Is quality rating typically always worth upgrading for?

[Gadzooks]

I come across many items that are a good +20 quality levels higher than what im using, however the stats on them arent things I care about. Given, im still only in my 30s, so Ive still got a lot of leveling to do before "end game" gear.

Is this game like Destiny 2 and Divison, where in order to get higher quality items, it depends on the quality you currently have equipped?

[michaelmerlin]

No, but notice the basic stat an item provides, like the bonus damage from sigryms, extra HP from belt items, ect. These can be quite important.

[RhodosGuard]

Stats > Quality

Especially if you (as you probably will) gravitate towards a crit build. Most builds gravitate towards that. Mostly because crits are broken af.

And in such a system, it doesnt matter if an item has +100000 Quality, if I lose Crit chance/Strength/Damage.

Usually, the deciding factor for an item is the Relic Enchant and the stats.