You mean Ultimates? Let's not turn this into a MOBA.

A limited use jetpack? Hmmmmm.....

Yes, this pretty much [i]needs[/i] to happen IMO. Equipment adds a fresh dynamic to how you play on a map, even if you don't realise it. Getting the Bubble Shield or Power Drain could be just as important as getting the power weapons during a match, it added a greater sense of teamwork as you could protect one of your team mates from an enemy with a Rocket Launcher and deny them the kill, or you could disable a vehicle while your buddy sneaks up behind it to deliver the killing blow. What's important here is that you actually have to pick equipment up, you don't spawn with it, it's something to work for which adds a new dimension to the risk-reward style of play. There were very few experiences that could best the time I got an overkill when my team mate threw a Power Drain onto the roof of the enemy's base during a CTF game on Longshore and I popped up with the BR to deliver 4 perfect headshots. Equipment feels satisfying to use as a supplement to the 'golden triangle' of Halo's gameplay formula, Armour Abilities do not because they have turned that triangle into a square - the 'tin quadrilateral', if you will. AAs either need to go and make way for Equipment's return, or they should be significantly altered so that you have to pick them up around the map. You want a Regeneration Field? Go to location x to get it, you get that ability until you die and another player comes along to pick it up. That seems like a reasonable compromise because it means that a specific player on the battlefield is given a role rather than everybody spawning with the same abilities.