With Emphasis on Budget Efficiency, What System or Additions Would You Make

What are a few ideas for modifications to the combat system that you think could go a long way to make the battle system with comparatively little (as opposed to making a new system) expenditure?

Or, if the current system is unworkable for what you imagine or require to achieve the level of entertainment you're looking for, what's a new system you could introduce that would be both somewhat simplistic (programming-wise) and comprehensive (not at all having to be simple game-play wise)?

Consider this a creative practice. This has little to no chance of getting into the game. My only intention here was to garner serious ideas, and to have those ideas put forth in a perspective that gave a glimpse at designing from a developers standpoint, where costs do matter.