(arme)loadouts.meta

: Before editing any XML data, save a copy of the original file. This allows for a quick recovery if the game crashes or if the changes do not work as intended.

Popular mods like "Improved Loadouts" use these edits to make the world feel more alive. For instance, you can set gangs to have a higher chance of carrying pistols as their primary weapon so they don't always default to Micro-SMGs, making street-level encounters feel more grounded. The Relationship with weapons.meta

Located within your game directory at common/data/ai , this file dictates the default "kits" for various pedestrian groups. By editing it, you can: (arme)loadouts.meta

: Equip SWAT teams with suppressed carbine rifles or bullpup rifles for a more tactical feel.

: The specific weapon ID (referenced from weapons.meta ) that a group should carry. Ammo : The amount of ammunition the NPC spawns with. : Before editing any XML data, save a

When you open the file in a text editor or OpenIV , you’ll see several recurring tags that define how NPCs are armed:

: Allows you to add attachments like flashlights, suppressors, or extended magazines. For instance, you can set gangs to have

For GTA V modders, this file is the key to controlling exactly what weapons different groups of NPCs carry, as well as the gear the player receives when using weapon cheats. Whether you're looking to create a hardcore tactical overhaul or a chaotic urban warzone, understanding this file is essential. What is loadouts.meta ?