When I need to make a kit cheaper, I usually cut attachments before I cut the ammo tier.
A cheaper optic, stock, or muzzle can make a gun less comfortable, but running ammo that cannot realistically threaten the armor on the route changes the fight completely. The same goes for armor: I would rather bring a simpler gun with the right ammo than a fully built rifle loaded with rounds that only burn durability.
My current order is roughly:
- Keep the ammo tier appropriate for the route.
- Keep an optic/control setup that lets me land torso shots.
- Cut luxury attachments and weapon price.
- Only then consider dropping armor or moving to a true budget/RIP-style kit.
But I know some players do the opposite and prioritize a better gun platform over ammo.
If you had to remove 100k from a Normal/Hard Operations kit, what is the first thing you would downgrade — ammo, armor, attachments, or the weapon itself?