ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

ARSAM. Here's the pitch. Let's ditch equipment drops in the arena and replace them with... this:

00:23 Frumple Of course, if you wanted to get _really_ radical... =p
00:24 Frumple Each class would have a predetermined set of base equipment. Every few waves, levels, or [at certain] score point[s], you get to select one of those pieces to be upgraded.
00:24 Frumple Perhaps with control over how the upgrade goes through. So you could select spikes for your armor.
00:25 Frumple But if was going to be _really_ sexy, it'd be like adding a power to a randart.
00:25 Frumple With material tier increasing automatically over time.

As a less radical (but still radical) suggestion, perhaps this:

00:22 Frumple What I'd really like to see is selected item choices at certain points
00:22 Frumple Choose an item after every miniboss round, ferex.

For fun, let's throw a poll in. Vote as you please!

Of course, Hetdegon or DG gets final say, but seeing what folks think on the subject would be neat

ARSAM. I think it's a great way to give it a try to a completely different approach to equipment. I really like the idea of selectively upgrading equipment, adding another interesting factor to the whole character build equation, but in a good way, not over-complicating it. It's also a fitting option to the whole arena concept: a gladiator gaining fame and glory for their achievements on the sand.
Although you have to consider I'm not such an experienced arena player, I've just played it a couple of times in-between characters. But I reckon the awesomeness of the mod.

Or just have an 'official arena shop' which always has level appropriate stuff(maybe based on your class too!) and which you can access every X rounds, perhaps?