Important Notes - Escape from Tarkov

Important Notes Guide for Escape from Tarkov

Warnings and Pitfalls

1. Permanent Gear Loss on Death

In Tarkov, if you die in a raid, you lose everything you brought in (unless it’s in your secure container). This includes weapons, armor, backpack, and quest items. Never bring gear you cannot afford to lose. As a new player, expect to lose many kits. Use cheap loadouts (e.g., SKS with PS ammo, PACA armor) until you learn maps and combat.

2. The Scav Cooldown and Karma System

Playing as a Scav (player-controlled AI) is a great way to earn free gear. However, if you kill other player Scavs (friendly fire), you lose Scav karma. At low karma, you will face longer cooldowns (up to 25 minutes) and hostile AI Scavs. Always check if a Scav is a player before shooting. Wiggle or voice line to confirm.

3. No Save Slots – Everything Is Live

Your progress is tied to your account on Battlestate Games servers. There are no manual saves or backups. If you lose a quest item due to a bug or disconnect, it’s gone. Secure your valuable quest items in your gamma/secure container before extracting.

4. Cheaters and Anti-Cheat

Tarkov uses BattlEye anti-cheat. Report suspicious players via the death screen (right-click their name) or through the launcher. Cheaters can steal items from your stash via some hacks; if you suspect foul play, contact support. Avoid trading with unknown players who offer too-good-to-be-true deals.

5. Teamkilling and Friendly Fire

In group play, friendly fire is enabled. Accidental teamkills are common. Use distinctive cosmetics (armbands, helmets) and communicate clearly. Killing a teammate intentionally is considered toxicity and can lead to bans if reported.

Irreversible Choices

1. Fence Reputation

Your standing with Fence affects Scav cooldown and AI behavior. Killing player Scavs as a Scav lowers rep permanently (though you can slowly regain it by using car extracts and killing hostile PMCs). Once you fall below ~2.0 rep, your Scav cooldown becomes very long. Avoid killing other Scavs unless they shoot first.

2. Quest Reward Choices

Several quests ask you to choose between rewards (e.g., giving an item to Mechanic vs. Skier). These choices affect trader loyalty and unlock future quests. For example, in the quest "The Cult Part 1" you must give a flash drive to either Skier or Therapist. Check the Tarkov wiki before choosing, as some choices lock you out of other quests or hideout upgrades.

Irreversible: Once you select a reward, you cannot undo it. Plan ahead for which trader levels you need.

3. Hideout Upgrades

Upgrading the hideout costs rare items and resources. Some upgrades (like Bitcoin Farm level 3) are massive investments. You cannot downgrade or refund materials. Only upgrade what you will actively use. For example, the Workbench is essential for crafting, but the Vents can be prioritized later.

4. Faction Choice (USEC vs. BEAR)

At account creation, you choose USEC or BEAR. This affects starting gear, some voice lines, and which Scavs are hostile? (BEAR is considered “Russian” and may be more often shot by players of the opposite faction). This choice is permanent and cannot be changed later. USEC is generally recommended for Western players due to better communication compatibility.

Missable Content

1. Seasonal Events and Limited-Time Tasks

Tarkov occasionally runs events (e.g., Christmas, Halloween) with exclusive items, quests, or bosses. These are time-limited and may never return. Participate during the event window.

2. Weapon Presets and Insurance

If you die and your gear is lost (not insured), it’s gone forever. Insurance returns gear that was not looted by other players. But if someone picks up your weapon, it’s gone. You can’t recover it later. Always insure your important loot if you can, but understand that popular maps like Factory and Customs have high loot theft rates.

3. Dynamic Loot and Boss Spawns

High-tier loot spawns (e.g., LEDX, military tech) are not guaranteed. Bosses like Killa (Interchange) and Reshala (Customs) have a spawn chance. If you don’t see a boss, you missed that raid’s chance. There’s no way to force them.

4. Quests That Lock Other Quests

Some quests are prerequisites for entire quest lines. For example, "Debut" (Prapor) must be completed before receiving many other Prapor tasks. If you fail a quest or sell a quest item, you may delay progress. Check the Tarkov quest tree to avoid missing a critical step.

Difficulty Spikes

1. Factory Rush

Factory is a small, close-quarters map with high PvP density. New players often get spawn-killed or cornered. Avoid Factory as a first map. Start with Customs or Woods for learning.

2. Labs

Labs requires a keycard (70k+ rubles) and is infested with heavily geared players and raiders (high-tier AI). It’s a death trap for beginners. Only go when you have good gear and map knowledge.

3. Shoreline Resort

The Resort area of Shoreline contains high-value loot but is a PvP hotspot. Expect teams of three or more. Solo players face a steep challenge.

4. Bosses and Cultists

Bosses like Killa (Interchange), Tagilla (Factory), and the Goons (Knight, Big Pipe, Birdeye) are extremely dangerous. They can one-tap you from across the map. The Cultists on Night variant are silent and lethal. Don’t engage unless you have a plan and good ammo.

Grinding Traps

1. Chasing All Tasks Early

Many new players try to complete every task immediately, leading to frustration and lost gear. Focus on a few critical quests first (e.g., Debut, Gunsmith parts) to unlock trader levels. Skip tedious tasks like “Shooter Born in Heaven” until you are confident at long range.

2. Over-investing in Hideout Too Early

Upgrading hideout to level 3 costs millions of rubles. The Bitcoin farm is not profitable for most players until you have a steady income. Build your Workbench and Medstation first for crafting, but avoid sinking all your money into vents and solar power until you have strong gear.

3. Selling Quest Items Too Soon

Many barter items (e.g., flash drives, gas analyzers, fuel conditioners) are needed for quests or hideout. Early on, you might sell them for quick cash. Later, you’ll struggle to find them again. Keep at least one of every rare item until you check the quest requirements.

4. Buying Expensive Gear You Can’t Replace

Don’t spend your life savings on a meta M4 or thermal scope if you lack the skill to survive. Stick to budget loadouts (e.g., VPO-136 with PS ammo, 6B47 helmet) until you can consistently extract.

Online Etiquette and Anti-Cheat

1. Communication and Teamwork

In team raids, use in-game VoIP or Discord, but be aware that voice carries in-game and enemies can hear you. Call out positions clearly. Don’t loot dead teammates without permission – it’s considered theft.

2. Scav-on-Scav Violence

As a Scav, you are expected by the community to act cooperatively. Killing other player Scavs (unless they shoot first) is seen as toxic and will tank your Fence rep. Use the wiggle emote or voice line to signal peace.

3. Reporting Cheaters

If you die suspiciously (impossible shots, flying, instant head-eyes through walls), report the player. After death, right-click their name and select “Report”. Don’t abuse the report system – false reports are ignored.

4. No Manspreading – Keep Your Loot Storage Organized

Your stash has limited space. Organize items, merge stacks, use backpacks inside backpacks (nested). Selling junk early frees room but be sure it’s not needed for quests.

Save Management

1. No Local Saves

All progress is server-side. If you uninstall the game, your account remains. There is no save file to back up. Your only backup option is to screenshot your trader reputation and stash value for reference, but it won’t restore data. Never delete your account unless you are sure.

2. Server Wipes

Tarkov experiences periodic wipes (usually every 6-9 months) that reset all progress except your account level and skills. Hideout, quests, and stash are wiped. Plan accordingly: don’t hoard items you won’t use before a wipe announcement. Wipes are usually announced on the official website and Discord.

3. Avoid Scam External Tools

Do not use third-party software that claims to “back up” your account or offer cheats. Such tools can steal your credentials or trigger a ban. Tarkov’s anti-cheat detects most external overlays.

Things Players Commonly Regret Not Knowing Earlier

1. Secure Container Is Your Lifeline

Your secure container (gamma/kappa) retains items even on death. Always fill it with valuable loot (keys, meds, quest items). Never put loose ammo or cheap meds in it – use that slot for high-value items like LEDX, flash drives, or expensive keys.

2. Map Knowledge > Gear

New players die because they don’t know extraction points, chokepoints, or spawns. Spend your first 10-20 raids in offline mode on each map, learning the layout. Use interactive maps on a second monitor or phone.

3. Ammo Matters More Than Gun

A cheap gun with armor-piercing ammo (e.g., PS ammo for 7.62x39) is far better than an expensive gun with bad ammo. Check the ballistics chart on the wiki. Penetration values are critical against armored players.

4. Insure Everything – Except Your Most Expensive Stuff

Insure your gear, but know that very expensive items (e.g., thermal scopes, high-tier armor) are often looted and never returned. Insure mid-range kits; the cost is minimal.

5. Sound Is Everything

Sound is crucial for survival. Wear headsets (headphones) in-game – they amplify footsteps. Avoid running on metal or wood. Use slow, quiet movement when near enemies.

6. You Can Use the Flea Market Later – Don’t Rush

The flea market unlocks at level 15. Until then, you must rely on traders and found loot. Buy the cheapest meds and ammo from traders. Don’t spend your rubles on player-marked items; they are often overpriced.

7. Scav Raids Are Free Money

Play your Scav every time it’s off cooldown. You get free gear, and any loot you survive with transfers to your PMC stash. Use Scav raids to learn maps stress-free.

8. Don’t Hoard Useless Junk

Early on, you’ll collect barter items like bolts, nuts, and wires. Check which ones are needed for hideout upgrades vs. just vendor trash. Sell duplicates to traders or the flea market once you can. Too much junk clogs your stash.

9. The Wiki and Community Are Your Best Friends

Use the official Tarkov wiki for quest guides, maps, and ammo charts. Join the official Discord or subreddit for live advice. Other players have already solved every puzzle.

10. Patience, Patience, Patience

Tarkov is brutal. You will die to things you cannot control: desync, cheaters, bad spawns, or a lucky grenade. The key is to learn from each death and improve. Never get emotionally attached to gear. It’s all temporary until the next wipe.