I ended up having an absolutely cracked Loot run today that actually got me my first win in the mode (sure, it was on Easy, but still). My selection of blessing/curse 'purchases' this run was exquisite, and a few lucky items (Glass Blade + Silk Cape and Twisted Bar + Two Reeds come to mind, as well as Infinity for Hexia) got me through the entire run with only a couple of deaths (including a mage sacrifice to OHKO Hexia with Infinity). Even got an achievement for beating level 20 in a single turn!