It's sort of annoying to me how some things are blatantly more powerful than other things.
Like how you only need a Skolver and a Vog Cub set, and you're done with swordsman armor.

Or how one sword upgrade path is the best, no matter what.
Same with guns and bombs(?)

I want there to be at least some balancing between items, so that you don't completely suck if you don't have the mainstream items.

The Brandish lines are a good example of balancing IMO.