to take Domination, Sorcery, or Inspiration, meaning you can only take those keystones. Some champions will definitely have their keystone choices influenced by which stats come with which tree.

I really think the best solution would be to change early game itemization to bring back that level 1 stat customization. We just need more nuanced choices instead of the 3 generalized Doran's items. That would make up for the loss of rune stats better than base stat changes can do.

I mean, maybe you can make the argument that most of the time a champion wanted the same stats, but it doesn't really hold up because in those few times when the champion needs different stats, it's very crucial. The whole reason somebody would switch runes is because it's very important in that matchup. We need that customization or else we're going to have some hard counters that are way over the top.