I don't know if this is possible in DG, how much work it would require, or if it would be a + for the game. Is it possible to have an item upgrade system such as the one in DoTA/HoN. Something like boots of speed + desperate boots = journey man thread's.
IMHO, this would make 5/6k items and 8/12k artifact more accessible in the average games, and super expensive artifact accessible in long games.
any thoughts, comments ??