Counters Should Always Unlock Before the Threats They Counter

This is actually a golden rule in game balance. The majority of the community should have unlocked the counter to an item before the majority of the community have unlocked the threat. It should also be cheaper to counter the threat than the cost of the threat.

For example; - AP ammo should be unlocked before Tier 3 and 4 armour - MAAWS & AT mines should be unlocked before armour vehicles - Iglas before attack birds Etc

Also the normal golden rule is to have the default weapon be viable to any end game weapon. The logic why it’s different in war dogs is that the more powerful weapons like M4 costs more money but what’s not considered is that by the time you get the M4 the chances are money isn’t as important as it was when you are first starting out so the cost matters less.