Gaming systems and methods using dynamic modifiers

A method of using a gaming system comprising game-logic circuitry and a gaming machine, the gaming machine having a display device in communication with the game-logic circuitry, the method comprising:

• displaying, via the display device, a symbol array comprising a plurality of symbols and a modifier array comprising a plurality of modifiers;
• selecting, by the game-logic circuitry and for a plurality of rounds of populating the symbol array with symbols, a subarray of the modifier array, the selected subarray displayed by the display device;
• generating, using a random-number generator of the game-logic circuitry, one or more random numbers to determine an outcome of a round of the plurality of rounds;
• in response to the outcome of the round including an upgrade symbol, upgrading, by the game-logic circuitry, one or more modifiers within the modifier array;
• in response to the outcome of the round including a swap symbol, swapping, by the game-logic circuitry, modifiers between two or more array positions within the modifier array;
• and
• in response to a trigger round of the plurality of rounds, causing, by the game-logic circuitry, the display device to apply the modifiers of the subarray to an outcome associated with the trigger round.