Data wise, the system has all the makings of a 'paper-doll' system. You can equip different things do diferent slots (helms, breastplates, cloaks, etd. ), though ATM accessories are limitless (if you find 100+ rings, I beleive you cna equip them all).

In the polish phase I can see getting an improved Unit Details window in that has the slots you're all looking for

"In the polish phase I can see getting an improved Unit Details window in that has the slots you're all looking for "

BoogieBac-Could it also be tied to the miniatures?  My Soverign or Champions find a Axe of Headsmiting equips it in ragdoll inventory window and automatically the regular wood staff I was using becomes miniature with dble bladed large heavy axe of doom!   Would this be tough or easy to do?  Same would go with the other equipment.  I think I will be playing cloth map mode quite extensively.  Or is this just something a mod might need to do?

I am kind of hoping that the "Item Stores" for champions will be consistently about 1 tech level above that available for regular troops.

Lets say that each piece of equipment has an inherent gold value X (like the default avg market value for various materials). If you have tech level N, then buying Items for your champions at tech level N will be 0.5(X), while buying Items for your champions at tech level N+1 would be X. Rare or Legendary items and artifacts would be available at 1.5(X). Sometimes a "rare" item could be simply an item you have found that exists at tech level N+2 or greater. These would also be available at the cost of 1.5(X).

Essentially, this allows for your Favored high level Champions to be consistently better equipped than your soldiers, even without using that Blazing Sword +3 you found from a quest.

In Suikoden a character was allowed up to 4 rings and up to 3 runes.

The runes were Right Hand, Left Hand, and Forehead.

the runes were a good deal more powerful than rings as well ...

as a side feature i would like it so that if you take a town, you get 1 or 2 items from the players vault that you defeated.  this would be a random item.

hmm I like that idea!

Inventory management is a mess (3C) because it's unorganized in the bar. Clicking the unit and organizing through there is better. One solution could be to expand the bar when you click "items" to accommodate for more rows of items. I love the idea of keeping defeated enemies items! Lastly, when you upgrade your equipment it might be a good idea to update the character's portrait (or put an option in somewhere to manually update it).

We also need improved shop inventory organization. BIG TIME! Later in the game its ridiculous...

Yeah, I'm for a paper doll system too, with a limit of two rings per unit.  Maybe the rings could be made a bit more powerful too under this system.

Best regards,
Steven.