diff --git a/gogobee_long_expedition_plan.md b/gogobee_long_expedition_plan.md
index 13fa7d5..07276e3 100644
--- a/gogobee_long_expedition_plan.md
+++ b/gogobee_long_expedition_plan.md
@@ -118,8 +118,9 @@ Each successful background walk now logs a `walk` entry (`appendExpeditionLog(..
 
 > **Note:** the original "Empirical (sim-driven)" path was blocked: under D2-b event-anchored expeditions, `SimRunner.TickDay` calls `deliverBriefing` → `deliverBriefingEventAnchored`, which reads `time.Now().UTC()` for its safety-net check, so synthetic ticks never advance `CurrentDay` and `DaysAtEnd` stays at 0. Re-baselining off real day-counts requires teaching the sim to drive the event-anchored rollover (D7).
 
-**Remaining work (D5-b+):**
-- "Pick your loadout" preset prompt at launch (Lean / Balanced / Heavy) — raw `Ns Md` syntax becomes the advanced override.
+**D5-b (shipped 2026-05-27):** "Pick your loadout" preset prompt at launch. `!expedition start <zone>` with no pack arg now DMs a Lean / Balanced / Heavy menu (sized per zone tier via new `loadoutPurchase(tier, SupplyLoadout)` in `dnd_expedition_supplies.go`); player replies with `!expedition start <zone> lean|balanced|heavy` (short forms `l`/`b`/`h` also work). `!resume` got the same treatment. Raw `Ns Md` syntax remains the advanced override — `resolveLoadoutOrParse` in `dnd_expedition_cmd.go` tries a single-token preset first, falls back to `parseSupplyArgs`. Heavy always equals `supplyPackCaps` (the D5-a harsh×3 ceiling); Lean covers intended days at raw burn; Balanced sits between. `parseSupplyArgs("")` still returns 1 standard for any tier — it's no longer reachable from `!expedition start` (the empty path is intercepted to prompt), but the `1s` default is preserved so future callers don't get surprise zero-pack purchases. Help text updated; two existing scenario tests now pass `lean` explicitly, three new tests cover preset resolution + the prompt-vs-start guard.
+
+**Remaining work (D5-c+):**
 - Forage and Ranger forage re-baseline against the new caps.
 - DailyBurn / `phase5BDailyBurnRatePct` revisit once D7 sim measures real elapsed-day counts.
 
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adv2_scenario_test.go b/internal/plugin/adv2_scenario_test.go
index b3bc812..b1511e5 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adv2_scenario_test.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adv2_scenario_test.go
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ func TestAdv2Scenario_HarvestForestShadows(t *testing.T) {
 	p := &AdventurePlugin{euro: euro}
 
 	// Forage-friendly expedition.
-	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start forest_shadows"); err != nil {
+	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start forest_shadows lean"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("expedition start: %v", err)
 	}
 	exp, _ := getActiveExpedition(uid)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd.go
index b6aa11f..4aff8cf 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd.go
@@ -92,16 +92,16 @@ func expeditionHelpText() string {
 	var b strings.Builder
 	b.WriteString("**!expedition** — multi-day dungeon expeditions.\n\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!expedition list` — show zones available at your level\n")
-	b.WriteString("`!expedition start <zone> [Ns] [Md]` — outfit & begin\n")
-	b.WriteString("    `Ns` = N standard packs (10 SU, 50 coins; cap scales by zone tier)\n")
-	b.WriteString("    `Md` = M deluxe packs (20 SU, 90 coins; cap scales by zone tier)\n")
-	b.WriteString("    default: `1s`\n")
+	b.WriteString("`!expedition start <zone> [loadout]` — outfit & begin\n")
+	b.WriteString("    loadout: `lean` / `balanced` / `heavy` (scales by zone tier)\n")
+	b.WriteString("    advanced: raw pack counts — `Ns Md` (e.g. `2s 1d`)\n")
+	b.WriteString("    no loadout? you'll be prompted to pick one\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!expedition run` — autopilot: walk rooms until something needs you (alias `!explore`)\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!expedition status` — current expedition snapshot\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!expedition log` — last 5 log entries\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!expedition abandon` — end the expedition (no rewards)\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!extract` — voluntary extraction (1 day, resumable for 7 days)\n")
-	b.WriteString("`!resume [Ns] [Md]` — resume an extracted expedition\n")
+	b.WriteString("`!resume [loadout]` — resume an extracted expedition (same `lean`/`balanced`/`heavy` choices)\n")
 	b.WriteString("`!map` — region/room ASCII map")
 	return b.String()
 }
@@ -178,6 +178,66 @@ func parseSupplyArgs(rest string) (SupplyPurchase, error) {
 	return p, nil
 }
 
+// resolveLoadoutOrParse first tries a single-token preset (lean/balanced/
+// heavy and short forms); on miss it falls back to raw `Ns Md` parsing.
+// Tier is needed because preset purchase counts scale by zone tier.
+func resolveLoadoutOrParse(tok string, tier ZoneTier) (SupplyPurchase, error) {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(tok)
+	if !strings.ContainsAny(trimmed, " \t") {
+		if l, ok := parseLoadoutToken(trimmed); ok {
+			return loadoutPurchase(tier, l), nil
+		}
+	}
+	return parseSupplyArgs(tok)
+}
+
+// renderLoadoutPrompt formats the "pick your loadout" DM. The resume
+// command and start command share it; cmdHint tells the player which
+// command to type back with the chosen preset.
+func renderLoadoutPrompt(zone ZoneDefinition, cmdHint string) string {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("🎒 **Pick a loadout — %s** _(T%d)_\n\n", zone.Display, int(zone.Tier)))
+	for _, l := range []SupplyLoadout{LoadoutLean, LoadoutBalanced, LoadoutHeavy} {
+		pp := loadoutPurchase(zone.Tier, l)
+		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  `%s` — %s — %.0f SU, %d coins — %s\n",
+			loadoutName(l), packBreakdown(pp), pp.Total(), pp.Cost(), loadoutBlurb(l)))
+	}
+	b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\nType `!%s %s` (or `lean` / `heavy`).\n", cmdHint, loadoutName(LoadoutBalanced)))
+	b.WriteString("Advanced: raw pack counts like `2s 1d`.")
+	return b.String()
+}
+
+func loadoutName(l SupplyLoadout) string {
+	switch l {
+	case LoadoutLean:
+		return "lean"
+	case LoadoutHeavy:
+		return "heavy"
+	}
+	return "balanced"
+}
+
+func loadoutBlurb(l SupplyLoadout) string {
+	switch l {
+	case LoadoutLean:
+		return "covers the intended run at calm burn; thin if things go sideways"
+	case LoadoutHeavy:
+		return "max cap; rides out harsh stretches and overruns"
+	}
+	return "recommended; absorbs a harsh patch or two"
+}
+
+func packBreakdown(p SupplyPurchase) string {
+	switch {
+	case p.StandardPacks > 0 && p.DeluxePacks > 0:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d standard + %d deluxe", p.StandardPacks, p.DeluxePacks)
+	case p.DeluxePacks > 0:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d deluxe", p.DeluxePacks)
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d standard", p.StandardPacks)
+	}
+}
+
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) expeditionCmdStart(ctx MessageContext, c *DnDCharacter, rest string) error {
 	if rest == "" {
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender,
@@ -195,11 +255,16 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) expeditionCmdStart(ctx MessageContext, c *DnDCharacter
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender,
 			"Unknown zone for your level. Try `!expedition list`.")
 	}
-	purchase, err := parseSupplyArgs(packTok)
+	zoneForCaps, _ := getZone(zoneID)
+	// D5-b: prompt for a preset loadout on empty args. Raw `Ns Md` syntax
+	// still works as the advanced override.
+	if strings.TrimSpace(packTok) == "" {
+		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, renderLoadoutPrompt(zoneForCaps, "expedition start "+string(zoneID)))
+	}
+	purchase, err := resolveLoadoutOrParse(packTok, zoneForCaps.Tier)
 	if err != nil {
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't parse supply packs: "+err.Error())
 	}
-	zoneForCaps, _ := getZone(zoneID)
 	if err := purchase.Validate(zoneForCaps.Tier); err != nil {
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Invalid pack selection: "+err.Error())
 	}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd_test.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd_test.go
index d704c66..acec0ce 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd_test.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_cmd_test.go
@@ -66,6 +66,76 @@ func TestParseSupplyArgs_Combinations(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolveLoadout_PresetTokens(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		tok      string
+		tier     ZoneTier
+		std, dlx int
+	}{
+		{"lean", ZoneTierBeginner, 1, 0},
+		{"balanced", ZoneTierJourneyman, 3, 0},
+		{"heavy", ZoneTierLegendary, 7, 2},
+		{"h", ZoneTierVeteran, 5, 1},
+		{"L", ZoneTierLegendary, 5, 0},
+	}
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		got, err := resolveLoadoutOrParse(c.tok, c.tier)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("%q@T%d: %v", c.tok, c.tier, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if got.StandardPacks != c.std || got.DeluxePacks != c.dlx {
+			t.Errorf("%q@T%d: got %+v, want std=%d dlx=%d", c.tok, c.tier, got, c.std, c.dlx)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveLoadout_FallsBackToRawParse(t *testing.T) {
+	got, err := resolveLoadoutOrParse("2s 1d", ZoneTierJourneyman)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.StandardPacks != 2 || got.DeluxePacks != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("raw parse: got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadoutPurchase_HeavyMatchesCaps(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tier := range []ZoneTier{ZoneTierBeginner, ZoneTierApprentice, ZoneTierJourneyman, ZoneTierVeteran, ZoneTierLegendary} {
+		p := loadoutPurchase(tier, LoadoutHeavy)
+		std, dlx := supplyPackCaps(tier)
+		if p.StandardPacks != std || p.DeluxePacks != dlx {
+			t.Errorf("T%d heavy %+v, want std=%d dlx=%d", tier, p, std, dlx)
+		}
+		if err := p.Validate(tier); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("T%d heavy fails own validation: %v", tier, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestExpeditionCmd_StartNoArgsPromptsLoadout(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+	uid := id.UserID("@exp-cmd-prompt:example")
+	expeditionCmdTestCharacter(t, uid, 1)
+	defer cleanupExpeditions(uid)
+
+	euro := &EuroPlugin{}
+	euro.ensureBalance(uid)
+	euro.Credit(uid, 500, "test")
+	p := &AdventurePlugin{euro: euro}
+
+	// Empty pack args: should prompt, NOT start.
+	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start goblin_warrens"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if exp, _ := getActiveExpedition(uid); exp != nil {
+		t.Error("expedition started on empty-arg prompt; should have waited for preset choice")
+	}
+	if bal := euro.GetBalance(uid); bal != 500 {
+		t.Errorf("coins moved on prompt: %v", bal)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestThreatThresholdLabel_Bands(t *testing.T) {
 	cases := []struct {
 		level int
@@ -119,8 +189,8 @@ func TestExpeditionCmd_StartAbandonRoundtrip(t *testing.T) {
 	euro.Credit(uid, 200, "test setup")
 	p := &AdventurePlugin{euro: euro}
 
-	// Default 1 standard pack = 50 coins. Should land an active expedition.
-	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start goblin_warrens"); err != nil {
+	// Lean preset = 1 standard pack at T1 = 50 coins. Should land an active expedition.
+	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start goblin_warrens lean"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	exp, err := getActiveExpedition(uid)
@@ -219,7 +289,7 @@ func TestExpeditionCmd_RunWalksRooms(t *testing.T) {
 	euro.Credit(uid, 200, "test setup")
 	p := &AdventurePlugin{euro: euro}
 
-	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start goblin_warrens"); err != nil {
+	if err := p.handleDnDExpeditionCmd(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, "start goblin_warrens lean"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	exp, _ := getActiveExpedition(uid)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_extract.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_extract.go
index cbcf3d1..6296bee 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_extract.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_extract.go
@@ -308,11 +308,15 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleResumeCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) error
 			"That extraction is past its 7-day resume window — the dungeon has reshaped without you. Start a new expedition.")
 	}
 
-	purchase, err := parseSupplyArgs(strings.TrimSpace(args))
+	resumeZone, _ := getZone(exp.ZoneID)
+	// D5-b: prompt for a preset loadout on empty args.
+	if strings.TrimSpace(args) == "" {
+		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, renderLoadoutPrompt(resumeZone, "resume"))
+	}
+	purchase, err := resolveLoadoutOrParse(strings.TrimSpace(args), resumeZone.Tier)
 	if err != nil {
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't parse supply packs: "+err.Error())
 	}
-	resumeZone, _ := getZone(exp.ZoneID)
 	if err := purchase.Validate(resumeZone.Tier); err != nil {
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Invalid pack selection: "+err.Error())
 	}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_supplies.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_supplies.go
index 6ef28b7..ee23b77 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_supplies.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_expedition_supplies.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package plugin
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 )
 
 // Phase 12 E1b — Supply procurement, daily burn, and depletion effects.
@@ -39,6 +40,68 @@ func supplyPackCaps(tier ZoneTier) (standard, deluxe int) {
 	return 3, 1
 }
 
+// SupplyLoadout names a tier-scaled preset purchase. D5-b: empty-arg
+// `!expedition start <zone>` now prompts the player to pick one of these
+// rather than silently defaulting to 1 standard pack. Raw `Ns Md` syntax
+// remains the advanced override.
+type SupplyLoadout int
+
+const (
+	LoadoutLean SupplyLoadout = iota
+	LoadoutBalanced
+	LoadoutHeavy
+)
+
+// loadoutPurchase returns the SupplyPurchase for a preset at a tier.
+// Lean: covers intended days at raw daily burn (cheap, no harsh buffer).
+// Balanced: ~harsh-ready for an intended-length run (recommended).
+// Heavy: equals supplyPackCaps — the harsh×3 ceiling D5-a sized for.
+func loadoutPurchase(tier ZoneTier, l SupplyLoadout) SupplyPurchase {
+	switch l {
+	case LoadoutHeavy:
+		std, dlx := supplyPackCaps(tier)
+		return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: std, DeluxePacks: dlx}
+	case LoadoutBalanced:
+		switch tier {
+		case ZoneTierBeginner, ZoneTierApprentice:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 2}
+		case ZoneTierJourneyman:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 3}
+		case ZoneTierVeteran:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 5}
+		case ZoneTierLegendary:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 5, DeluxePacks: 1}
+		}
+		return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 2}
+	default: // LoadoutLean
+		switch tier {
+		case ZoneTierBeginner, ZoneTierApprentice:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 1}
+		case ZoneTierJourneyman:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 2}
+		case ZoneTierVeteran:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 3}
+		case ZoneTierLegendary:
+			return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 5}
+		}
+		return SupplyPurchase{StandardPacks: 1}
+	}
+}
+
+// parseLoadoutToken returns the preset selected by tok, if any. Accepts
+// short forms (l/b/h) and a couple of synonyms. Empty/unknown → false.
+func parseLoadoutToken(tok string) (SupplyLoadout, bool) {
+	switch strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(tok)) {
+	case "lean", "l", "light":
+		return LoadoutLean, true
+	case "balanced", "b", "bal", "standard":
+		return LoadoutBalanced, true
+	case "heavy", "h", "max", "full":
+		return LoadoutHeavy, true
+	}
+	return 0, false
+}
+
 // supplyDailyBurn returns the base SU/day for a zone tier (§4.1).
 // Tier 1: 1, Tier 2: 1.5, Tier 3: 2, Tier 4: 3, Tier 5: 4.
 func supplyDailyBurn(tier ZoneTier) float32 {