I'd like to see a multiplayer variant that allows one side, or both to play as some of the creatures you encounter in the single player version. No gearing, just playing with the decks these mobs typically have.
Hello! This can already be done setting up a Custom Game. There is a very helpful introductory guide on the wiki: http://wiki.cardhuntria.com/wiki/A_Tutorial_to_making_custom_scenarios It requires a bit of effort but it sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
There's an entire forum thread 'Custom Games' dedicated for this and a currently running custom board contest by Farbs to win pizza. Check it out !