Loadout optimizer: keep the M4, cut kit cost

Start with an M4, Level 3 Armor, a Level 3 Helmet and a Pouch. Their listed prices make a $6,300 kit. In the loadout optimizer, keep the M4 fixed, allow the two protection slots to change, require at least 40% armor and helmet reduction, and set a $4,500 budget. The result uses Level 2 Armor and Helmet: $4,300 per kit, $2,000 less than the starting kit.

The M4 is fixed. Only Armor and Helmet can change, and the $4,300 result fits the $4,500 limit.

Set the protection you need

Open Optimize loadout from a prepared loadout to bring its equipment into the optimizer. Uncheck Primary if the weapon must stay. Check only the slots you are willing to change. Set minimum reduction from the protection you actually need against your expected target, then add a budget. A low result is irrelevant if it breaks your protection requirement.

This example moves from Level 3's 55% reduction to Level 2's 40% for both slots. That trade saves $2,000 and produces a known 9.32 kg kit. If your target requires 55%, keep the Level 3 pieces instead. The ballistics guide lets you test a chosen protection level against a weapon and range. New equipment level limits should use the levels you entered in Progression.

Level 2 Helmet is $500 and Level 2 Armor is $1,000; the M4 stays at $2,800.

Check the whole result

Read Kept and Changed on every slot. Open the proposed kit in the loadout builder to check ammunition, magazines and packing before saving. If an item has unknown price or weight, treat the displayed number as incomplete. Copy link shares the starting kit and constraints; the optimizer does not know which equipment your squad already owns.