I would propose moving to a system that uses .5 slots as well. this would allow for a greater variety when choosing weapon loadouts. Many items wouldnt change their slot value at all only crappy items would be .5 slots and better items would be more slots depending on the item group.
For example:
barbed arrows- .5 slot
bodkins arrow- 1 slot
bastard sword- 1.5 slots
Great sword- 2 slots
bolts- .5 slot
steel bolt- 1 slot
old heater sheild- .5 slot
board shield- 1 slot
war darts- .5 slot
jarids- 1 slot
yumi/horn bow- 1.5 slot
long/rus bow- 2 slot
Examples of builds under new system:
2h archer
Barbed arrows- 1/2 slot
Barbed arrows- 1/2 slot
horn bow- 1.5 slot
bastard sword 1.5 slot
= 4 slots
Long bow archer
bodkins- 1 slot
longbow- 2slots
scrimtar- 1 slot
= 4 slots
For horses i would propose that you get 1 base slot and any horse over 1 slot would cut into your 4 weapon slots. The 1 horse slot however cannot be added to the weapon slots to make 5 slots. Heres an example to try and make this clear.
sumpter = 1 slot 4 weap slot + 1 horse slot - 1 slot sumpter = 4 slots left for weapons
courser = 1.5 slots 4 weap slot + 1 horse slot - 1.5 slot courser = 3.5 slots left for weapons
charger = 2 slots 4 weap slot + 1 horse slot - 2 slot charger = 3 slots left for weapons
Horse xbow build
light xbow- .5 slot
steel bolts-1 slot
steel bolts-1 slot
scrimtar- 1 slot
arabian warhorse- 1.5 slots
= 4 weapon + 1 horse slot
These are just ideas but i think alot more could be done to improve the current slot system. Obviously my system isn't perfect either
but it would make class selection and weapon choices more interesting as well as give value to lower ranked items.