static final ItemStack[][] equipment;
	static {
		// note - any extra items are ignored in the setArmorContents() method, which we use to compactly store the desired weapon
		equipment = new ItemStack[][6];
		equipment[0] = new ItemStack[5];
		equipment[1] = new ItemStack[] { new ItemStack(Material.LEATHER_BOOTS), new ItemStack(Material.LEATHER_LEGGINGS), new ItemStack(Material.LEATHER_CHESTPLATE), new ItemStack(Material.LEATHER_HELMET), new ItemStack(Material.WOOD_AXE) };
		equipment[2] = new ItemStack[] { new ItemStack(Material.CHAINMAIL_BOOTS), new ItemStack(Material.CHAINMAIL_LEGGINGS), new ItemStack(Material.CHAINMAIL_CHESTPLATE), new ItemStack(Material.CHAINMAIL_HELMET), new ItemStack(Material.WOOD_SWORD) };
		equipment[3] = new ItemStack[] { new ItemStack(Material.IRON_BOOTS), new ItemStack(Material.IRON_LEGGINGS), new ItemStack(Material.IRON_CHESTPLATE), new ItemStack(Material.IRON_HELMET), new ItemStack(Material.IRON_SWORD) };
		equipment[4] = new ItemStack[] { new ItemStack(Material.GOLD_BOOTS), new ItemStack(Material.GOLD_LEGGINGS), new ItemStack(Material.GOLD_CHESTPLATE), new ItemStack(Material.GOLD_HELMET), new ItemStack(Material.GOLD_SWORD) };
		equipment[5] = new ItemStack[] { new ItemStack(Material.DIAMOND_BOOTS), new ItemStack(Material.DIAMOND_LEGGINGS), new ItemStack(Material.DIAMOND_CHESTPLATE), new ItemStack(Material.DIAMOND_HELMET), new ItemStack(Material.DIAMOND_SWORD) };
	}

....

		if (wave >= 5) {
			ItemStack[] waveEquip = equipment[0];

			if (wave < 10) {
				waveEquip = equipment[1];
			} else if (wave < 15) {
				waveEquip = equipment[2];
			} else if (wave < 20) {
				waveEquip = equipment[3];
			} else if (wave < 25) {
				waveEquip = equipment[4];
			} else {
				waveEquip = equipment[5];
			}
			for (ControllableMob<LivingEntity> cm : monsters) {
				LivingEntity e = cm.getEntity();
				if (!e.getType().equals(EntityType.CREEPER)
						&& !e.getType().equals(EntityType.WITCH)) {
					EntityEquipment equip = e.getEquipment();
					equip.setArmorContents(waveEquip);
					equip.setItemInHand(waveEquip[4]);

					equip.setBootsDropChance(0);
					equip.setChestplateDropChance(0);
					equip.setHelmetDropChance(0);
					equip.setLeggingsDropChance(0);
					equip.setItemInHandDropChance(0);

					if (Math.ulp(e.getMaxHealth()) <= 0.0625) { // soft-cap increases
						e.setMaxHealth(e.getMaxHealth() + amplifier);
					}
				}
			}
		}