an alternate method(s) of pattern swapping upgrades

[proper sparrow]

currently ouroboros is the only source of getting the best possible upgrades. and with that, the best way to do that is mindless grinding for 400 rooms as you wait 3 minutes every time you open your inventory. gets kinda braindead past room ~80, which is fine, that's how the roguelike works, but more interesting options are important for the game's balance and longevity.

basically i'd really like for some way to source optimal upgrades through non-ouroboros gameplay. i love the mode to death, but i miss the main game feeling rewarding.

maybe you could use saxonite and/or other resources? sacrifice an upgrade to integrate that pattern into another? i wouldn't want it to be too easy that the fake ID method just isn't worth it, but like. options.