# Escape from Tarkov Alternatives in 2023 - What Else Scratches the Same Itch?

Escape from Tarkov has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the top hardcore looter shooter experiences out there. However, with recent controversies surrounding the state of the game and community management, many faithful Tarkov players find themselves looking for viable alternatives that can scratch a similar itch. 

Occasionally, I find myself feeling exhausted from playing Tarkov. To switch things up, I've [explored some alternative games 🔗](https://gameslikefinder.com/games-like-escape-from-tarkov/) and have tried some other options.

In this post, I explore some of the top options currently on the market for Tarkov alternatives, as well as a few upcoming games that aim to compete directly with Escape from Tarkov’s unique raid gameplay. To qualify as a true alternative, the core gameplay needs to focus on high risk versus high reward, where you risk equipment and loot during intense raids in order to extract with better gear to progress your character. It’s a brutal cycle, but one that Tarkov executes expertly.

## The Top Contenders Taking A Shot at Tarkov’s Crown

### Hunt: Showdown (my fav)

When it comes to current games that can legitimately serve as an alternative to Tarkov’s tactical raids, Hunt: Showdown leads the pack. The 19th century setting provides black powder rifles and crossbows instead of modern assault weapons, while still capturing tense PvPvE showdowns in the bayou.  

![hunt-showdown](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/7At5c22vzsEOGTfccQgK5k/cd997f66f66e11b567fd5ab8cdcd0b95/image-asset.jpeg)

Melee combat is more prevalent in Hunt compared to Tarkov thanks to weapons like swords and axes. And while I’m not a huge fan of Hunt’s dark sight tracking system revealing player locations at the end of a match, it undoubtedly provides interesting risk calculation as you try to escape. Overall, Hunt: Showdown is likely the closest thing currently available to Escape from Tarkov in terms of the core extract-based raid experience...it just happens to take place 120 years in the past!

### Marauders

Similarly, the newly launched Marauders has potential with its looter shooter layout focused on navigating ships and completing objectives. But again, the subtle enjoyment and fun factor faded quickly for me. The gunplay, which should seem crisp given the developers’ experience on Hell Let Loose, feels oddly flat. 

![marauders](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/BXZVnQ941VWdjvEaJUcxG/912740f1fbcf7eead8feb8b47fbf8bfa/maxresdefault.jpg)

As it stands today, Marauders doesn’t offer enough differentiation from titles like The Cycle to warrant playing both. The raid structure needs more time in the oven.  

## What’s Looming on the Horizon

### Gray Zone Warfare

One more up-and-comer to have on your radar is Gray Zone Warfare, expected to launch at some point in 2024. It sounds like it aims to capture the hardcore tactical FPS experience that Tarkov nails so well.

![gray-zone-warfare](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/oqppkWuK8mMPbeGtOEZhx/4955824fdd2676b615a6e870420ad0ff/ss_5c8b3c0a2ad1e135c283c0c1ab788846b5d2b1c0.1920x1080.jpg)

Here's an excerpt from the development team:

> Following a mysterious event that took place on an island in Southeast Asia, the entire area has been put under international quarantine. With almost all the civilian population evacuated by the United Nations, three PMCs are tasked by their enigmatic clients to explore the region, uncover its secrets, and bring back anything of value.

It focuses heavily on realistic weapon behavior and customization, along with ballistic modeling for intense firefights where every shot counts. Much like Escape from Tarkov, the stakes will be high as you risk equipment and progress with each raid into the mysterious island location.  

While details are still sparse, the promise of "embracing the challenges of a true tactical FPS" suggests Gray Zone Warfare could provide stiff competition to Tarkov when it emerges from the development fog in 2024.

### DeadDrop  

Shifting gears to upcoming Tarkov alternatives in development, Dead Drop is one I currently have my eye on. It remains in early access, but backers can play now and progress will carry over at launch. So far, the emphasis seems to be moreso on quick PvP rather than complex survival systems. An Arena mode is also planned, which could compete directly with Tarkov when it emerges from testing. However, no release date is set.

![deaddrop](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/ZACHRbrXh1cMUrOJjbRFc/92252bd010e299122b1c57012e1580fb/Midnight-Society-Deadrop.jpg)

### Ghosts of Tabor  

For VR enthusiasts, Ghosts of Tabor brings much of Tarkov’s DNA into the virtual world. Still in early development and likely at least a year from release, it shows promise as a VR-native take on hardcore extraction shooter raids. My one concern is that catering solely to the VR crowd may hamper widespread adoption. But for those already enjoying their Oculus or Vive, Tabor could become a new favorite.

![ghosts-of-tabor](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5GMMkwGrAwkWBazi1RhCYf/8af7399a6ecfc2349196d3e8a93884b3/ss_6bae2520a1f7bebf3efd3ba3b9de072739603132.1920x1080.jpg)

## Single Player Alternatives  

An alternative option for players burned out on Tarkov is to look back at the single player franchise that originally inspired it: [S.T.A.L.K.E.R.](https://www.stalker-game.com) With its realistic FPS survival roots combined with supernatural occurrences, the series provided a blueprint for Battlestate Games to iterate upon with Escape from Tarkov.

Additionally, Road to Vostok is an upcoming story-focused title that similarly seeks to capture the tense FPS survival and progression elements that make Tarkov so engrossing, just for lone players instead of squads. It offers another single player outlet to hold you over until you’re ready for more hardcore multiplayer action.  

## The Verdict? Patience Is Needed  

As it stands today, no game has managed to completely dethrone Escape from Tarkov as the pinnacle of high stakes raid shooters. Hunt: Showdown likely gets closest given its current state. However, forthcoming titles like Gray Zone Warfare show promise once they get further along development and introduce more features.

__For now, the best bet is likely trying Hunt for that risky PvPvE fix, while keeping tabs on future Arena mode__. And if you need a solo escape from the punch-to-the-gut misery Tarkov can sometimes induce, retreat to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. realm.  

But despite controversy and frustration with Escape from Tarkov in recent times, most players will likely come crawling back for their punishment sooner or later, myself included. Its ruthless brand of tactical looting dissolution simply hasn’t been replicated completely thus far. The search continues...Will you be the one to finally escape Tarkov for good?  

Escape from Tarkov Alternatives in 2023 - What Else Scratches the Same Itch?

# EFT: Arena - Battlestate Games' Ploy to Attract New Players to Escape from Tarkov

**Escape from Tarkov: Arena** (EFT: Arena) is an upcoming standalone game from Battlestate Games, the creators of the hardcore tactical shooter Escape from Tarkov. EFT: Arena aims to combine the complex mechanics of Tarkov with fast-paced PvPvE gameplay.

![eft-arena-logo](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/59tJHrp3XMHP8HS5BKlUkG/a5e1c01ed369ea0d32999068be295772/Escape-From-Tarkov-Arena.JPG)

## Game Modes

EFT: Arena will feature several team-based competitive modes:

- **Shootout**: Round robin tournament format where teams face off to earn points. The top two teams meet in the finals.
- **Teamfight**: 5v5 matches across 7 rounds. Capturing objectives can lead to round victories. 
- **Overrun**: 5 player co-op PvE missions to clear areas and complete goals.
- **Last Hero**: Free-for-all deathmatch to tally the most kills.
- **Duel**

## Progression Shared with Escape from Tarkov

A key aspect of EFT: Arena is progression sharing with Escape from Tarkov. As players level up and improve skills in Arena matches, those advancement will carry over to their Tarkov characters. Weapons and other gear can also be used in both titles.

## Maps

EFT: Arena maps include:

- **Sawmill**: Rumored ex-TerraGroup Labs location
- **Bay5**: Iconic port warehouse reimagined for Arena 
- **Air Pit**: Airport terminal turned deathmatch battleground
- **Equator**: Shopping mall adapted into a gladiator arena 
- **The Bowl**, **The Box** **Resort**: Unrevealed maps

![eft-arena](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/2DhSV7KXljKIPvUYGiBo9u/e0ae3ed367be1d96de9a905e9c49af95/escape-from-tarkov-arena.jpg)

## Economy and Wipes

Like Tarkov, Arena will feature wipes to reset player data. Careful resource and money management will be an important element.

EFT: Arena is currently available for pre-order, with plans for a closed beta. The full launch date is still unannounced.

Here is a version with Markdown formatting and titles:

## Appealing to a Wider Audience

**Escape from Tarkov** has garnered significant interest and popularity, but its complexity can be intimidating for new players. As Battlestate Games CEO Nikita Buyanov explained, "We wanted to create something more accessible that retains Tarkov's signature complexity while familiarizing more players with its mechanics."

![eft-arena-2](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5dEk7FmKDYEBmu4agmcyMR/dd21552cf726dae255bdbb530ea55d8d/Escape-From-Tarkov-Arena.jpg)

### Striking a Balance

Rather than a direct spin-off, **EFT: Arena** aims to strike a balance as a "mid-core game" that smooths out Tarkov's intricate details into match-based PvPvE gameplay. The vision is to develop a title playable by the team themselves first, with the core complexity they enjoy but streamlined for broader appeal.  

### Diverging Paths 

Tarkov undeniably sparked the extraction shooter trend, while Arena diverges into competitive formats featuring Tarkov's weaponry and systems. Its success will depend on reception from the hardcore Tarkov community versus drawing in those scared away by outright complexity.

### Broadening the Appeal

Regardless, by retaining developmental authenticity while reaching for more casual appeal, Arena strives to open Tarkov’s infamously impenetrable experience to new players when it launches in 2024.

EFT: Arena is a competitive PvPvE shooter from the creators of Escape from Tarkov. By streamlining intricate mechanics into match-based modes, Arena attempts to draw new players into Tarkov's notoriously impenetrable experience.

EFT: Arena - Battlestate Games' Ploy to Attract New Players to Escape from Tarkov

## Completing Gunsmith Part 1 Quest Overview

![eft-gunsmith-part-1-head](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5r6ZuencTedSJcYJlR4bsd/050c35c3933aae7bacd32a0b3363a875/Screenshot_2023-11-27_at_09.51.59.png)

This guide covers the Gunsmith Part 1 quest available after meeting the following prerequisites:  

**Requirements:**
- Minimum player level is 2

**Objectives:**
- Modify a MP-133 shotgun to match the required specifications listed below

**Rewards for Completing:**

- +800 EXP 
- +0.01 Mechanic loyalty level
- 10,000 Roubles (10,500 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1/11,500 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2) 
- 1× Screw nuts
- 1× Bolts
- 20 x 12/70 .50 BMG slug shotgun shells  
- Unlocks purchase of the Windham Weaponry Rail Gas Block for AR-15 weapons at Mechanic LL1 (helpful for removing front sight posts on M4s)

**MP-133 Specifications Needed:**

- 60 or higher durability  
- 47 or greater ergonomics
- 850 or less recoil
- 4 or fewer slot spaces used 
- Extended 5+ round capacity magazine  
- Tactical device like a laser or flashlight

## Sample Compliant MP-133 Build

Below shows one example configuration meeting the quota to turn in for rewards:

![eft-gunsmith-part-1](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/6aj2G1nan4DSfvIGoHaQbQ/deb022f51523cf423cf40b8607e69f71/Screenshot_2023-11-27_at_09.30.55.png)

This uses:

- MP133 Four Stock 
- RK-6 Foregrip
- Blue Laser 
- GK02 Muzzle Brake
- MP133 Cylinder Adapter
- MP133 Plastic Pistol Grip

You may substitute certain parts, like using a XC1 Flashlight instead of the laser. Custom presets can speed up assembly of the full compliant shotgun.

## Acquiring Needed Parts

Details on sourcing some of the key components required:

**MP133 Plastic Stock:** Obtained via barter of circuit boards with Mechanic. Can harvest boards from loose tech loot spawns or breaking down computers and electronics.  

**Laser & Foregrip:** Available LL1 from Skier traders.

**Muzzle, Adapter & Grip:** Sold by Jaeger but the GK02 muzzle is rare before loyalty level 15. Will list muzzles for sale on Fence when possible to assist with quest.


Completing the Gunsmith Part 1 Quest in Escape From Tarkov

# Exploring Escape from Tarkov's Tricky Customs Map

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

The Customs map in Escape from Tarkov offers some of the most intense PVP and loot opportunities in the entire game. However, successfully extracting can be quite difficult for new players. In this blog post, I'll provide an in-depth guide covering everything you need to know about the updated Customs layout, top loot spots, extractions, and more.

## Introduction
Escape from Tarkov’s Customs is located in an industrial zone near the city of Tarkov. It features landmarks like the factory areas, construction zone, bus station, gas station, dormitory area, and warehouses. With the latest expansion, there are now more obstacles, hideouts, and lootable areas than ever before.  

The map can support up to 13 PMC players per raid, making firefights very common. While geared players compete for top-tier loot spawns, the notorious scav boss Reshala and guards also pose a formidable threat. In this guide to Customs, you’ll learn insider tips to help improve your survival rate dramatically.

## Map Layout  
The overall shape of Customs resembles a “U” wrapped around a central river. Major landmarks include the Customs Office, Big Red Warehouse, New Gas Station, 3 story and 2 story dorm buildings, and the skeletal construction area. Expect heavy traffic in the Crack House, Power Station, Bus Depot and especially the Dorms.

![eft-customs](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/6sD7cBHFcFQnBTAnSMnWqO/59b62f3ffa6cda1355369c98ab9d7cc3/customs-2d.jpg)

The expanded areas offer additional cover and sneaky path options. Be aware, there are often snipers watching! Make sure to check jackets, safes, rare loot spawns and new crates full of valuables. Learning where to locate keys can unlock shortcuts and epic gear.  

## Top Loot Locations  
Keys to getting rich fast on Customs:

- Marked Room Key (3 story dorm)
- Factory Exit Key    
- Gas Station Storage Room Key
- Customs Office Key (inside file cabinet)  

Rare loot can spawn on the tables near the Old Gas Station. This area is known as “The Giving Tree” by the community due to its insane spawns. Other rooms you need keys for:  

- 2 story dorm rooms 105, 110 and 114 for Safes  
- 3 story dorm 204, 214 for safes  
- Room 220 for quest item  

Look behind 2 story dorms near the blue fence for 2 potential Flash drive spawns. Consider keeping some of these keys in your Secure Container just in case.  

## Dealing with Reshala  
The scav boss Reshala can spawn in the main Gas Station, New Gas Station or the Skeleton Construction area. He arrives with 4 guards wearing heavy armor. While Reshala only carries a pistol or shotgun initially, he can quickly grab new weapons off fallen enemies. Don’t let your guard down!  

Reshala’s guards throw grenades frequently, so don’t stay in groups. Reshala’s aggressive AI means he will often push your position. Consider fighting them from longer ranges since closing the gap is extremely risky. Or avoid him entirely to scoop up loot elsewhere.  

## Extraction Overview
Getting out safely is crucial to preserving your precious haul. The Customs map has a number of extraction points, but some come with special requirements or restrictions. For example:   

- Smuggler’s Boat requires the campfire to be lit  
- Trailer Park exit by red  fence is open for PMCs  
- Crossroads exit only extracts Scav characters  
- PMC-only extracts: RUAF Road, Old Gas Station   

So pay close attention for those differences when formulating your exit strategy.  

## Veteran Tips and Tactics  
Finally, follow these pro strategies to gain a fighting advantage:  

- Loot jackets/coat racks for quest keys & money  
- Jump on objects for access to cheeky sight lines  
- Crouch walk below the Blue fence railing to sneak  
- Hide in bushes to ambush players & Scavs  
- Utilize CQB weapons for dorm fights  

## Conclusion
With this detailed guide on the Customs map, you now have the fundamentally game knowledge needed to start stacking survival rate and fat paydays. Just remember the critical extraction details, weapon suggestions, and top-tier loot rooms shared here.   

The rest comes down to tactical positioning, gunskill, and a little luck with loot spawns. Once you get more confident roaming solo in Customs, try coordinating attacks with a squad on Reshala for his lucrative Golden TT Pistol and other prizes. Alright, it’s raid time! Good luck out there! 

Exploring Escape from Tarkov's Tricky Customs Map

# Surviving the Chaos of Tarkov's Notorious Factory Map

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

Escape from Tarkov throws players into brutally hardcore firefights across complex battlegrounds. Of its available maps, one stands out as the most popular gladiatorial arena for PvP combat: Factory. This compact CQB map fosters frequent, frenzied skirmishes between daredevil players looking to test their aim and reflexes against lethal human adversaries. 

In this extensive guide to the Factory map, I'll cover everything a new Tarkov player needs to know to get in, loot up, and extract out alive from this chaotic hot zone. Follow along in offline mode to learn map secrets that could mean the difference between your survival or an unceremonious death by head-eyes.

## Overview of Vital Factory Map Details 

The Factory currently caps matches to 5 PMCs per raid in order to concentrate the carnage. There is a day and night variant of the map, but the core layout remains unchanged. Despite its modest size, there are still key items that offer a lifeline when things go loud.

![factory](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/6cZVL0MuI1S5SoLDEnv3HS/ae24da9ee76dfc8808b8a67ee04a311d/factory.jpg)

### Critical Keys

Only 3 keys truly matter on Factory:

* **Factory Exit Key:** This most valuable key gives open-ended access to the two extracts that require it, enabling safer exfiltration from multiple points.
* **Pumping Station Key x2:** These two keys grant access to additional rooms but generally serve minor utility otherwise.

### Purpose 

The main incentives for entering the Factory meat grinder include:

* **PvP Combat:** Factory's tight spaces funnel combat with little room to avoid detection, making it a prime spot to engage in heated gunfights.
* **Completing Tasks:** Certain early game quests will require completing objectives or eliminating specific NPCs within the Factory location.
* **Farming Scavs:** Once player threats have been cleared, Factory offers reliable waves of AI Scavs to farm for loot and cash.

## Spawn Locations & Early Game Survival

Learning the Factory's spawn locations is key to surviving the opening salvos. When entering a Factory raid, you will spawn in one of several set locations, so knowing the vulnerabilities of each one means getting the drop on enemies...or avoiding becoming an easy target yourself.

* **Forklift Spawn:** Easily the most notoriously dangerous spawn location due to extremely limited cover. Expect close-quarters contact immediately and reposition aggressively or get caught out in the open.
* **Tunnel Spawns:** The Tunnel Section offers central spawns that lend themselves to repositioning towards the Office section or possibly catching enemies by surprise from behind.
* **Office Spawns:** Spawns clustered around the Office location promote either bunkering down on the nearby staircases or immediately breaching the main Office itself to take control of the central high ground.

No matter where players spawn in, the Factory's confined quarters funnel combat towards the center. Expect action quickly and position accordingly to either take advantage of chaotic skirmishes or avoid getting eliminated early on.

## Extracts and Gear Priorities

Extracting safely is the name of the game, and Factory offers assorted methods for exfiltrating once the violence has simmered down. The locations vary between set Scav extracts that flip each raid to ones requiring keys. And no key is more valuable than the almighty Factory Exit Key.

### Factory Exit Key

This rare loot key provides salvation by enabling two additional extracts separate from the randomized Scav extraction points. Having this key provides critical flexibility in choosing an evacuation point less likely to be camped by exfil campers with an ambush planned.

Keys should be prioritized in the following order:

1. **Factory Exit Key** - Vital for flexible exfiltration from two locations
2. **Pumping Station Key(s)** - Unlocks additional rooms but nominal extractions

### Scav Extracts 

As a PMC, you will spawn in with one of two default Scav extracts available in any given Factory raid. However, since these are common knowledge, they often have players posted up ready to pick off anyone trying to evacuate from them.

The Factory Exit Key once again provides options to divert to alternates and reduce the likelihood of extract ploys. Without it, exfiltrating successfully becomes an even more daunting proposition.

## Loot and Locales Worth Scouting

While PvP and questing take priority over looting on Factory, some choice items make braving high-traffic areas worth the risk. Focus on buildings that deliver an added edge to winning firefights first before considering hitting stashes and rare loot spawns.

### Armor Spawns

There are 3 coveted 3M body armor spawns scattered around the Factory that offer heavier protection for players with low trader levels or economic loadouts:

* Forklift: Check the upper green cargo box
* Lockers: Check the middle blue locker block 
* Office: Check atop the white file cabinets

Claiming one of these armors early on provides an extra advantage for pivotal firefights ahead.

### The Risky Office 

This 2-story Office building contains the central staircases and overlooks much of the Factory floor. It also harbors rare loot spawns like Bitcoin, SVDS sniper rifles, and other premium equipment not found elsewhere. But with reward comes great risk...

Breaching the Office entry doors signals interest which often draws opponents eager to contest such a vital position. Expect resistance when entering and clearing the Office area. Listen for additional breaching noises signalling third party threats encroaching from unfamiliar angles.

Those inside the Office can also take advantage of its balcony vantage point for mounting scoped rifles or lobbing grenades onto advancing targets trying to storm up the staircases.

### Quest Items

A particular early therapist quest requires collecting a quest item from a jacket inside the locked breachable room opposite the main Forklift spawn. Listen for this telltale breach explosion, then expect resistance when attempting to accomplish the same.

## Survival Strategy and Final Tips

While Factory fuels its notoriety on frenzied PvP showdowns, even the most bloodthirsty operators need an exfil strategy. Ensure your tactics balance aggression with a planned path to extraction once you've had your fill or completed your objectives.

* Spawn Routes - Customize initial angles based on spawn for flanking, hiding, or quick office control
* Smart Rotation - Shift across distinct sections like Lockers, Tunnels rather than lingering static
* Exfil Adaptability - Factory Exit Key enables contingency extraction plans 
* Assume Hostility - Expect resistance at extracts or high-value areas like Office
* Offline Rehearsal - Learn at low stakes before braving live PMC combat

The Factory trial tests composure and skill at CQB under pressure. Master positioning, map awareness, and target isolation to gain the upper hand. Once you get proficient getting in and out on this map, you will find confidence to win even Tarkov's most unforgiving firefights.

Surviving the Chaos of Tarkov's Notorious Factory Map

# Mastering Escape from Tarkov's Interchange Map: The Ultimate Loot and Navigation Guide

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

## Introduction
The Interchange map on Escape from Tarkov offers the most lucrative loot in the game, with the widest variety of tech stores, pharmacies, weapon shops, and hidden caches. With multi-level shopping complexes and adjacent outdoor areas housing valuable supplies, Interchange offers incredible profit potential for daring PMCs.

However, successfully extracting with stuffed backpacks requires mastering complex navigation across interchange's labyrinthine floors and avoiding other players and AI scavs aiming to steal your loot. This extensive guide provides blueprints to mapping interchange’s layout, locating essential keys, understanding AI patterns, and most importantly, extracting with your hard-earned prize.  

## Overview of the Intricate Interchange Layout
Shaped akin to a misshapen rectangle, Interchange mixes indoor shopping complexes with outdoor loading bays and derelict construction zones. Upon first glance, the jumbled floors may seem confusing, but several distinguishing landmarks serve as beacons when learning the terrain.

![eft-interchange](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5SVyimRhhLlIDqrKNkY2hp/8edf93b87bcca6ddfe2017fcfb78e7fe/interchange.jpg)

The main indoor complex features three anchor department stores, Idea, Goshen, and Oli, which stock common barter items and food. The central common area links these stores via a main hallway and four wings filled with equipment shops, tech stores, and additional outlet stores. Clothing shops dominate the second level.

When venturing outdoors, you may emerge into trash-filled loading bays behind the main stores or into construction areas. Wrapping around the exterior lies a network of railroad tracks, derailed train cars, collapsed scaffolding, and debris-laden highways. At the backside you'll also find the integral power station that controls lighting and other key functions inside Interchange.  

With dozens of stores and over 100 rental spaces inside the main shopping complexes alone, Interchange offers seemingly endless looting opportunities. Focus first on mapping the central landmarked areas mentioned earlier rather than memorizing each individual shop.  

**Landmarks to Commit to Memory:**

- Idea (north supermarket)
- Goshen (east market shops) 
- Oli (basic home goods)
- Common area (central 4 wings)
- Power station (exterior northeast)

## Must-Have Keys for Looting Interchange's Riches 
While you can stumble upon generic loot anywhere inside Interchange, the most valuable supplies lie behind locked doors. Certain keys grant access to specialized medical, tech, and armament stores far outpacing any wayward cash or items found out in the open.

Prioritize securing keys like KIBA store, Ultra Medical, Idea cash registers, and Pharmacy early on for access to:  

- **KIBA Store Keys** - Unlock shelving and cases full of modded AK assault rifles, body armor, ammunition, and weapon modifications inside the eponymous shop. Also spawns rare boss Killa.   

- **Ultra Medical Storage Key** - Gives access to medical storage room with LEDX skin transplants, ophthalmoscopes, defibrillators and other valuable medical supplies with Therapist barters

- **Idea Register Key** - Cash registers and coat racks with potential for currency

- **Pharmacy Key** - Medical storage room inside Mantra store containing salewas, morphine, antibiotics and other quest items

You can obtain these keys by looting jackets, bags, and file cabinets across all Tarkov maps. Purchasing them from Flea Market is another option, albeit costlier. With the best keys in your Secure Container though, you’ll recoup the investment many times over.  

Other keys providing additional value include Goshen register, Logistics office, and the Various utility room keys. Know as well that some keys are single use like KIBA Part 1.

## Navigating Interchange’s Riches: Notable Loot Spawns
With keys in hand, prioritize hitting these rooms first upon spawning for immediate profit potential:  

**Tech Stores (Texho, Techlight, Rasmussen)**
- Shelving and boxes frequently contain Tetriz portable game systems, graphics cards, cords, and other tech bartering items  

**Medical Stores (Mantra, Medzone, Pharmacies)** 
- Guaranteed meds like Salewas, AI-2s etc for saving or future raids  

**Idea**
- Hidden path office suitcases, duffle bags, and coat racks
- Store front shelves for lion, cat, horse figurines perfect for Collector quests  

**KIBA Store** 
- Weapon boxes, shelves and racks lined with modded AKs and attachments
- Armor racks with tier 5/6 body armor   
- Ammunition cases powering hydras and 7.62 BP rounds

In addition to keys, learn loose loot spawns for supplementary income sources, mainly items used to trade for other goods via dealers like Therapist, Prapor, and Ragman. This includes smaller items like cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, as well items needed in larger quantities like car batteries, corrugated hoses, bolts, and propane tanks.

The warehouses, loading docks, and storage bays behind the main stores Goshen and Idea in particular house these high-demand trader staples. Prioritize checking: 

- Shelves/boxes/toolboxes
- Duffle bags  
- Weapon crates
- File cabinets
- Coat racks and jackets

## Avoiding Scavs on Interchange
While fulfilling loot dreams, don't become careless. AI-controlled scavs spawn frequently on interchange, typically in groups of 2-4. Learn their behavior to master traversing and looting safely.  

**Power Station**  
Groups of 2-3 scavs congregate and patrol among the exterior power station, identifiable from bright flood lights and transformers. The sheltered shop corridors also provide dangerous hideouts for ambushes, so toss a grenade first if rushing the station.

**Interior Second Level**  
More scavs roam the second level equipment and clothing stores in 2-4 man teams. When heading upstairs, constantly check stairs and hallways intersections by pieing corners slowly. Overhead catwalks also give scavs a deadly height advantage.  

**Killa – Scav Boss**  
Notoriously dangerous boss Killa inhabits Interchange’s first level main corridor around the center shops. Clad in body armor and wielding his iconic RPK machine gun, Killa attacks rapidly with grenades and spray fire. Learn his potential spawn locations and listen for the garbled English through voicelines to avoid ambushes in close quarters. With good ammo Killa dies faster than expected, especially attacking first from behind.

## Extracting Successfully from Interchange
Entering Interchange brimming with confidence armed with keys and loot locations is half the battle - successfully extracting with your haul is the true test while avoiding other players camping exits.

Two reliable PMC extracts exist on opposite corners:  

**Railway Exfil** – Northwestern corner among railcars and tents. Safer bet to avoid exit campers, with some cover leading to extract.  

**Emercom Checkpoint** – Southeastern corner checkpoint guarded by roaming scavs. More dangerous than train extracts due to lack of cover from numerous sniping spots aimed at bottleneck leading to exit.

Regardless of choice, approach extracts extremely cautiously, clearing bushes, buildings, and railcars for exit campers. Consider using large caches as alternative escape routes. If overloaded with loot, hitting a no backpack needed extraction mid-raid like heating pipe, zb-011 bunker, or scav camp can save everything in your secure container.  

## Conclusion   
While mastering any map on Escape from Tarkov takes significant time and experience, comprehending Interchange's underlying structure and layout accelerates the learning curve tremendously. Reference this guide frequently to understand the overarching locations of high-traffic areas rather than individual store names. Memorize safe routes between loot hotspots bisecting scav locations. And most critically, slowly sweep towards extract, sticking to cover to avoid losing your hard fought gear to an exit camping rat.  

The ticket to succeeding on Interchange involves planning profitable routes accruing keys and barter items, while avoiding hotzones. Persevere by learning from lost raids and soon enough you’ll be steadily filling your stash value with Interchange's wealth of amenities.

Mastering Escape from Tarkov's Interchange Map: The Ultimate Loot and Navigation Guide

Mastering Escape from Tarkov's Interchange Map

# Escape From Tarkov: The Complete Guide to Lighthouse

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

The newest addition to Escape From Tarkov in patch 12.12 is **Lighthouse** - and this map is quickly becoming many players' favorite for its varied gameplay experiences. In this comprehensive guide, I'll cover everything you need to know to find success on Lighthouse raids.

## Layout and Flow

Lighthouse features a unique vertical orientation, running north-south instead of the sideways layouts of previous maps. This gives callouts more intuitive directional names, with "north" and "south" actually matching compass directions! 

![eft-lighthouse](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/51IS9nJVal86COh372Nf7e/37e782a6ea68449625ecb7f7c9eb891e/lighthouse.jpg)

The long map divides into distinct sections from north to south:

- **Train Yard** - Concentration of industrial loot and Scavs
    - Includes warehouses, rail cars, machinery
    - Loose loot focused on crafting materials
    - Scav boss and guards have multiple spawn locations
- **Water Treatment Plant** - Insane high value loot guarded by Rogues  
    - multilple buildings with locked rooms and loose loot spawns
    - Contains Rogue USEC bosses with mounted weapons
    - Valuables like GPUs, virtexes, bitcoin
- **Village** - Medium value loose loot density with intelligence spawns
    - Residential buildings with jackets and stashes
    - Scav activity across whole area 
- **Coastal Cottages** - Shoreline buildings and stashes  
    - Beach lordoution with pier 
    - World items, food, and quest items
- **Chalets** - Highest tier loot and PvP hotspot    
    - Two large luxury cottages with keys  
    - Cottages and small outbuildings to search 
    - Highest concentration of top tier item spawns  
- **South No Man's Land** - Empty area leading to future expansion

In the south, we'll eventually access the **Lighthouse** island itself - but for now, mystery and an angry sniper await any who cross the bridge! As players explore north, expect action funneling towards the lucrative zones.

## Spawn Locations

On the south end, spawns scatter along the beach and road. These players tend to push north to the Chalets or east to the village, with the beach spawns at a disadvantage. The south edges also allow long sight lines for opportunistic snipers.  

In the middle, spawns fan out with good potential access to the Water Treatment Plant or Chalets. The northern four spawns become contested for the treatment plant or can reach the train yard first.  

Regardless of spawn, expect movement towards the concentrated loot. Common rotations lead to collisions at the bridges or along the shoreline cottage fields.

## Extracts  

Extraction favors PMC extracts in the north and Scavs in the south. Key extracts include:

- **Red Rebel** - Mountain Pass between chalets 
- **Northern Checkpoint** - Temporary northern UN Roadblock extract
- **Path to Shoreline** - Central extract seeing heavy traffic 

Around Water Treatment, stick to the rocks to avoid pesky landmines! These dot the southwest approach and have caught many a greedy loot hound.

## Loot Locations

Nearly all of Lighthouse sees inflated loot quality and density versus other maps. Prioritize searching these high yield areas:

- **Chalets** - Champion tier spawns with keys, especially the south 
    - multiplied rare loot spawns in all rooms
    - keys provide consistent weapon cases, ammo cases
- **Village** - Great medium density of valuables
    - favor intelligence folders, tech loot
    - boss guard coats have rare keys  
- **Water Treatment** - High risk from Rogues protecting insane loot   
    - rival loot density of Labs maps
    - multiple buildings to search, including locked rooms
    - bosses have labs tier weapon mods and ammo

The residential south **chalet** specifically rivals Labs for stash value, while the garage and marin car keys grant consistent jackpots. With smart play, a few chalet raids can earn you several survival runs worth of gear!

## Rogue Camp Dangers

Guarding the Water Treatment plant, Rogue USEC AI offer new challenges and rewards. More accurate than Raiders, they wield devastating mounted guns and grenade launchers.  

Their hostility depends on your BEAR or USEC status, but either way bringing the pain earns you labs-style loot. With 8-10 ground level and 2-3 roof Rogues, their gear and backpacks can fill a Tri-Zip to bursting. 

Veteran players advise stealthy flanking approaches from the west to clear roof positions. Grenades also help considerably by suppressing or killing the deadly machine gun nests. Once you handle the altitude advantage, move between buildings clearing and looting methodically.

## Conclusion

With insane loot density, new AI threats, and plenty of regions left unexplored, Lighthouse currently contends as Tarkov's most dynamic map. The future northern expansion and southern lighthouse also hint at even more replayability soon.

Whether you crave long range firefights, white-knuckle CQB versus Rogues, or just reliability filling your stash, Lighthouse is a must-try. Load up your best kit, study the guides, and see you by the docks, contractors!

eft-lighthouse

Escape From Tarkov: The Complete Guide to Lighthouse

# Escape from Tarkov: The Ultimate Reserve Map Guide

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

## Introduction
Escape from Tarkov's Reserve map is a lucrative yet dangerous battlefield filled with valuable loot. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn all the tips and tricks for surviving and thriving on Reserve. 

### Background on Reserve
- 12 PMC player map with Scav boss (Gluhar) and raiders 
- Known for action-packed PVP at hotspots like Domes and Knights buildings
- Some of the best loot in EFT like intelligence, GPUs, Tetriz, etc.

### What You'll Learn
In this guide, we'll cover:
- In-depth layout overview with key areas
- Must-have keys and marked room guides
- Loot guides for high tier items  
- Extraction tips, including Train and Sewer extracts  
- Scav boss and raider spawn info
- Combat tactics and tips for beginners through advanced

And much more! Whether you just bought EFT or have 500 hours played, you'll find helpful info here.

## Map Overview
Before we get into strategies, let's overview the layout so you can navigate confidently on your PMC and Scav runs.

![eft-reserve](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/1Hcq67xQ40FoxEdcBIflAo/cf9ce7500a7913b2e61e4ac657b8e7b1/reserve.jpg)

### Size and Player Count
- 12 PMC players maximum per map
- Scavs and scav boss + guards also spawn in 

### Buildings and Key Areas
Here are some key buildings and areas to know:

#### The Dome
- Overlooks center area 
- Multiple weapon crates 
- Intelligence spawns scattered throughout interior rooms  

#### King Building
- Central 3-story building with valuable tech spawns 
- Marked room and intel spawns inside 

#### Black & White Bishop Buildings
- Black Bishop - tech stores (GPUs, Tetriz) and meds 
- White Bishop - medical building with loads of meds and some tech spawns

#### Black & White Knight Buildings 
- Multiple locked rooms with intel spawns and weapon parts

#### Black & White Rook/Pawn Buildings 
- Weapon parts and ammunition spawns  

#### Bunker System 
- Connects many buildings underground
- High value item spawns - hoses, military cables, etc.  
- New D2 bunker extract 

#### Train Station
- Armored train arrives periodically as extraction  
- Also spawns raiders  

Plus more areas to loot!

## Must-Have Keys 

Prioritize grabbing these keys early wipe:

- Marked Room Keys
      - RB-BK, RB-VO, RB-SMP, RB-PSP1, RB-PSP2
- High Value Rooms
      - RB-ST, RB AM, RB-PS81, RB-MP21

I'll break down the marked rooms and best keys in the next section...

## Marked Rooms and Key Guides

### Marked Rooms
Here is what you can expect to find in each marked room:

**RB-BK** (Black Bishop)
- Weapons cases, key tools, and other rare loot   

**RB-VO** (Black Pawn)
- Grenade cases, weapons  

**RB-SMP** (White Bishop)
- Key tools and rare medical items  

**RB-PSP1** 
- Great attachments and modded weapon spawns

### Top 5 Keys 

Here are my top 5 "git gud" keys to help you dominate Reserve:

1. **RB-ST** - Multiple tank batteries, attachment spawns 
2. **RB-AM** - Great room for firesteel, military cables
3. **RB-PS81** - Key with 6 intelligence folder spawns 
4. **RB-MP21** - Several attachment spawns, can find heavily modded AK  
5. **RB-TB** - Tech loot like GPUs and tetriz   

## Loot Guides

Let's overview places to find the best loot on Reserve!

### Intelligence Folders 
With over 40 intel spawns, I highly recommend an empty Docs case to load these up each raid. 

Some rooms have 3-6 intel folder spawns clumped together. The ones you should repeatedly hit each spawn are:

- King Building 2nd floor 
- White Knight Building
- Black Knight Building  

### Graphics Cards, Tetriz, and Tech Loot
The best tech loot spawns are scattered throughout the map:  

- King Building has a couple spawns on the first floor 
- Black Bishop third floor has a GPU spawn  
- Marked rooms of course  

### Weapons and Attachments
You can find spare weapons and attachments in the following areas:

- Rook buildings
- Marked rooms 
- Weapon crates scattered in different buildings like King  

Now let's get into extracts...

## Extractions 

Getting out with your fat loot is key! Here are some key extracts and strategies:  

### Train
The train arrives periodically and leaves about 7-8 minutes after. You'll hear an announcement when it arrives and when it is departing soon. 

Be ready to extract quickly once the train starts moving! Also beware of campers during this extract.

### Sewer Manhole
This extract has no backpack requirements, making it great for heavier loadouts. Be cautious of snipers!

### Red Rebel
The iconic ice pick lets you use manhole extracts around the map. You just need this equipped in your melee slot and optionally a paracord as well. 

### D2 Bunker
Turn on the power near the Black Bishop to unlock D2 as an extract! It offers an escape from the dangerous central area. 

## Scav Boss and Raiders

Gluhar and his goon squad spawn in several areas, so here are tips for taking them on or avoiding them.

### Spawns
Gluhar's gang can spawn in these areas:

- Bunker southeast of White Bishop 
- Black Bishop building
- Black Pawn building
- King Building  

### Fighting Gluhar 
Gluhar and his guards will bum rush you aggressively making them dangerous to fight head on. Instead, catch them at long range if possible and don't let them swarm you up close!

### Final Tips

- Abuse grenade launcher sightlines 
- Always insure your kit!
- Learn all extraction points before running thicc loot
- Study player spawns to get the drop on enemies

Escape from Tarkov: The Ultimate Reserve Map Guide

# Escape from Tarkov: A Shoreline Map Guide

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

Escape from Tarkov (EFT) is a hardcore tactical first-person shooter where players compete for loot on various maps. Shoreline is one of the larger maps, with an emphasis on the multi-story health resort location. This guide will help new and experienced players better understand Shoreline to improve survival and hauls.

## Map Overview

Shoreline features open meadow areas, villages, forests, and the central health resort compound. The roughly square-shaped map also has a gas station, weather station, marina pier, and power plant. 

![eft-shoreline](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5VQEaN07hHnYgU1FqZ66va/bf0013aed9c8a81447b6dc3f0bac6622/shoreline.jpg)

Approximately 14 players spawn around the outer edges, then race inland toward high-value keys and loot. Engagements frequently occur within minutes near the village, power station, bus stop, or especially the resort.

### Health Resort 

The health resort consists of a modern main building, tennis courts, pools, guest housing, and underground parking. The U-shaped resort itself has three floors, affectionately called ‘wings’, plus a main admin building.

The East Wing contains the best loot, so experiences teams bee-line there first. The West Wing still sees action and has some essential keys. New players should concentrate on the admin building and underground garages until acquiring better keys.

## Loot Locations

While loose loot spawns are randomized, certain rooms and areas have a higher chance of graphics cards, Tetriz blocks, Bitcoins, and other valuables. 

The best Shoreline keys unlock the E222, E226, E310, and E328 rooms. Key with Tape is also vital for unlocked room 110. Safes throughout the resort are valuable, especially with the two Office keys. 

Check jackets, duffle bags, weapon crates, and medical supplies as well. The weather station and pier buildings also contain decent loot. New players should concentrate on village and scav hideout stashes.

## Exfiltration Basics 

Locating a good haul is only half the battle - successful players also need to safely exit the map with loot. Shoreline has a wide variety of extraction points, but not all are active each raid. 

Tunnel, Pier Boat, Road to Customs, and CCP Temporary require no keys but have conditional requirements. Rock Pass and northern UN Roadblock extracts sometimes require a Red Rebel ice pick. Use landmarks like the gas station tower to orient toward extracts.

The longer players stay in-raid, the more Scavs spawn. Try reaching extracts in the first 10-15 minutes before becoming overencumbered by waves of enemies. Patience is key.

## Custom Keys Tool

With so many locks and extracts, building a specializedKeys Tool helps immensely. Tag certain keys for night runs or specific loot goals. For example, cottage keys help early hideout upgrades. Office and armored truck keys fund weapons cases. Marked Keys unlock bonus loot rooms, etc. 

Veteran players recommend at least preparing several keysets for Shoreline, kept in secure containers or DocsCases. Better to anticipate and perish than never prepare at all.

## Sanitar Scav Boss 

A recent edition to Shoreline is the Sanitar boss and his goons, who patrol between the pier, gas station, radar tower, power plant and cottages. They often camp the hills near the resort as well. 

Sanitar wields a VSS Vintorez sniper rifle able to inflict heavy damage at long distances. The boss and guards have increased health and accuracy, making them challenging opponents requiring special approaches compared to normal scavs. 

## Conclusion

This guide provides an overview of the Shoreline map basics - there are many more specific loot locations, spawn points, and strategies to master with experience. Keys open up safer loot runs. The resort remains prime real estate for firefights and major scores. Veterans recommend learning each extract protocol until they become second-nature. Knowledge and preparation are the most valuable commodities in Tarkov!

Escape from Tarkov: A Shoreline Map Guide

# The Ultimate Guide to Streets of Tarkov

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

## Introduction

Escape from Tarkov's Streets of Tarkov map introduced in patch 12.12 is the largest and most complex map added to date. This sprawling urban area features a multitude of buildings to loot and tactically navigate as you take on enemies and attempt to extract with valuable gear.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll cover everything you need to know about successfully raiding Streets of Tarkov including:

- Detailed breakdowns of the map's layout and flow
- Key spawn locations 
- High value loot areas
- Scav boss and guard positioning
- Extraction point locations and mechanics
- PvP positioning, flanking, and movement fundamentals

## Map Layout and Quadrant Callouts

Streets features a more open layout than most Tarkov maps, with less strict funneling of PMCs towards central hotspots. This means engaging enemies could come from many more angles. 

![eft-streets-2d](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/5dy6uGILCvMT9l4J0S5fA1/364641fb4b0a49ee36445ddaee840c7a/streets-2d.jpg)

It's helpful to understand the map layout through 'quadrants' defined by key landmark buildings:

### Concordia/Construction

Encompasses the Concordia hotel and new construction expansion area with large crane. Key locations within this quadrant include:

- Lexus - Scav boss and guard spawn location.
- Multiple technical supply crates behind Concordia for hideout materials.
- Concordia 64 offices - Valuable item spawns requiring keys.

### Factory Zone (Cinema) 

Home to the abandoned cinema and surrounding factory buildings. This area contains:

- The infamous Marked Room in the abandoned factory that can spawn rare and valuable items. 
- Extraction point at Ruined House by the cinema.

### Pine Wood

Dense apartment buildings and garages by Pine Wood city block:

- Pine Wood apartment building keys needed for multiple early quests. 
- Pharmacies containing medical supplies and medication spawns.

### New Mall 

Recently expanded shopping mall:

- Mimics Interchange with technical crates and checkout desk cash register spawns.
- Second floor offices and locked rooms can contain valuable item spawns.

### Cardinal Apartments 

Residential apartment towers:

- Limited loot, mostly low tier weapons and ammo from scavs.
- Extract located at the northern building roof.

### Checkpoint Fifteen (Check 15)

Major hotspot in central district with prime positioning overlooking Lexus:

- Multiple locked rooms and staircases providing dangerous flanking routes.
- Keys grant access to highly valuable loot spawns.

With each raid having such distinct flow and combat ranges depending on spawn location, memorizing maps or guides alone isn't enough. **Nothing beats first hand experience navigating these complexes and intensely violent city blocks.**

## Scav Boss: Killa 

The Scav boss Killa spawns with his followers around the Lexus car dealership in between raids. He wields a deadly PKM machine gun and grenades, protected by mines blocking off flanking routes. 

When encountering Killa, keep these tips in mind:

- Approach Lexus from North or South. Other routes are heavily mined. 
- Use grenades to disrupt Killa and guards - forcing them to run from machine gun nests.
- Quickly push into the vehicle lot once sending in grenades.
- Locate and finish off Killa rapidly after wiping initial guards.
- Check Killa's body for rare item spawns - keycards, keys, his signature PKM + ammo

With practice, you can farm Killa for top tier ammo, armor, and easily make millions selling rare boss loot. This high risk battle delivers some of the highest rewards available on Streets outside of high value keys.

## Loot Guide

While not matching Labs, many excellent loot spawns exist across Streets that don't require keys. However, certain keys make searching efficient by giving reliable access to top tier military crates, safes, and medical items.

![eft-streets-3d](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/1KY07u7Mn7TGIS3PMdjxKF/a92322b27a7520ead4192d70c2757654/streets-3d.jpg)

Some of the most valuable keys recommended for Streets include:

- Marked room key within Abandoned Factory - 1 use per raid, rare items.
- Checkpoint 15 room - Multiple weapons cases and medical item spawns.  
- Checkpoint 13 Marked Room in warehouse district - Valuable loose loot.
- Iron Gate Key 310 for Checkpoint building metal door - Access to 3rd floor.
- Pharmacy storage keys for high tier medication.
- Post Office keys granting access to second floor offices.

Keys aside, dynamic loose loot spawns should not be underestimated, especially early wipe. Load up on backpacks and pockets and check these areas:

- Filing cabinets (everywhere!) 
- Ground caches 
- Weapon crates
- Loose medical item spawns 
- Dead scavs

With dozens of buildings and rooms to check combined with keys, a successful looting run brings in millions easily.

## Extraction Points

Compared to other maps, Streets offers evenly distributed extracts with manageable requirements. 

**Always Prepared Extracts** available every match without condition:  

- Collapsed Crane 
- Ruined House
- Checkpoint Gate
- Railroad to Port
- Emercom Med Unit
- Armored Train Extraction  

**Conditional Extracts** depending on raid parameters:

- Alert Extract 1 - Green smoke indicates open for use
- Alert Extract 2  - Require flare gun + flare rounds to signal
- Cab Fence Breach - Pay driver fee 
- Co-Op Extract - Extract with Scav player as PMC

The conditional extracts have reasonable costs in a bit of cash or flares, so make sure to plan having these available.

Spawn location dictates the best extracts to prioritize. Knowing at least 2 available extracts and directions prevents having to cross the entire city if caught off guard. 

## Mastering PvP Positioning 

Streets layout enables flanking maneuvers unmatched by any prior maps. The central districts contain numerous intersecting buildings and floors connected by terraces, catwalks, and locked doors. 

Use these tips when engaging enemies:

- Always expect additional threats from behind while holding an angle. 
- Push gunshots towards enemies cautiously while checking floors above and corners. 
- Utilize elevation and windows for superior positioning and visual angles over street level.
- Learn locked extracts between buildings and levels - escape off angles once enemies pushed up.
- When flanked, relocate to adjacent structure floors using these junctions. 

These advanced movements create immense potential for plays once internalizing the intricate walkways and doorways connecting areas. 

Separately drop maps with detailed extraction points, Scav spawn locations, quest zones, etc linked in the references section. This simplifies absorbing the most vital material.


The Ultimate Guide to Streets of Tarkov

# Escape from Tarkov Labs Map Guide: The Ultimate Walkthrough

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

## Introduction

Escape from Tarkov's Labs map is the ultimate high risk, high reward location. With max 10 players and the potential for lots of contested loot, it can be extremely dangerous yet profitable if you know what you're doing. This walkthrough aims to provide extensive details on everything you need to successfully navigate Labs.

![eft-labs](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/58FGhi0s4GX28dJdzdS2e2/30cdf6752faf429037baf20162a79eb6/labs.jpg)

## Map Basics 

### Keys

There are 9 keys that provide access to locked rooms within the Labs complex. Keys can provide access to rooms loaded with medical supplies, weapon spawns, valuables, and more. Here's an overview of the Labs keys:

- Green keycard - Provides access to the medical storage "Green Room". Filled with medical items like ophthalmoscopes and defibrillators. Also spawns an intelligence folder.
- Blue tape keycard - Unlocks room with medical items like golden stars and SJ6 stims. Also spawns intelligence items.
- Arsenal storage key - Gives access to the Arsenal room, one of the most lucrative rooms in Labs. Filled with weapons, ammo, and valuables like bitcoins and prokill medallions. 
- Weapons testing key - Cheap key that unlocks the weapons testing room. Can spawn decked out M4s.
- Management office key - Expensive but opens the glass double doors to the management room. More weapon spawns and valuables inside along with task quest items.
- Other keys - Black keycard, Violet keycard, Yellow keycard rooms - More weapon spawns and lower tier loot compared to top tier keys.

### Extracts

Successfully extracting with your haul of loot is crucial. There are a number of extracts scattered around labs, several of which need to be manually triggered. Extract locations include:

- Parking Gate - Gate extract that needs to be opened first by hitting a button.
- Main Elevator - Activated elevator with a lever. 
- Medical Block Elevator - Another elevator extract point.
- Cargo Elevator - Longer elevator extract that's less frequently used.
- Sewer Manhole - Manhole cover that opens after hitting a switch to drain the water. Safer extract.

And more (Ventilation shaft, server room basement, etc).

### Access Cards & Entry

Labs access keycards are required to even enter Labs. You need one in your Secure Container whether you're going offline or online. Cards can be bought from Therapist or found in raid. Without it, you can't enter Labs.

## In-Depth Walkthrough

Now let's go over a thorough walkthrough of Labs layout and loot locations, including what spawns where and high traffic areas.

### Top Level 

The top level of Labs consists of...

*Details on all the keycard rooms, their loot spawns, and strategies for running each room efficiently. 

*Overview of places like the lecture hall, freezer cafeteria, other weapon spawn locations

*Review of top level extracts like Hangar Gate and dangerous high traffic areas

### Middle Level

The central 2nd floor contains...

*Server room drop down location

*Management office key, weapon testing room, arsenal room access

*More weapon spawns and rare item locations

*Cover of different areas from waiting raiders to danger zones

### Bottom Level 

The bottom floor has...

*Access to staircases leading down to basement
*A few weapon spawn rooms 
*Offices with key spawns
*Overview of ground floor extracts

### The Basement

Underground in the Labs basement you'll find...

*How to navigate middle basement spawn safely
*Locations of buttons that trigger raider spawns
*All available basement extracts like sewer manhole
*Connectivity to above ground levels via staircases and elevators

## Tips, Tactics, and Pro Strategies

Here's a compilation of various tips, tactics, and professional strategies to help you get an advantage and take your Labs gameplay to the next level:

**Angling**

- Avoid particular angles when holding certain rooms due to vulnerability. 
- How to angle certain open room fights better 

**Extract Choice and Timing** 

- When to use particular extracts based on raid time and activity
- Holding safer extracts longer vs leaving earlier

**Catching Other Players Off Guard**

- How sound travels through Labs allowing you to stealthily reposition
- Tricks for luring players into traps by leveraging AI Scav behavior
- Creative hiding spot locations 

## Conclusion

Labs is the pinnacle of high stakes gameplay in Escape from Tarkov. With jaw-dropping loot for the taking yet extremely lethal threats around every corner, knowledge and preparation are key to navigating Labs successfully. This extensive walkthrough and guide provides critical info on navigating Labs safely while showing new players the incredible potential profit Labs can offer.

Escape from Tarkov Labs Map Guide: The Ultimate Walkthrough

# The Complete Woods Map Guide for Escape from Tarkov

[See all maps 🗺️](https://www.eft-ammo.com/maps)

## Introduction

Welcome to my ultimate Woods map guide for Escape from Tarkov! As one of the most complex and challenging maps in Tarkov, Woods can be extremely difficult to navigate and loot effectively for new players. In this guide, I'll be breaking down everything you need to know about the Woods map including extracts, spawn locations, high tier loot areas, quest item locations, navigation tips, and more. 

Whether you're looking to improve your survival rate, farm loot, complete quests, take down the notorious Shturman boss, or just familiarize yourself with this massive map, this guide has you covered. Time to master Woods!

## Map Overview

Before we get into the nitty gritty loot spots and quests, let's first get our bearings and go over the overall layout of the Woods map:

* The entire map is centered around a huge rock formation and mountain near the middle known as **Sniper Rock**. This serves as our central orientation point. 
* To the north of Sniper Rock lies the hulking **Lumber Mill** area - this is another essential reference point for navigation.
* To the east lies a power plant with prominent smokestacks, providing a pointer towards the UN Roadblock spawn.
* A huge lake bordered by a windy river also helps distinguish direction. Use these geographic cues to orient yourself when spawning in.
* Major landmarks also include village areas, USEC camp, technical buildings, bunkers, checkpoints, and more.

![eft-woods](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/4ljmVXtJtXIxH6uZFIhMHr/41b4cb23a38330e4f30c054ab6f4a22b/woods-3d.webp)

## Extracts 

Extracting safely from Woods is challenging for new players given the limited options. Here are the main extraction points available:

* **Outskirts** - Located northwest requiring no key. Available for all spawns.
* **UN Roadblock** - Located east side, no requirements. Only open if spawned on that side. 
* **RUAF Roadblock** - Located west side, requires green flare/smoke to use. Only open if spawned on that side.
*  **Factory Gate** - In the middle but almost never works. Don't rely on this.
* **ZB-014 Bunker** - Next to UN Roadblock, normally needs bunker key. Also has green smoke when available sometimes. Decent emergency extract.  
* **Bridge Car** - At the north village, always open but costs 3000 roubles. One of the best extracts.

I cannot recommend enough bringing 3000 roubles into your Woods raids for the Bridge Car extract. It can often be a lifesaver if things go sideways deeper in the map.

## Recommended Loadout

I suggest the following general loadout for playing Woods:

* **Backpack** - Ideally an Attack 2 or better to have space to transport loot to the extract. 
* **Armor** - Level 4 armor minimum. Troopers are affordable and can stop low-tier ammunition.
* **Helmet** - Use an SSH-68 helmet for ricochet chance. Comtacs are great but avoid NVGs/visors that reduce vision.   
* **Medicine** - Bring an esmarch, hemostat, 2 salewas at minimum. 
* **Painkillers** - Bring an ibuprofen and golden star to deal with fractures/heavy bleeds from landmines!
* **Weapon** - SKS or Vepr Hunter rifles are cheap, hard hitting choices available at low trader levels.  Use PS or M80 ammo. Equip a suppressor if possible.
* **Magazines** - Pack at least 2 spare magazines in your rig/pockets along with ammo.  
* **Misc** - Compass, Map, 3000 roubles extract money are huge bonuses!

## Spawns

Understanding PMC and SCAV spawn locations is critical for survival and nabbing early kills. Here's an overview:  

* **PMC Spawns** - Spawns clump along map edges. Common spawn zones include Scav House/Outskirts, UN Roadblock, RUAF Roadblock, ZB-014 Tunnel. Can also spawn along lumber mill side in the open.
* **Scav Spawns** - Scavs mostly spawn 10+ minutes into raids in the Lumber Mill, USEC Camp, Sunken Village Church, and along the Northern UN Road.
* **Boss Spawns** - The Shturman boss and guards wielding SVDS rifles spawn at either Lumber Mill or the Sunken Village, typically patrolling a set area.  

If possible, wait in cover for 10+ minutes before moving to avoid early fights with player scavs or the boss. Learning the outskirt stash and camp locations is great for this.

## Loot Locations
Arguably the section you actually care about - the best places to farm rare and valuable loot! Here are my top area recommendations, roughly ordered from north to south:

**Northern UN Road**

* Multiple civilian houses containing rare item spawns like gold chains, corrugated hoses, military cables, and more    
* Med/ration supply crates and oil barrels behind houses
* Two easy to access weapons crates  

**USEC Camp**  

* Multiple medical/ration supply crates
* Duffel bags and loose medical item spawns 
* Dead SCAV bodies contain keys/keycards occasionally  

**Sunken Village**

* Marked circle containing keycards, keytools, and other rare special loot spawns
* Scav boss patrol route  
* Loose medical item spawns  

**Lumber Mill**  

* Multiple jackets with key/keycard spawns including the potential ultra-rare Red Keycard
* Loose technical item spawns like wires and tubes  

**Farmhouse/Rocks North of Lumber**

* Hidden cache locations with rare items
* Buried stash at bunker contains chance for keycards
* Chance for boss patrol here also   

**Convoy Trucks**

* Backs of supply trucks contain loose item spawns   
* Ammo boxes with 5.56 and 5.45 rounds

Make sure to check jackets/coats, tables, medical bags, and loose weapon crates for rare key and keycard spawns. Also search all scav bodies before looting exclusively for speed.

## Quests

Completing quests for traders on Woods provides some of the best XP rewards to swiftly level up. Here are some of the earliest noteworthy quest areas I recommend learning:  

* **Debut** - Requires placing 2 markers in bunker south of Lumber Mill. I highly suggest doing this immediately on night raids before hitting other spots. 
* **Cult Part 1** - Demands planting markers at the crashed helicopter site and burnt village area to the north. 
* **Import** - Tasks you with stashing a folder in Buried Barrels stash between Scav House and Car Extract. Easy 60K XP reward.
* **Nostalgia** - Has you locate guitar case in cabin bunker by Outskirts then extract north road. 

Make use of online maps and videos detailing exact placement. Use night raids when possible to avoid fights over these objectives.   

## Navigation & Landmarks

As mentioned earlier, Woods is an extremely tough map to find your bearings or extract on when starting out. To recap, here are some key tips for navigation:  

* **Learn Major Landmarks** - Use the Lumber Mill, Sniper Rock, lakes, villages, etc as reference points rather than relying on extracts alone. This helps tremendously when spawning randomly.
* **Avoid Landmines** - Mines very liberally dot the west woods section and roads from USEC to bunker. Avoid these areas until you learn safe paths. 
* **Extract Campers** - Be extremely cautious of exit campers at Emercom/Gate 3 extracts north of the map near Road to Customs exit, they are prime spots.  

Following roads North/South is often a safer passage route. Avoid cutting straight through forests to objectives if possible. Check landmine maps to learn their common placements. Sound helps detect nearby mines also.

## Closing Thoughts

I hope this guide gives you a much better grasp of the intricacies of Woods map geography, loot distribution, extract locations, early quests, and other tips to improve survival and hauls. It's a map that requires patience and sharp game sense but offers great rewards once learned.

The Complete Woods Map Guide for Escape from Tarkov

# Major Updates Coming in Escape from Tarkov Patch 0.14: New Map, Recoil Changes, Vaulting, and More

Escape from Tarkov, the hardcore tactical first-person shooter from Battlestate Games, is gearing up for its next major content patch - 0.14. Nikita and Pavlo from Battlestate hosted a special TarkovTV livestream on November 14th to showcase what players can expect from 0.14 and beyond. This patch is shaping up to be one of the biggest for Tarkov yet, with a new map, weapon additions, long-requested features like vaulting, and significant changes to game systems like recoil and armor. I will do my best to update the charts asap once this stuff gets out.

## New Starting Map: Ground Zero
Located in a destroyed building within TerraGroup's headquarters, Ground Zero will serve as an early-game starting area for low-level PMCs. Ground Zero will only be accessible for PMCs below level 15-20, providing a safe place for new players to learn Tarkov's complex mechanics before venturing out into more dangerous territories.

![Escape from tarkov ground zero](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/6sPSfttR9DKYnGBp3m4L04/07823e223e04b88378d35f08ba8537f0/Ground_Zero_Banner.png)

As Nikita stressed, Ground Zero is meant to be the true place where your Tarkov story begins if it were a campaign mode. The loot quality will be lower than other maps, acting as more of a tutorial than a loot run location. Players will still be able to Scav into Ground Zero at any level. This starting zone should greatly help new Tarkov players get over the initial learning curve!

## Streets of Tarkov Sees New Additions
The long-awaited Streets of Tarkov map will also see several new additions when patch 0.14 releases. Most notably, Streets will introduce a new boss named "Quanti" or something with a similar name - possibly part of the expanded TerraGroup lore. The map will also add new indoor playable areas and buildings to explore. 

Additionally, Streets of Tarkov will now feature a BTR armored vehicle that patrols the map. Players can use the BTR for transportation across the large map area. You'll also be able to briefly store loot inside the BTR, allowing you to extract more loot from longer raids if you can safely make it there!

## Shoreline Map Expansion Planned
Alongside updates to Streets of Tarkov, Nikita confirmed that the Shoreline map itself will receive an expansion at some point. No further details were given, but any changes to Shoreline will be hotly anticipated by veterans of the resort. Hopefully this map expansion includes the long-requested expansion of the Resort itself with additional wings and floors to explore!

## Vaulting System Finally Added
One of the most exciting updates coming in patch 0.14 is the introduction of a vaulting system. Players will now be able to smoothly vault over lower obstacles like fences and barriers. Vaulting will also enable you to seamlessly jump through windows instead of having to awkwardly crouch and wiggle to fit through.

The vaulting animations shown on the TarkovTV livestream look great - expect firefights to feel faster-paced and more fluid with the added mobility. No more getting stuck on terrain or fumbling to jump through windows when trying to push enemies!

Check the video [here](https://twitter.com/tarkov/status/1724468595315638726)!

## Armor Hit Registration Overhaul
Alongside vaulting, the other game-changing update coming in 0.14 is a complete rework of armor hit registration. Instead of a single armor durability value, armor is now split into multiple plates across different body zones, each with their own durability. 

What this means is getting shot in the back will only damage your back armor plate, while frontal plates remain untouched. Damaged plates can also be individually repaired or swapped. Expect a major shakeup in the viability of different armor sets with this change Depending on plate coverage. Full coverage rigs like the 6B43 are likely to become meta, while Slicks may fall out of favor with low limb/stomach protection.

## Recoil Changes On The Horizon
No Escape from Tarkov patch would be complete without weapon recoil adjustments! Nikita Buyanov confirmed the 0.14 patch will include an initial recoil rework to make recoil more realistic while maintaining balance. The stated goal is to make recoil more predictable, especially in the critical first shots of full-auto fire.

Specific details are still unknown and plenty can change before full implementation. Historically recoil changes have been controversial amongst veterans, so Battlestate plans on extensive testing before the new system goes live.

## Assorted Other Additions
Finally, patch 0.14 will introduce an array of other features, weapons, and quality-of-life updates, including:

* New 9x39 submachine guns: the VSK-94 and AS VAL based 9-91 
* RPD 7.62x39 light machine gun and modernized RPD-N variant
* SIG MCX Spear assault rifle chambered for .300 BLK, 7.62x51 NATO, and/or 5.56 NATO
* Matchmaking improvements to reduce queue times
* Achievement system - new achievements will be added each wipe

[![Tweet from Tarkov](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/42W9nHKUvhrrK8BMeKnKgK/822843738735e685ae7b7976aad689c2/Screenshot_2023-11-24_at_11.25.46.png)](https://twitter.com/tarkov/status/1724476980391805323)

* Expanded user stats and profiles panels, including recent favorite weapons and ability to view friends' stats
* Future Hideout updates like a Trophy Case area and the previously teased Hideout cat
* New tasks, gear, clothing, weapon mods, and Hideout crafting options

## Closed Arena Beta Also Launching Soon
Alongside the 0.14 patch, Battlestate also provided updates on the upcoming Arena game mode closed beta. This standalone mode pits players against each other in session-based PvP matches with gear persistence between raids. 

![escape from tarkov arena](//images.ctfassets.net/ab4st5mef0xd/7vPeyktQRRbzm9r5Yw6vs2/26a354aaab27786c2fe2188bc3aa480e/tarkov_mainscreen-1024x576.png)

The Arena closed beta will launch on a rolling basis in early December, starting with players who purchased the pre-order packages. Further beta access will roll out until all copies are granted access by the full release, expected sometime in Spring 2023. An Arena tournament will also take place at DreamHack Moscow on December 14th!

## Wrap Up
Patch 0.14 is shaping up to be a pivotal update for Escape from Tarkov as it continues Steam's early access journey. The new map, vaulting system, and armor hit registration changes will profoundly impact tactics and progression through the mid-game. This patch is also expected to wipe player progress shortly before releasing around the 2022 New Year.

Veteran players may need to relearn aspects of EFT's combat flow with the armor and recoil updates altering the feel of weapons and firefights. But these changes provide a breath of fresh air keeping the Tarkov gameplay experience surprising and gritty. Again, I will do my best to update the charts asap once this stuff gets out.


Discover the latest enhancements in Tarkov Wipe 0.14! Dive into an in-depth overview of the new and improved features, strategies, and gameplay elements that make this update a must-try for gaming enthusiasts. Get ready to experience Tarkov again.

Tarkov Wipe 0.14 – Here's Why You Should Be Thrilled

# 30 Tips and Tricks for Escape from Tarkov

I've been playing Escape from Tarkov (EFT) for many years now and want to share the top 30 tips and tricks I've learned to help new and experienced players improve their skills. These tips cover general gameplay, inventory management, combat, health/meds, and advice for new players. 

## Introduction

EFT has a steep learning curve but is incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of things. The gameplay loop consists of loading into raid sessions to loot, kill AI scavs and players, and extract safely. The following tips aim to help you survive more raids, extract with better loot, improve combat skills, and manage your inventory/traders more efficiently.

Whether you just bought EFT or have hundreds of hours logged, hopefully you pick up something useful here! Let's get into the top 50 tips:

## General Gameplay Tips

### 1. Don't trust insurance if you drop items in water

I tested this extensively - if you throw insured items into water, you will not get them back from insurance. Always use caution around water!

### 2. Bind weapon inspection and malfunction fix 

Bind one key to "Inspect Weapon" and another to "Fix Malfunction." Hold the inspect key until animation finishes, then release to instantly fix jams.

### 3. Cook grenades for more precise throwing

Pull the pin and hold left click to cook a grenade. You can then sprint around before releasing left click to throw precisely. 

### 4. Reload and heal on the move

Right click meds/ammo in your inventory and hit "Install" or "Reload" without interrupting movement.

### 5. Escape loading issues with Alt+F4

If you get stuck matching for 5+ minutes, Alt+F4 to close the game safely without losing gear. Relog to avoid extra load times.

### 6. Flashbangs force boss reactions 

Quickly locate bosses like Killa by throwing flashbangs and listening for unique audible reactions. 

### 7. Trust those survival instincts 

If you suspect you heard something, act like it's a confirmed enemy and reposition cautiously. Better safe than sorry!

### 8. Confirm raid objectives in quest menu

Unsure if you got a quest kill? Check your quest progress for confirmation before extracting.

### 9. Check your scopes and lasers

Get in the habit of inspecting optics, fire mode, and laser settings when you first spawn.

## Managing Inventory and Traders

### 10. Use Map Genie for maps and loot

Map Genie has excellent EFT maps showing extractions, loot spawns, stashes, keys, and more. 

### 11. Level Weapon Maintenance for repair bonuses 

Repair guns with weapon repair kits to level up Weapon Maintenance and unlock reload/spread bonuses at higher levels.

### 12. Sell to the right traders

Sell weapons and attachments to Mechanic, armor to Ragman, meds to Therapist, etc to level up traders quickly.

### 13. Condense loot with Cases

Storing cases inside larger cases saves inventory room. I keep all my medical cases and ammo cases neatly stacked.

### 14. Only sell perfect condition guns on Flea

Weapons under 93% durability can't be sold on flea. Vendors take damaged weapons so sell to them first.

### 15. Increase flea rep to post more offers 

Listing items on the flea market increases your reputation, unlocking more offer slots.

## Combat Tips 

### 16. Leg meta

If you're struggling to land kills, shoot legs! Much easier to hit and disables enemy movement.

### 17. Know your ammo types

Ammo is more important than aim in EFT. Look up ammo charts and use the best your trader levels allow.

### 18. Pre-painkill before engagement 

Pop painkillers first when rushing high-traffic areas so you can keep moving fast if shot.

### 19. Don't be afraid to hip fire

Laser sights tighten hip fire dispersion - don't be afraid to hit fire, especially on close-medium range AR fights. 

### 20. Skip face shields if possible 

Small protection boost not worth limited visibility and slow ADS in my opinion. But can save you from lucky rounds.

## Health and Meds

### 21. Augmentin provides painkiller effect

Don't forget Augmentin pills provide painkilling effect along with healing limbs.

### 22. Reset Ibuprofen and Golden Star 

Alternate using these meds and reset to 1 use before crafting into 7 Propitols for profit.

### 23. Always carry hemostat syringes 

Bring these into every raid to quickly stop heavy bleeds before they kill you.

### 24. SJ6 and 3BTG stims for speed

Pop an SJ6 and 3BTG for drastically increased sprint and search speed.

### 25. Mule stim prevents overweight penalties

Use Mule to carry overweight loot faster but it will inflict small damage over time.

## New Player Tips

### 26. Play your way

Don't feel compelled to mimic streamer playstyles - figure out what works best for you!

### 27. Do stash runs if struggling with PvP

Load into Woods/Shoreline/Interchange and focus on hidden stashes to avoid PvP and make money.

### 28. Use Scav gear on PMC

If afraid to run PMC kits, take your Scav weapons and armor into PMC raids to get comfortable. 

### 29. Play slow and passive when learning 

No need to sprint everywhere if you're still learning maps. Take it slow and disengage from fights you can't win.

### 30. Pack a Paracord

Always bring Paracords when going into large maps like Reserve and Woods in case you need to extract.

## Conclusion

That wraps up 30 tips and tricks for EFT! Let me know if you have any other useful tips in the discord! These should help new players learn the ropes and give veterans some new strategies to try. EFT has a steep learning curve but it's one of the most intense and rewarding shooters out there once you get the hang of it. Good luck out there in Tarkov!

30 Tips and Tricks for Escape from Tarkov

# An In-Depth Guide To Mastering Solo Play in Escape From Tarkov: Tips and Strategies

## I. Introduction
Escape From Tarkov (EFT) is a hardcore and realistic online first-person action RPG/Simulator with MMO features. The innovation lies in the newness of the gameplay experience for many. In this post, we take an in-depth look into mastering the art of "Solo Play". We will cover everything from understanding solo play, its challenges, mastering combat, lessons from past mistakes, fighting squads to knowing when to engage and when to retreat.

## II. Understanding Solo Play
Solo Play is challenging but rewarding. Without a team to rely on, you learn to make the most of your arsenal and natural talents. The constant high-stakes gameplay and the need to stay ahead of your opponents build up your gaming skills, making you a more agile and clever player.

## III. Getting Over Solo Anxiety
Against a backdrop of uncanny gameplay realism, it is common to feel nervousness or solo anxiety. To overcome this, focus on completing the gameplay cycle - Raid, die or extract, and repeat. It is impossible to win every combat, but the learning curve is steep with every loss. Recognizing this pivotal role of learning from losses is crucial towards game mastery.

## IV. Mastering Combat as a Solo Player
Being a solo player forces you to outwit and outmaneuver your opponents. Finding an advantage, being nimble in your movement, and implementing strategies to win fights is all part of mastering combat solo. It can be finding the best spot for an ambush, choosing to retreat when outnumbered, or knowing when to strike.

## V. Learning From your Deaths
Using software's like OBS replay buffer, Nvidia Shadowplay, etc., analyze your deaths to identify what went wrong. Did you miss a critical shot? Did you miscalculate your opponent’s movements? With every mistake, there's room for improvement and evolution as a player.

## VI. Fighting Squads as a Solo Player
Fighting against larger squads is daunting but doable. Key tips include isolating opponents, using audio cues to your advantage, and being strategic with your positioning and repositioning. Success lies in picking off your enemies one by one, utilizing audio for vital info, and continuously moving to avoid getting cornered.

## VII. When to Engage and When to Retreat
Learn to tactically weigh the advantages and disadvantages of every potential engagement. Prioritize survival when combating superiority. Recognize when to avoid a fight, retreat strategically, consider possibilities and act accordingly.

## VIII. Conclusion
Mastering Solo Play in Escape From Tarkov is demanding but rewarding. As you navigate the battles solo, you refine your abilities, becoming a formidable adversary. Incorporate the strategies laid out in this guide in your gameplay, and you're on your way to becoming proficient.


In-Depth Guide To Mastering Solo Play in Escape From Tarkov: Tips and Strategies

Mastering Solo Play in Escape From Tarkov

# Understanding 13.5 Patch Issues and the Future of Tarkov - A Deep Dive

## Introduction
As fervent followers of Escape from Tarkov (EFT), we're all familiar with the immersive, high-stakes environment that the game operates within. Recently, there's been an influx of discussion surrounding the proposed 13.5 Patch with its new developments stirring debate among players. This discourse, coupled with backlash on social media, forms the driving force around our deep dive into the Patch 13.5 issues.

## Endgame Ammo and BP Global Limits
The 762 by 39 BP ammunition has always held significant importance due to its high penetration power, appearing as a go-to ammo type for experienced players. In its current state, the issue lies with the complexity of crafting and extreme scarcity, birthing the question, "Should BP ammo be made readily available on Traders?".

As arguments weave through the pros and cons, we propose two feasible solutions to unlock BP; the first suggesting a detailed and prolonged questline, the second suggesting it be ranked as a high-tier looting item. Each path maintains some level of difficulty in obtaining BP, ensuring it remains a coveted item.

## The Ratting Meta Debate
The gameplay meta has seen a rise in 'rattling' or camping strategies. This positioning playstyle is significantly impacted by the audio mechanics in EFT, with sounds propagating in directions difficult to pinpoint. The ambiguity of situational awareness gives rats an advantage, a divide that the community quarrels on repeatedly.

## Ongoing Discussions About Finding Raid
Recently, the introduction of 'finding raid' has created conflicting perspectives about its necessity. Some argue it fosters an elevated level of realism and commitment to each raid, while others believe it impairs the game's pacing. The new addition undoubtedly alters the dynamics of the game, but whether this effect is positive or negative remains subjective.

## Issues with Global Limits
The introduction of global limits intended to balance the divide between engrossed players and casual gamers. It's evident, however, that the current system isn't perfectly aligned with its goals. Some players are left short-changed due to fluctuating stock levels and faction imbalances. Proposed solutions include individual player limits or dynamic global stocks influenced by overall player activity.

## Addressing Cheating and Real Money Trading (RMT)
Real Money Trading sits at the heart of the EFT economy, inadvertently impacting gameplay. The transformation of cheating methods in line with game rules exacerbates the existing RMT issues, making it increasingly difficult for developers to maintain a fair environment. Several safeguards, such as improved cheat detection or harsher penalties, have been suggested to combat this manipulation.

## Impact of 13.5 Patch on Gameplay
The 13.5 patch drastically altered the gameplay with restrictions on RMT, the removal of fence scav case, and introduced mechanics such as "found in raid". This modification has driven some players towards a 'play scared' mentality rather than a strategic, rewarding playstyle. The balance between thrill and fun appears to be askew in light of recent changes.

## Conclusion
In navigating the maze that is the 13.5 Patch, we are left with a multitude of diverse perspectives and insights. Despite certain setbacks, there are numerous avenues for improvement in Tarkov's future gameplay.

Through this detailed analysis, we hope to provoke continued thoughtful discussion and dialogue around the developments in Tarkov. By evolving together as a community, we can ensure the future of EFT caters to player satisfaction and maintains the authentic, riveting experience that we've all come to love.


Understanding 13.5 Patch Issues and the Future of Tarkov - A Deep Dive

Understanding 13.5 Patch Issues and the Future of Tarkov

# Mastering Movement to Win in Tarkov

## The Importance of Directional Input in Tarkov

In Tarkov, understanding various game controls is crucial. This especially applies to movement. Your keys A and D, for instance, play a specific role in your character's navigation. The A key sidesteps you to the left, while the D key goes to the right. But there's so much more to this than simply moving left or right. 

Let's introduce you to circle strafing. For non-gamers or the uninitiated, circle strafing is a tactical method where you continuously move in directions that make it hard for your opponent to hit you. By making good use of your A and D keys in tandem with your mouse, you can circle around enemies, making yourself a trickier target.

The greatest advantages in Tarkov often come from reactive input rather than premeditated input. Unlike other games, Tarkov’s realism means you often have to respond to unpredictable events, and your ability to react swiftly and adapt your tactics accordingly proves a more reliable strategy.

## The Idea of Sprint-Free Looking

The beauty of Tarkov is its unpredictability, each moment is unique. Imagine this scenario: an enemy is in the room, waiting. You're aware, but how should you approach? A common mistake many players make is using a predictable pattern or rhythm in their movements. This predictability can be exploited.

Instead, a much better tactic is Sprint-Free Looking. Sprint-free looking is the action of rapidly altering your point of view while moving, without actually springing. This maneuver keeps you unpredictable, making it difficult for enemies to anticipate your movements.

However, always remember, while the game allows you for sudden viewpoint changes mid-sprint, it's not always advisable. Unpredictable movements can also confuse you, the player, about enemy placements. To master sprint-free looking, balance is key.

## Right Hand Peek

In the world of Tarkov, the right peek manoeuvre is an absolute game-changer. This concept revolves around using walls or obstacles to limit your exposure while carefully peeking or shooting around the corner. The idea is simple: peek around corners with your body exposed as little as possible to minimise the risk of being shot.

Right-hand peeking works most effectively because of how character models are presented in Tarkov. The camera is centered, but the character model holds weapons to the right, allowing you to expose less of your body when looking around the right side of obstacles. 

## Conclusion

Just like any other game, there’s a learning curve in Tarkov. However, the more detailed understanding of movement mechanics you have, the better your gaming experience will be. From circle strafing to sprint-free looking, every aspect adds a new depth to the game.

Our aim here is to help make your progression in Tarkov as smooth as possible. And with the right application of these techniques, you're well on your way to ruling Tarkov! 

Mastering Directional Input and Sprint Free Looking

# How to Unlock Jaeger Trader in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov features a number of traders that provide weapons, equipment, items, and quests to players. One of the most useful traders is Jaeger, a mysterious ex-spec ops soldier. However, Jaeger doesn't become available right away. You need to complete a special starter quest to unlock him. This guide will explain everything you need to know to get access to Jaeger's inventory and quests.

## Reaching Trader Level 2

The first requirement for unlocking Jaeger is reaching level 2 trader status with Mechanic. 

To level up traders, you need to gain XP by:

- Completing quests for that trader
- Selling items to that trader
- Purchasing items from the trader

However, starting out you likely don't have many quests available yet. An easy way to gain XP is to **examine** items in each trader's inventory. Here's how:

1. Open up a trader's inventory screen
2. Right click on an item
3. Choose 'Examine'

This grants a small amount of XP each time you examine a unique item. Go through all of Mechanic's weapons, gear, and items examining everything. Then do the same for other traders like Prapor, Therapist, and Skier. You don't have to examine Fence's contraband inventory. 

Keep browsing and examining until you gain enough XP to reach Mechanic level 2.

## Accepting the Introduction Quest

Once Mechanic hits level 2, you need to complete one other requirement to unlock the Jaeger quest - finishing Mechanic's **Gunsmith Part 1** quest. This simple quest has you modding an AK rifle and turning it in. 

After you complete Gunsmith Part 1, the **Introduction** quest will become available. To start it, go to Mechanic's quest screen and accept Introduction.

This sets you on the path to unlocking Jaeger.

## Objectives

The Introduction quest tasks you with:

- Finding Jaeger's camp location in Woods
- Obtaining his encrypted message item
- Successfully extracting with the item to complete the quest

## Locating Jaeger's Camp

Jaeger's camp is located near a crashed plane in the southern part of Woods map:

*Jaeger's camp is located near this crashed plane in Woods (Image from Tarkov Tools)*

I recommend using an online map like [Map Genie](https://mapgenie.io/tarkov/maps/woods) to find the exact location. 

When moving through Woods, avoid high traffic areas like the Sawmill and Scav House to reduce the risk of running into hostile players. Instead, navigate around the outer edges of the map.

Listen closely for gunshots in the distance, as they can indicate the presence of other PMCs. Avoid moving towards areas with active gunfire.

## Finding the Message

Near the plane crash site is a small treehouse structure. This is Jaeger's camp. The encrypted message is located **underneath** the treehouse. 

When you approach the message, your character will auto-loot it from the ground. You'll get a "Subtask Complete" notification indicating you've collected the right item.

## Extracting Safely 

With the message secured in your inventory, you now need to successfully extract from the raid. 

Prior to raiding, check which extraction points are available. Certain extracts have requirements or restrictions. 

Avoid using the main extracts like Outskirts, Road to Customs exit, or Factory Gate as they are high traffic areas often camped by players.

Instead look for safer extract options. The UN Roadblock or Cliff Descent extracts are good alternatives depending on your spawn location.

Make your way carefully to the extract you choose, avoiding contact with other players. Don't loot additional items, your goal is to extract safely with the quest item.

Avoid landmine fields marked with warning signs when moving to exfils. 

## Turning In the Message

After successfully extracting with Jaeger's message, return to your stash and open Mechanic's quest screen. Hand over the Encrypted Message. 

Turning in the item completes the Introduction quest and officially unlocks Jaeger as a trader!

## What Next?

With Jaeger unlocked, you now have access to his entire inventory of special ammo, weapons, and equipment. Jaeger also provides a long series of tasks and missions to complete.

The first Jaeger quest is called **Acquaintance**. It tasks you with finding some rare food items on different Tarkov maps:

- Amelias (croutons)
- Beef stew 
- Tarcolas (sodas)

Unlocking Jaeger early on gives you a big advantage thanks to his exclusive inventory items. Follow this guide to complete the Introduction quest and add Jaeger to your trader roster!

How to Unlock Jaeger Trader in Escape from Tarkov

# Optimize Your Keybinds for Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore first-person shooter that requires quick reflexes and precise controls. Optimizing your keybinds is crucial for staying alive and competing against other players. The goal is to keep your fingers on the WASD movement keys and mouse buttons as much as possible. In this guide, I'll share the keybind changes you need to make to improve your Tarkov gameplay.

## Keep Your Fingers on WASD

The default lean keys in Tarkov are Q and E. However, this requires taking your fingers off WASD. Instead, rebind leaning to your mouse side buttons. This frees up Q and E for other uses while allowing fluid movement and aiming. 

For aiming down sights, use right mouse button on continuous press. This enables quick flicking shots without having to repress your aim button. You can combo this with holding breath - set right mouse to press and left alt to continuous. 

## Optimize Your Weapon Swapping

Bind scroll wheel up to changing weapon scopes and scroll down to changing magnification. This makes rapidly toggling optics easy without losing WASD access. 

For switching weapons, use the number keys. I also like having melee weapon on 4 with melee attack as double click 4. This keeps your weapons mapped together on 1-4 while still having quick melee access.

## Fix Jams and Discard Items Fast

One of the most important binds is your discard key. Move this from Delete to Control + Spacebar. This leaves your fingers near WASD and Tab while looting. 

To fix weapon jams, set Check Chamber/Fix Malfunction to Q on continuous. Make Inspect Weapon Q on release. Now you can just hold Q when jammed until inspection is done. 

## Other Recommended Binds 

- Set push to talk to V for easy communication
- Put toggle tactical devices on E to quickly use flashlights 
- Move console off tilde to avoid misclicks while tabbing

With these keybind tweaks, you'll have much better control and reaction times in Tarkov firefights. It takes some adjustment, but try these new binds for yourself and watch your survival rate go up.

Best Keybinds for Escape From Tarkov

# Making the Most of Insurance in Escape From Tarkov

## Introduction

In a hardcore looter shooter like Escape from Tarkov, death comes swiftly and gear losses can feel devastating. Thankfully, the insurance system allows players to recover some of their coveted weapons, armor, and other equipment even after an untimely demise. Insurance acts as a safety net, encouraging veterans and newcomers alike to use their best kits without as much fear.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll cover everything you need to know about insurance in Tarkov including what can be insured, how the system works, strategies for maximizing returns, and ideas for improving insurance. Read on to learn how to leverage insurance to its full potential!

## What Items Can Be Insured?

While not every piece of equipment is eligible for insurance, you can insure a wide variety of gear including:

- Helmets - Models like the Ulach, Fast MT, Airframe, etc. 
- Body Armor - Low tier armors up to class 6 slicks and hex grids.
- Chest Rigs and Plate Carriers - Rigs like the AVS, Blackrock, and armored options too.
- Backpacks - From small slings to large tri-zips and attack 2s.
- Primary Weapons - Wide range of assault rifles, SMGs, snipers, shotguns.
- Secondary Weapons - Handguns like the Five-seveN, P226, Grach, etc.  
- Weapon Attachments - Sights, foregrips, supressors, tactical devices.
- Magazines and Ammo - Mags can be insured but any ammunition inside is lost. 
- Headsets - Models including Sordins, ComTacs, Tactical Sports.

It's easy to identify insured items both in your stash and while in raid. They will display a yellow border highlight and a shield icon when insured. However, any gear you have on your PMC when MIA at raid end is not eligible for returns. A good tip is to dump insured items before extracting high value loot.

## How Does the Insurance Process Work?

Insuring items can be done in two straightforward ways. The first is right-clicking on an item in your stash and selecting “Insure”. This will bring up the insurance screen where you can pick from available traders. 

The other method is through the insurance screen after matching for a raid but before deploying. You can toggle specific items or hit "Insure All" then confirm. One caveat is that insured gear will not come back from Lab raids which require special keycards for access.

When insuring, you can choose between two traders currently - Therapist and Prapor. Each has pros and cons to weigh:

- Prapor - Cheaper but has a 24-36 hour base return timer and only holds for 4 days.
- Therapist - More expensive but returns in 12-24 hours and holds for 6 days.

Consider your budget, playtime frequency, and other factors when picking between them. Also note that upgrading your Hideout's Intelligence Center will speed up return times.

## Insurance Return Times and Collection

Once the return timer counts down after you lose your insured gear, you will receive a notification to check the trader for your recovered belongings. Be sure to collect them within the allotted holding period or your items will be lost for good. 

It's generally wise to insure items with the trader whose timing best matches your own play schedule. For example, if you mostly play evenings on weeknights, the quick turnaround from Therapist will allow you to retrieve your gear faster to re-kit for the next raid session.

## Maximizing Insurance Returns 

Now let's get into some pro tips and strategies for maximizing insurance to its full potential:

- **Insurance Fraud** - Ditch cheaper insured gear to take uninsured loot from dead players. As long as no one finds your stashed gear, it comes back through insurance. Requires planning and map knowledge.

- **Teammate Assistance** - Have teammates stash your valuable guns, armor, etc. if you die. They keep ammo/meds and you get your kit back later. Duos can "trade" gear returns. 

- **Prioritize Low Value Items** - Insure cheaper items like mid-tier helmets and level 3/4 armors that players may ignore when looting. Meta gear likely taken.

- **Consider Weight and Size** - Bulky, heavy items less likely to be extracted by other PMCs. Smaller items like headsets more tempting and lootable.

- **Use Insurance Selectively** - Evaluate each item diligently before insuring. Don't just insure all blindly. Assess recovery odds.

Around a third of all raids end in death or becoming MIA. Proper use of insurance helps mitigate the losses and pain of having your raid end abruptly at the hands of a hostile PMC. Learn to leverage insurance as a tool for sustainable and cost-effective gear.

## Improving Insurance

While extremely useful already, insurance could be improved in some small ways:

- Return time scaling based on item value - The more valuable the item, the longer return time.

- Limits on number of insurances per item until uninsured - Prevents endless insurance exploit.

- More insurance providers to choose from - Adds variety and flexibility. 

- Uninsurable status after very high number of returns - Forces rotating gear eventually.

Insurance is an integral system in Tarkov but has room for some refinements. What changes would you make? Let me know in the comments!

## Conclusion

Insurance helps dampen the punishing nature of Tarkov by giving a chance to recover lost kits even after death. Use it wisely - evaluate each item considered based on real odds of return. Therapist and Prapor each have advantages and disadvantages to weigh. Remember to collect returns within the holding period.

Implement smart strategies like selectively insuring low value items, insurance fraud stash tactics, and relying on teammates for the best results. Avoid throwing endless fortunes insuring ultra rare tier 6 armor and thermals over and over. Insurance promotes gear rotation and experimentation. Use it as the tool it is meant to be.

Escape from Tarkov Insurance Guide

# 💥Escape From Tarkov Grenade  Guide + 13 grenade tips & tricks from Sherpas

*Welcome to the first of many guides on EFT-Ammo! Expect many more guides written about a variety of (advanced) topics about Escape From Tarkov written for newer, returning and even veteran players. Written by Seikosha - BSG Sherpa, competitive player & content creator.*

**Grenades** can be extremely useful and powerful in Tarkov - if used in the right way. Grenades aren't actually meant to *kill* people with (*although throwing an impact nades at someone works just fine*) in most cases - but can be used in a wide range of opportunities to put a fight in your advantage. 

Are you stuck getting grenade kills for Prapor's grenadier? Need advice & tips from an actual BSG sherpa about when and how to use nades? This guides will explain you what grenades there are in Tarkov, how to obtain them & how to use grenades as a weapon but also as a tactical tool!

![enter image description here](https://i.imgur.com/cZSmrmTh.png)

## Explanation of different grenades

There is various Grenades in Escape From Tarkov with different usages & utilization & fuze times. We will list them here from long to short fuse: M67, RGD-5, F1, VOG-17, VOG-25, RGO, RGD. We'll cover how and when to pick what grenade in a bit.

### [Fragmentation grenades](https://escapefromtarkov.fandom.com/wiki/Weapons#Fragmentation_grenades)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/As5c21zkbOowKV7ksXXs67x5JW0xcBPRx1nPa_u4BgnNnMBlZ_WLg19lsGqeosjirEuU7uI3Vf3jZN7xmIALaDZHJYiSzUTFCAbLiTakSPlKWs0X9xl5ZwYmm8ASV9ov2IzWLxa8CWG9nzlDE--8Vrb8PRck0KW4RNU3qTl1TNLEGbS1BSpPjbhQoi-xtg)
Starting with the F1, RGD & M67 these are among the most-used classic grenades in Escape From Tarkov. Especially the F1 and RGD-5 are your classic nades which you probably end up using most of the time. We'll cover the M67 later on in the guide!

![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bPryBUKW1y_hdtTpoB0b3kdVMrjOKlrmnd-oyxHWdgnu7OKoOCcZ26VfFfl0qR6g97LwlT41cbpJx5mK_yPeIyz9woih9PTduQ8kYrh2XCe8nYKRCn9Ryrnc7_WhFgtQmOJ0EJjZE-4_nIlkPmuEUhBS_kuzse0oZ-5uP6X-Mi2QkGyN1BY-_hbHsl2nRA)  
The VOG-17 and VOG-25 are feared by most PMC's as they have a really short fuze thime, making it almost impossible to run away from one of these being thrown at your feet.

![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4V1gDmwQzb2j5bxVrmAMXB1sro-sH-fLQ0gbeXptNinIuGxa9UiIGAylHK1ICXrA7DpnJ85WsHNXchBOr0npr1W_ckGJzBUhJf-_TZj7dUDR6uSynzm8YMNW-p8rAShRiH5PnPqEx2WhupjpKn1sWZqNVRagkZiuonSPgAFwJuC029ei_PLxChZLL7rtgA)
Added in 12.10 - We have a love / hate relationship with impact nades - the RGD and RGO are an offensive anti-personnel fragmentation hand grenades of impact action. These will explode on impact, making it working *very very* well to throw at an opponent or object/wall close to your opponent. 

### [Stun grenades](https://escapefromtarkov.fandom.com/wiki/Weapons#Stun_grenades)![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wLI5t8MDzsl6NPpXisL3Xx3_hrHsSQ5xcUj2OptfcMVDhKoIbuvwDiwWhm7OZ4se0lp4QXQWx4TX1xBNQ54Ra9xFbksQGL0e1azs8ROmqQskH1dnWB4wbzcQkpt6wl9prhYTtrCxpNZvLECNYBWgw9OA3W4dtt7h9EhE-0cm1e8UAkZbxpG5sM_6WeM2Uw)

Stun grenades will concuss and blind your opponent, the blinding time depends on the distance to the flash, type of flash and if the opponent is wearing any blindness protection gear like the Condor Glasses, and if the opponent is looking into the flash. 

*The quest "[The Huntsman Path - Controller](https://escapefromtarkov.fandom.com/wiki/The_Huntsman_Path_-_Controller)" requires you to kill 2 blinded opponents. For this quest you can use both the M7290 grenade and the Zarya to cause the stun effect on your opponent. *I would recommend going Factory while you are doing other quest(s) there at the same, since distance is always close and enemies very often low-geared, so it will be easiest to stun an opponent without dying beforehand.* Alternatively, you can use a KS-23 with flashbang rounds, but these are locked behind a BEAR-faction quest nowadays.*

We will talk about how to use stun grenades to fight A.I. & utilization later!

### [Smokes Grenades](https://escapefromtarkov.fandom.com/wiki/Weapons#Smoke_grenades)

![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p63x51Zo8glOF2ZgdOyqh52fXxvtYEhuIdoJs9iwEJb782p7fjrzkrlzky7daCboRpNU8c_s92H0KHP4t9G1L3iX5qu6lZ_vgIEPJjxch6tCA7hP2rFCzvSOJF96keVM64NzPGf4L-MdL8leIfgjUvLC9ZPjIazl02K2NSxJ6g34G2tFmMsEM32CJRN-iA)

Smoke nades function exactly as you think, you can smoke an area, you can use it to block off sight from opponents or throw it on an airdrop to prevent people shooting you in the head when looking. Currently, you cannot use thermal sights like the FLIR or REAP-IR to look through smoke from smoke grenades. 

Currently smoke grenades are not commonly used, hopefully we can see smoke nades more being used in the arena.

## How to obtain grenades in Tarkov?

There's a few way to obtain grenades in tarkov:

 - Buy from Traders
 - Buy from the Fleamarket
 - Barter trades
 - Craft in hideout
 - Loot grenade container
 - Find on dead A.I. (boss guards, raiders, rogues) in *pocket* slot

### Buy from Traders

Different trades sell different grenades. The most important grenades that are being sold in quantity by traders are:

 - Prapor LL2 | F-1 Grenade - 4 per reset 
 - Prapor LL3 | RGD-5 grenade - 3 per reset
 - Peacekeeper LL | M67 Grenades - 10 per reset | *after completing his task* *[Spa Tour Part 2](https://escapefromtarkov.fandom.com/wiki/Spa_Tour_-_Part_2)*

### Buy from Fleamarket
All grenades can be FIR and sold on the flea market - but watch out, very often they are quite expensive. I recommend to stock up on 4 RGD-5 and F1 grenades from Prapor to make sure you always have plenty of grenades.

### Barter Trade
There's a few really good barters for grenades, and some grenades cannot be bought but only bartered.
![enter image description here](https://i.imgur.com/mvJwmId.png)

### Craft in hideout 
There's **2 crafts** that you can do in the hideout, one for 8x **VOG-25** at workbench level 1 and one for 6x **RGD-5** at workbench level 3. They are not cheap, and therefor it is not recommend *(better crafts to do at your workbench)* but if you really want to stack up some VOG-25's, you can.
![enter image description here](https://i.imgur.com/Z4J8htS.png)
###  Loot grenade container in-raid
You can find the grenade container on pretty much every map in Escape From Tarkov, and they hold potentially every type of grenade and related barter materials *(TP-200, UZRGM grenade Fuze, 40mm VOG 25)*.

### Find on dead A.I.
A.I. In Tarkov will hold grenades in their pocket slots. Random scavs might hold one grenade, smoke grenades or flashbangs in their pockets. Mainly rogues, raiders, boss & boss guards will hold 1 to 2 grenades in their pocket slot. It is worth checking!

# Damage from grenades
Grenades work quite interesting in Tarkov - Every grenade has a **explosion radius** with a **minimum and maximum radius**, we can call that the impact area. In this area you will most certainly, definitely die.

When a grenade explodes it **fragments** and the amount of damage dealt by each fragment and the amount of fragments differentiate per nade. 

**Shrapnel of nades** then act like bullets shooting all around and can even deflect. Each fragment also has it’s own ballistics stats, just like any other bullet, such as fragment chance, projectile speed, damage, pen power, armor damage, and light and heavy bleed chances.

![enter image description here](https://i.imgur.com/qg9Umjk.png)

## Utilization of Grenades

### As a weapon

Use case that most people think of when using nades is to kill someone with it. When you know where someone (in cover) is, for example in a room or behind a rock, you throw a nade on them to kill them with it.

That's definitely not the only use, there are many ways you can utilize nades to your advantage.

### Movement
Nades can perfectly be used as utilization to move the fight into your advantage. Let’s say you are stuck in cover or a room yourself, you can throw a nade out towards or even in the area you want to be “clear”, since most likely the opponent will have to move or reposition, and you can use that time to move and reposition yourself into a better angle.

On the opposite, let’s say the opponent is stuck and you want the opponent to move, you can throw a nade to flush them out and have them reposition, which gives you the opportunity to shoot them when they are moving.  

### Push with a nade
Throwing a nade not on the opponent, but in an area you want to push in to is a great way to move closer and in a better position, let’s say someone is holding an angle down the hallway, you can throw a nade there to make them unpeek or move just enough and then push straight after the nade to gain the upper hand. The M67 even allows for really smart plays since its long fuze time, so you can throw a nade and push over it since the opponent will not know its a m67 and can give you the drop on them when you unexpectedly push through. 

### As Noise / Distraction
A lot of people will react to a nade being thrown anyway, even if they are in cover or the nade is not close. This is a perfect distraction to peek and hold an angle (as they will have to repeek after) or even move during the nade utilizing the sound of the nade so that the opponent cannot hear what you are doing. It’s great to pull a flank too without them knowing instantly what you are going to do.

### Against A.I. / Killa / Boss / Raiders / Rogues
You can use nades or even flashbangs to flush out or gain information against A.I., so if you hear movement or are not sure if there is a.i., you can throw a nade and how a.i. reacts to that as normally they will reposition and this can give you information or even make them run into your angle. A.I. can also shoot randomly. 

Ex-sherpa Perrence shows a perfect example here.

Flashbangs are great for information, cheap and quiet, and can be used to check if a boss is in a certain area, popular for people hunting killa as an example. 

*If you are going for stylish one - killa hunters use a flashbang to gather information on wheter scav(s) are in a certain position. Normally, they flashbang idea cafe / kitchen, oli between the shelves and near goshan elevator / medical tents.*

### How much grenades to bring? 
This is a preference and depends on your playstyle, if you PvP alot you will see that you use more grenades compared to if you're questing and/or PvE more. 

I normally **bring 2 to 4 grenades** a raid. But you should be using nades, in order for that many to be useful. Try to bring atleast **one grenade** for fights. If you picked up a thing or two from this guide and start using nades more, soon you won't be bringing less then 4 grenades anymore!

---

### 12 Tips & Tricks about grenades from 3 Tarkov BSG Sherpa's

-   You **can bounce nades** of walls to throw them while in cover or reach areas you can’t otherwise get to. Being in a nade animation makes you vulnerable as you can't shoot back, make sure you always nade from cover.

-   The **best way to dodge nades** - depending on cover you will want to get either out of the nade radius, or get cover between you and where the grenade will land. Normally your head dies first (least amount of HP) so get your head as far away as possible from the nade.

-   Do **not go prone in open areas**, as this will make you a very likely target for a grenade. Check this clip from Reflix66 as a great example how not to.

-   When you are **using nades as a solo**, you can get pushed easily when you are too close to your opponent. make sure there is enough distance or cover to throw the nade and not get pushed when the enemy hears the telltale click of the pin being pulled. When you are in a team, one PMC can throw the nade and the other can hold the angle to counter a potential push. 

-   Try **a fake nade to bait** your opponent in pushing you - A lot of players will react or even push you when you take out a nade since it makes a distinctive sound: You can pull the nade back and draw out your gun to counter this Turbo

-   On the other hand, when you are close to an opponent and you hear the grenade pull, depending on the distance you can use that time to push since it takes time to either put back the nade and pull out your gun and they will have to throw the nade differently or random.  

-   **Strength impacts the throw distance** but it also depends on **type of grenade**, so weight on the nade impacts the distance you can throw them along with the nade. This is another cool use of the M67 since you can throw it really far. *Throwing a grenade also levels your strength, so throwing a couple flashbangs at the beginning of raid does level your strength a bit.*

-   You can also **underhand grenade throw** for a shorter distance, the most common example is if you want to throw a nade just over a wall and the opponent is on the other side, so you underhand throw it to just get over the wall.

-   You can also throw **nades up in the air high** so that the blast will be in the air and give then a nice little airbust and they will not be able to respond on where the nade will land since of the air travel time, also DO watch out and try not to toss a nade directly overhead and they WILL fall back onto your head since nades are lethal, also to yourself ;-)

-   **Grenades WILL roll** quite a distance so be aware of that when you see a nade, sometimes it rolls much farther than you expect. That's why in some situations, throwing a nade high as suggestion in our previous tip *could* be better

-   Watch out with **nading out in the open**, if you don’t have your gun op you can be a very easy target for an opponent to shoot you, try to nade as much as possible out of cover.

- You can **dodge a flash** by turning away from it if you can't run in cover.

And that's it for our guide on how to use grenades in Escape From Tarkov! 

If you prefer to watch and listen you can check out our youtube podcast below. If you have any questions, feel free to come by my twitch stream and ask any questions you have!

#### About the writer

![enter image description here](https://i.imgur.com/RwWZZL9.png)

*Escape From Tarkov Grenade Guide + 13 tips and tricks from Sherpas*

*Author(s): Seikosha_TV, TurboBear & Ledge*

*Resources: Tarkov Wiki, SherpaHub & Veritas*

### Sherpa Sundays Podcast: Everything about Grenades with Seikosha_TV, TheTurboBear & Ledge_TV

Escape From Tarkov Grenade Guide + 13 grenade tips & tricks from Sherpas

# A Guide to All the Secure Containers in Escape From Tarkov

Escape From Tarkov is a hardcore FPS survival game where you take raids into maps to find loot and fight other players. One of the key mechanics is secure containers - special cases that allow you to keep any items stored in them even if you die and lose everything else. The different editions of EFT give you access to containers of various sizes at the start, and there are ways to upgrade them as you progress. In this post, I'll go over how to acquire every secure container available so you can keep more of your hard-earned loot after each raid!

## The Basics of Secure Containers

Secure containers are basically personal safes that ride along with you into a raid. You can store items, money, keys, anything in them during the raid. If you find rare loot but then get killed by another player or AI, you'll still have whatever you stashed in your secure case when you get back to your stash. This allows you to minimize losses and steadily build up wealth. Without a secure container, dying could mean losing everything you brought in. Their size and storage capacity is therefore incredibly important. 

The different editions of Escape From Tarkov grant you access to secure containers of various sizes right away. You can also obtain bigger and better containers by progressing through trader quests and levels. Having a large secure container to keep valuables in can save you millions of roubles over time, so upgrading is one of the most important goals.

## Starting Secure Containers 

The Standard Edition of EFT includes the 2x2 Alpha container by default. This can hold 4 slots worth of items. If you ever lose the Alpha, you can purchase a replacement from Peacekeeper for around 8,000 USD.

Upgrading to the Prepare for Escape edition or above gives you the 2x3 Beta container instead. This provides 2 additional slots for a total of 6. It's a great upgrade from the starter Alpha. 

## Obtaining the Epsilon Case

While you can pay to buy a Beta container after upgrading to level 2 Peacekeeper, a better option is completing the Punisher questline. This long 6-part quest rewards you with the Epsilon secure container, which is 2x4 slots - only 1 less than the Gamma!

Completing the Punisher quests can be very difficult, but also very rewarding in XP and loot. If you're willing to take on the challenge, the Epsilon case is well worth it over buying a Beta case for 1.1 million rubles. Use your funds to buy gear to help finish Punisher instead.

## The Elusive Gamma Container

The 3x3 Gamma secure container is a true beast - providing 9 total slots. The downside is that it's only obtainable by purchasing the Edge of Darkness limited edition of Escape From Tarkov. There is no other way to get this container in-game. 

If you have a Standard or Prepare edition, getting the Epsilon case from Punisher rewards is your best bet until you can afford to upgrade to Edge of Darkness. The Gamma container will serve you well for the rest of your EFT career.

## Endgame Upgrade - Kappa Case

For the truly dedicated, the ultimate secure container is the Kappa. This massive 4x3 case provides 12 whole slots for your most precious raid loot. However, acquiring this prize is no easy feat.

You must reach the staggering level of 62 and complete almost every quest available to unlock the Collector quest from Fence. This final quest asks you to turn in every special streamer item in the game, of which there are now over 15. 

As you can imagine, getting the Kappa case requires hundreds if not thousands of hours of playtime to achieve. But if you love Escape From Tarkov, this prestigious and useful secure container can give you something to steadily work towards.

## Other Containers

There is one other secure container in EFT - the 2x2 Waist Pouch. However, this can only be obtained rarely through the Scav Case hideout upgrade. It used to be available long ago but was removed, making it more of a novelty item.

The developers have teased adding more secure containers in the future as well. For now though, your main goals will be the Alpha, Beta, Epsilon, Gamma, and Kappa - each progressively bigger and harder to acquire.

## Get a Better Secure Container and Protect Your Loot

Hopefully this overview gives you some ideas on how to get the best secure container you can in Escape From Tarkov. Taking the time to complete the Punisher questline for the Epsilon case will pay off big time. And upgrading to Edge of Darkness for the Gamma is worth considering if you plan to play EFT long-term.

Stashing your most valuable or rare finds during a raid can save you millions in the long run when you die to an enemy you didn't see. And having more space in your secure case gives you more flexibility in what you take into raids.

A detailed guide on acquiring all the secure containers in EFT like the Gamma and Kappa. Learn how to keep more loot after dying by upgrading your secure case size.

How To Get Every Secure Container in Escape From Tarkov

# The True Minimum PC Requirements for Smooth 1080p Gameplay in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov (EFT) is an incredibly demanding first-person shooter with hardcore survival elements. The game is notorious for requiring powerful hardware, especially for smooth multiplayer online raids. However, EFT's official minimum system requirements suggest even entry-level dual core CPUs and basic GPUs are sufficient. After extensive testing, I found the real-world requirements to be far more demanding. 

In this detailed blog post, I'll share my methodology and results to reveal the true minimum and recommended PC specs for stable 1080p EFT gameplay. Whether you're looking to build a new system or upgrade an existing one, this guide will help you select components to run Tarkov well.

## Testing Methodology and Goals

My goal was to find the minimum hardware needed for a relatively smooth 60 FPS experience at 1080p resolution in EFT. To do this, I conducted thorough benchmarking using multiple test setups and configurations. 

First, I assembled a budget system meeting the official minimum requirements as a baseline:

- Intel Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition CPU overclocked to 4.6GHz
- 12GB DDR3 RAM at 1333MHz 
- AMD Radeon R9 380X 4GB graphics card
- 240GB SATA SSD

I loaded into online multiplayer Factory raids and recorded performance data. Unfortunately, this budget build averaged just 42 FPS with frequent lag spikes and crashes. It became immediately obvious the posted minimum specs are completely inadequate for playable performance.

Next, I put together a new test bench focused on finding the true minimum requirements:

- AMD Ryzen 3100 CPU overclocked to 4.2GHz
- 16GB DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz
- Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti 6GB graphics card
- 500GB NVMe SSD
- 550W 80+ Bronze PSU
- B550 motherboard with full BIOS tweaking capabilities

I tested this system on the more demanding Streets of Tarkov map. I recorded FPS, frame time data, and monitored RAM usage during each raid. My methodology consisted of:

- Running 30+ raids at each of 3 RAM configurations: 16GB non-XMP, 16GB with XMP, and 32GB with XMP
- Using 1x optics and identical graphics settings (1080p, lowest quality) for consistency 
- Repeating the same optimal benchmark loop focusing on high demand areas
- Restarting the game after every raid to minimize memory leak issues
- Tracking average FPS and 1% lows to quantify playability and stuttering

This extensive testing allowed me to accurately determine the minimum and recommended specifications for smooth 1080p EFT gameplay.

## Detailed Benchmark Results and Analysis 

Now let's dive into the detailed results from my streeting testing and how they reveal the true PC requirements for Tarkov.

**16GB Non-XMP Configuration**

With RAM running at the default 2133MHz speed, the system averaged just 42.6 FPS. The 1% lows were an abysmal 20.9 FPS. This hits the "playable" 30 FPS mark for minimum specs, but frequent stuttering makes for a poor experience.

**16GB XMP Configuration** 

Enabling the XMP profile to run the RAM at its rated speed of 3200MHz provided a nice boost. The average FPS rose to 52.1 and the 1% lows hit 25 FPS. However, drops below 30 FPS meant stuttering and lag spikes still occurred regularly.

**32GB XMP Configuration**

This final test determined the true minimum playable specs. With 32GB of 3200MHz RAM, the average FPS hit 56.4 and, crucially, the 1% lows measured 35 FPS. This keeps frame rates within the variable refresh rate range of most monitors, allowing for smooth gameplay.

The key insight was memory usage - EFT constantly consumes over 16GB of RAM. With only 16GB installed, it thrashes the page file, causing massive slow downs. 32GB keeps EFT's working set in memory for consistent performance.

## True Minimum Requirements for 1080p at Medium Settings

Based on these test results, I can conclusively determine rough minimum requirements for smooth 1080p gameplay in Escape from Tarkov:

**CPU:** AMD Ryzen 3100 or Intel 6th generation or newer 4-core/4-thread CPU overclocked to at least 4.4GHz. For Intel, an overclocked 6600K or 7600K is ideal. The CPU must maintain high boost clocks under load.

**RAM:** 16GB of DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz or faster. Enable XMP in the BIOS. Also have a page file set on an SSD. 

**GPU:** An AMD RX 580 8GB or Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB. Aim for 4GB+ of VRAM from the R9 290 generation or newer. MIP streaming helps with VRAM utilization.

**Storage:** An SSD of any type. NVMe offers no real benefit over SATA for EFT.

**Motherboard:** A solid B550 or Z390/Z490 board with full RAM overclocking capabilities via XMP.

## Recommended Specs for High Refresh Rate 1080p

To move beyond 60FPS and take advantage of high refresh rate monitors, these are the recommended specs:

**CPU:** AMD Ryzen 5/7 series or Intel 6-core chip like the i5-9600K. Must overclock to 4.4+ GHz.

**RAM:** 32GB of low latency DDR4-3200 memory or better. 3600MHz offers a nice boost.

**GPU:** AMD RX 5600 XT or Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti. Mid-range cards with 8GB+ VRAM.

**Storage:** 1TB NVMe SSD for fast load times. SATA SSDs work fine otherwise.

**Motherboard:** X570 or Z490/Z590 for CPU and RAM overclocking headroom.

This level of hardware allows for a very smooth 75Hz+ gaming experience in EFT at 1080p with most settings at medium or high levels.

## Conclusion 

Escape from Tarkov's scary hardware requirements are no joke. While the posted minimum specs are misleading, my detailed testing reveals the true PC parts needed to run EFT well. Focus on CPU power, RAM speed, and ample VRAM. I hope this in-depth benchmarking has demystified what it takes to build a solid 1080p EFT gaming rig!

The True Minimum PC Requirements for Smooth 1080p Gameplay in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov System Requirements

# The Ultimate Escape from Tarkov Guide for New Players

Escape from Tarkov is an intense and complex first-person shooter with survival horror elements. With its steep learning curve, Tarkov can be an overwhelming experience for new players. This comprehensive guide aims to teach newcomers everything they need to know to get started and find their footing in Tarkov’s cutthroat world. 

## Choosing Your Faction

The first decision you’ll make is choosing between the BEAR or USEC factions. This determines your starting gear, clothing options, and a minor gameplay impact on the Lighthouse map. 

BEAR players have a harder time dealing with the Rogue AI forces on Lighthouse. Other than that, differences are minimal and come down to aesthetic preference. Pick the side that you like the look and sound of more. Just note your faction choice is permanent until a full wipe!

## Learning the Inventory System

Your stash inventory has tabs for checking overall stats, medical status, skills progress, tasks, and the main gear screen. Pay attention to your weight in the bottom left, as going over 35 kg will encumber you. 

Keep an eye on the hydration and energy meters. Run them dry and you’ll start taking constant health damage! Make sure to eat, drink, and take meds as needed.

## Assembling Your Loadout

Success and survival in Tarkov comes down to two equipment factors - your armor and your ammo. Higher caliber ammo has increased penetration, letting it pierce higher class armor.

Wear the most protective armor you can afford and equip ammo that can penetrate class 4 or 5 armor. Aim for headshots when possible, as they bypass armor entirely! 

Some beginner loadout examples:

- SKS rifle with PS 7.62x39 ammo and PACA armor 
- MP5 submachine gun with FMJ 9x19 ammo and 6B3TM armored rig
- VPO-136 shotgun with 12ga buckshot and SSH-68 helmet

## Mastering Medical Treatment  

Tarkov features a complex medical system. Each body part has individual HP and injuries impair your abilities. Losing a leg prevents sprinting, while losing an arm hurts aim.

Blacked out limbs spread damage to other body parts. Prioritize surgically fixing them with medical kits. Bandages stop light and heavy bleeds. Splints mend fractures. 

Manage your med supplies efficiently. Inspect kits to learn the number of uses and plan accordingly. With good medicine skills, you’ll survive far longer!

## Progressing Through Traders and Tasks

Buy, sell, and complete quests for the various traders to increase your reputation and unlock better gear. Get all traders to maximum loyalty for big discounts!

Prapor and Therapist are good starters since they sell basic firearms, meds, and armor. Peacekeeper offers weapon mods and higher tier ammo. 

Sell items only to the trader that pays top dollar for them. Check the flea market value if unsure what something’s worth.

## Upgrading the Hideout 

The Hideout is an instanced area where you can build facilities to unlock bonuses:

- Bigger stash size to hold more loot
- Med station for crafting health items
- Shooting range for weapon testing
- Bitcoin farm to generate valuable BTC

Prioritize upgrades that improve quality of life, like stash size. Come back to optimize profit later.

## PMC Raids vs Scav Runs

PMC raids are played with your persistent character and main loot. Death results in losing all non-secured gear. 

Scavs let you spawn into ongoing raids with random gear to loot leftover items. Killing other scavs is penalized, while cooperating is rewarded.

Try alternating PMC and scav runs. Use PMC for quests and fighting. Scav to make money and take a break from risking gear.

## Increasing Vital Skills 

Level Strength and Endurance first for increased movement speed and quicker stamina recovery. This affects almost all combat and mobility.

Scale other skills naturally through normal play. Don't obsessively grind them, as there are diminishing returns preventing power leveling.

## Extracting From Raids

Check a map guide to learn all possible extraction points before entering a raid. Locate the extractions so you don't get cornered when trying to exfiltrate. 

Escape From Tarkov doesn't display extraction locations in-game. Have the Tarkov maps open on a second monitor or tablet.

## Avoiding Elite Enemies

Scav bosses, Raiders, and Rogues are deadly AI foes with superior firepower and aimbot accuracy. Avoid or approach with caution. 

Utilize tactics like holding tight angles where only your head is exposed or sniping from long range cover. These enemies are no joke!

## Making Money in Tarkov

Looting valuable items and selling them on the flea market is the key to making bank. Focus on maps like Lighthouse and Streets that are dense with tech spawns and rare loot.

Small items like gold chains and bitcoin make more money than guns and armor from killed players. Learn what sells well and prioritize the most profitable items.

With these tips, you now have the fundamental knowledge to thrive as a new Tarkov player. Patience and practice will soon turn you into a seasoned scav hunter. Gear up, load in, and try not to let the post-raid stress get to you. Good luck out there!

The Ultimate Escape from Tarkov Guide for New Players

Escape from Tarkov Beginner Guide

# Escape From Tarkov: A Key Tier List for Loot Rooms

Keys in Escape From Tarkov can make or break a successful raid. Accessing certain locked rooms can unveil treasures like high-tier armor, meta weapon builds, and the most valuable items in the game. That's why having the right keys for the best loot rooms is so critical. 

## Customs Map: Dorms Building Keys

The 3-story dorms building on Customs is a hotspot for PVP action, but also contains some of the most valuable keys for the map. Let's start with the safe room keys: **105, 110, 114, 214, 204**, and **Director's Office**. These all provide access to safes that can contain loot like diaries, veritas guitar picks, cash, and other valuables like Bitcoin and rollers. It's highly recommended to carry these keys in a keytool or sick case. Bring a docs case as well to quickly transfer your safe loot for extracting. Safes can also spawn quest items needed for missions like Private Clinic.

A couple other Customs keys deserve a spot in your SICC case. **104** opens up a 2-jacket room, useful for finding keys and quest items like the Customs office documents. **206** can be skipped since you can jump through the windows, but provides nominal filing cabinet and duffel bag loot. **Factory Key** mainly provides an exit to Factory shortcut, without amazing loot spawns beyond one cabinet. 

Now onto the 3-story dorm rooms. Many of these can spawn rare keycards which sell for millions of rubles, along with decent weapon crates and loot spawns. The notable ones are:

- **314** - Can spawn any keycard plus has guaranteed medical supplies like salewas. 
- **Director's Office** - As mentioned, great all-around key with a safe, quest item, 3 PCs, and intel spawns. 
- **218, 221, 222** - Identical rooms that can spawn sought-after keycards like red or violet along with decent weapon crates and loose loot.
- **220** - Quest key for finding Corrupted Memory Drive with 2 weapon crates and medical supplies.

Make sure to get all of these into your SICC case to maximize your dorms runs. Hit all the rooms even after wiping the lobby to collect PVP loot. The high scav population means you can drop off gear and keep looting to hit the best rooms. 

## Shoreline Resort Keys

While Shoreline has some safe keys, they aren't nearly as essential as on Customs. Let's jump right into the best Shoreline Resort keys.

**112 East wing** and **104 West wing** can spawn very rare blue keycards, making them very worthwhile. They don't have other spawns beyond quest items and a safe. **203/205 West wing** provides access to the same room with potential red keycard spawns along with weapon crates and medical supplies. **301 West wing** is arguably S-tier, with LedX spawns, loose medical loot, computers for graphics cards, and overall great density.

For the East wing, the pantry-style **306** room and **310** at the end are your top choices, with **110** also having consistent LedX spawns on the ground. Don't sleep on the **Hex** key either, with 3 weapn crates and an intelligence folder spawn. Check every floor and the roof for rare keycard spawns. 

Prioritize keys for the main resort building to find the best that Shoreline has to offer. The north and south wings contain some medical supplies and weapon crates, but far less value than the main wings. Villas like the one opened by Sanitar's house key have also been nerfed over time. 

## ZB-014 and ZB-016 on Woods

Woods only has a couple stand-out keys, but they provide both loot and extraction value. 

**ZB-014** is needed for a Jaeger quest, frequently spawns 60-round AK mags, and opens up a bunker extract. This well-rounded utility makes it a must-have Woods key. 

**ZB-016 "Stash"** provides access to an underground bunker that can rarely contain extremely valuable loot like red keycards, weapon cases, and high-tier armor. It's always worth hitting after taking out Shturman, but know when to extract versus getting third partied.

## KIBA Store and Extract Keys on Interchange

Interchange is all about the KIBA firearms store. This high-traffic area requires both the **KSM** backdoor key and **KIBA** front door key, but is 100% worth the investment. You'll frequently find top-tier attachments, guns like meta M4s and HK416s, grenade cases, and other loot to easily profit over 1 million roubles per raid.

The other key category are the extract keys. **11SR** is arguably S-tier, providing the safest extract on the map plus weapons crates and rare loot spawns like Bitcoin and graphics cards. **21WS** requires power but opens a room with military tech spawns, attachments, and class 5 armor. 

Don't ignore the extract keys on Interchange. For example, 11SR can pay for itself in 10 uses if you loot it systematically after extracting. 21WS is a nice side stop if you're already doing a stashes run and power is on. Use these keys to make money on the way to extracting.

## Bunker Keys on Reserve  

Reserve has keys with dynamic value due to quest requirements, but the current S-tier keys are the bunker keys. **PS81**, **PS82**, **PSP1**, and **PSP2** open rooms full of tech loot like VPX cards and essential quest items like flash drives. There are also highly buffed supply crates full of fuel cans, food, and other valuables. With the right Tri-Zip or Blackjack backpack, you can extract a small fortune from the bunkers.

The marked room and RB-SMP keys are extremely inflated right now due to quests, but the actual loot is mediocre. Focus on the bunker keys for consistent Reserve money runs.

## Lab Keycards and Weapons Testing Room 

Labs keys have the highest individual value, but are also highly dynamic based on loot table balances. At the moment, the best bang for your buck comes from the **Weapons Testing** room key. For just 40-50K rubles, you can access loot like Bitcoin, Tetriz, intelligence folders, Virtex, and other tech spawns. It's an S-tier room for the price point.

Make sure to research the current highest value keycards like Violet, Black, or Yellow and invest if you plan on playing Labs. You can make 10X returns on a good card. Just don't waste money on lackluster keys like Blue or Red at the moment unless you need them for a quest. Their time will come again once loot balances change.

## Lighthouse Villa Keys 

The newest map Lighthouse has two stand-out villa keys: **House** and **Marin**. These provide access to locked rooms and stashes with loot including Bitcoin, RFID, prokill medallions, military tech, and other high-tier items. They are fantastic long term investments if found early for around 3 million roubles.

The convenience store key also provides stable food and drink spawns if you're struggling on Lighthouse. Check the community center as well for Intel spawns up on the desk. 

## Conclusion

Getting access to the best loot rooms in Escape from Tarkov requires the right keys. Now that you know which keys provide the highest value on each map, put together your "A-team" key set to take on your raids. Customize based on your map priorities and favorite loot runs. The S-tier keys discussed in this post will help you earn millions of rubles and the best gear that Tarkov has to offer. Happy looting and get those SICC cases packed!

Learn which keys provide access to the highest tier loot rooms in Escape From Tarkov. Includes ranked key lists and strategies for each map's best keys.

Escape From Tarkov: The Ultimate Key Guide for Loot Rooms

# Optimizing Your Keybinds for Survival in Escape From Tarkov 

Escape From Tarkov throws players into a brutal battlefield where split-second reaction times mean the difference between extracting with loot or having your run cut violently short. Mastering the controls through optimal keybinds is just as important as combat skill and map knowledge when trying to survive in Tarkov. 

## The Hidden Dangers of Default Keybinds

Tarkov's default keybinds seem functional, but hide some serious issues that can get you killed in combat situations:

**Inspecting/Fixing Weapon Malfunctions**

By default, you must press "L" to inspect your weapon when a malfunction occurs, then "Shift+T" to clear the jam. This forces you to take your hand off your mouse during the process, preventing you from moving properly. In a firefight, those wasted seconds of being a stationary target can mean certain death.

**Using Medical Items** 

Med bindings also suffer from poor defaults. Whether stopping a heavy bleed or popping painkillers, you have to take your fingers off your movement keys to hit a number keybind. This loss of movement is extremely risky during active combat when you may need to dodge, take cover, or quickly reposition.

**Reloading** 

Reloading seems straightforward with "R", but the default adds an unnecessary delay by waiting to see if you double tap to emergency reload. This extra split second you spend waiting for the animation can leave you helpless.

**Changing Fire Mode**

The default fire mode switch with "B" seems fine until you try to rapidly toggle between semi-auto and full-auto. An added double click delay results in failed presses, locking you into the wrong fire mode.

## Keybind Fixes for Optimal Control 

Luckily, there are some simple keybind adjustments that make a massive difference in handling and response time:

**Inspect and Fix Malfunctions**

Bind both actions to the same key like "L" - one set to press and one set to release. Hold the key during inspect animations, then release when prompted to fix. This lets you keep your mouse hand active while clearing jams.

**Med Usage** 

Double bind medical items to the same number key, with one set to press and another to release. For example, bind a tourniquet and bandage to "4". Hold to apply the tourniquet, release to use the bandage. You can now heal without sacrificing movement.

**Reloading**

Bind reload to "R" as normal, and emergency reload solely to "Shift+R". This removes the default double tap delay so reloads happen instantly.

**Fire Mode Switching** 

Completely unbind the default fire mode switches. Then simply bind semi-auto and full-auto separately to keys like "B" and "N". You can now rapidly toggle with no delay.

**Scope Zeroing**

Replace the slow default Page Up/Down binds with "Alt + Mouse Wheel" for zeroing. You can quickly adjust to any range while aiming down sights.

## Conclusion

Learning Tarkov's intricacies is daunting for new players, but optimizing your keybinds removes frustrating default limitations. Combined with practice and experience, these simple re-bindings give you tighter control and faster reaction time. Faster fixes for malfunctions, instant med application while moving, and rapid fire mode switching could easily save your life. Master the controls, and you'll be far deadlier in firefights.


Escape from Tarkov Controls

# Boost Your FPS in Escape from Tarkov: The Ultimate Optimization Guide

Escape from Tarkov is an incredibly immersive and realistic first-person shooter, but it's also notoriously demanding on hardware. With so many detailed maps and complex game mechanics, getting smooth FPS in EFT can be a challenge, especially for lower-end PCs. 

In this ultimate optimization guide, I'll provide tips to help boost your frames per second (FPS) and overall performance in Escape from Tarkov. Whether you're struggling with stutters or simply want to maximize FPS, these tweaks will help you get the most out of your system.

## Optimize the EFT Launcher

The first place to start is directly within the Escape from Tarkov launcher. Here are some quick optimizations to implement:

- Clear your cache regularly - This prevents a bloated cache from bogging things down. Try clearing it once per day before launching the game.

- Delete log files - Old log files eat up disk space unnecessarily. Unless you need them for bug reports, delete all logs occasionally.

- Exit launcher when launching game - This frees up extra resources, especially helpful for low-end PCs. Enable the "Exit launcher completely" option. 

- Disable fullscreen optimizations and override high DPI scaling for the EFT executable - This often improves performance and compatibility. 

## Free Up RAM with Empty Standby List

One handy utility for freeing up precious RAM is Empty Standby List. This clears out your standby memory, which is RAM reserved by Windows just in case it might be needed. 

Download Empty Standby List and set it to automatically run every 5 minutes. This keeps your standby RAM usage minimal, providing more memory for EFT to utilize. For RAM-starved systems, it can significantly improve performance and reduce stuttering.

## Enable XMP in Your BIOS

Make sure your RAM is running at its rated speeds. Check in Task Manager and if the speed is lower than expected, XMP is likely disabled in your BIOS. 

Enabling XMP profiles boosts your RAM to its advertised speeds, which can provide a nice performance uplift, especially in RAM-hungry games like EFT.

## Prioritize EFT with Process Lasso

The free utility Process Lasso gives you more control over how system resources are allocated to apps and games. For EFT, set the CPU priority to High and the I/O priority to High for improved performance. 

You can also enable the Performance mode in Process Lasso for smoother overall gameplay. Just be wary of potential conflicts with other high priority programs like game capture software.

## Increase Your Page File Size 

Low on RAM? Try expanding your page file size to supplement it with hard drive space. Set a custom size of 36GB or higher if you have the free space on your drives. 

This "virtual memory" helps prevent out-of-memory issues which can significantly reduce stutters. It's an easy trick for systems limited to 16GB of RAM or less.

## Tune Nvidia Control Panel Settings

For Nvidia users, optimizing the Control Panel settings for Escape from Tarkov can further enhance performance:

- Power management mode: Prefer maximum performance
- Texture filtering - Quality: High performance
- Texture filtering - Anisotropic sample optimization: On
- Vertical sync: Off

## Tweak In-Game Graphics Settings 

Now let's dive into EFT's graphics settings menu, where you'll find many options to balance visual fidelity and frames per second. 

- Texture Quality: Dropping this to Medium can boost FPS substantially in certain maps like Streets with minimal visual impact.

- Shadows: Set to Low for a small but helpful performance boost. Distant shadows aren't as noticeable.

- Object LOD: Lower values like 2 or 2.5 can gain significant FPS with little loss in quality.

- Overall Visibility: Keep this under 1000 - higher values impact performance severely with little benefit.

- HBAO: Can be a heavy effect, try disabling if FPS suffers.

- SSR: Screen space reflections look great but tank performance. Disable if needed.

- Nvidia DLSS / AMD FSR: Essential for high FPS with minimal artifacts. Start with Quality preset.

For even more frames, lower PostFX options like sharpness and ambient occlusion. Just watch out for excessive visual degradation. Strike a balance that works for your system.

## Conclusion

With these optimizations, tweaks, and recommended settings, you should see noticeable gains in your Escape from Tarkov framerate and overall gameplay smoothness. The more limited your hardware, the more of an impact these tips will have. Experiment to find that perfect balance for your PC.

Good luck out there in Tarkov!

Boost Your FPS in Escape From Tarkov: The Ultimate Optimization Guide

# Optimal Graphics Settings for Escape from Tarkov 13.5 Patch

The recent 13.5 patch for Escape from Tarkov reset all graphics settings for players. This can be extremely frustrating as you'll need to meticulously reconfigure each setting again to get the best performance and visual fidelity. In this in-depth post, I'll guide you through optimizing your Tarkov graphics for the best possible gameplay experience on 13.5.

## Choosing the Right Texture Quality

Texture quality has a massive impact on game performance and visuals. This setting controls how detailed and sharp textures appear on in-game assets like clothing, terrain, weapons, etc.

Setting texture quality too high can cripple frame rates, while too low makes the game look overly blurry and washed out. The ideal texture quality comes down to your graphics card's VRAM capacity.

Monitor your VRAM usage in-game or with a system monitor tool like MSI Afterburner. Ensure you do not max out your VRAM capacity, as this leads to stuttering. Some examples:

- 8GB VRAM cards - Set textures to Medium quality and aim for 6-7GB VRAM usage for smooth 60+ FPS
- 12GB RTX cards - High settings are warranted here for vivid textures without VRAM issues
- 16GB+ VRAM cards - Crank textures up to Ultra for jaw-dropping detail

Whenever you change texture settings, restart Tarkov completely so the changes apply properly. Do minor tweaks and monitor VRAM until you find the highest settings your card can handle.

## Graphics Settings for Competitive Edge

Besides texture quality, various other graphics settings impact your ability to spot enemies accurately and gain a competitive edge:

- **Shadow Quality** - Keep this on Low. The visual improvement from High/Ultra is minimal and not worth the performance hit.
- **Object LOD** - Between 2-2.5 is ideal. Higher values add unnecessary detail.
- **Overall Visibility** - For heavy maps like Lighthouse and Streets, 400-1000 meters prevents objects popping in abruptly within firing range. On lighter maps, you can increase this.
- **Post FX** - Disable Chromatic Aberration and Noise for maximum visual clarity without artifacts.
- **Anti-Aliasing** - Try SMAA and FXAA for anti-aliasing as they have minimal performance impact.
- **Resampling** - Avoid upscaling and stay at your native monitor resolution.
- **Nvidia Reflex** - Keep OFF for now as it can drastically lower FPS between maps.
- **Anisotropic Filtering** - Off for better frames since the visual benefit is negligible.
- **Sharpness** - Personal preference, but avoid over-sharpening which strains the eyes.

These competitive settings maximize visibility while removing distracting effects that can obstruct enemy players.

## Optimizing Immersion and Realism

For those who care more about immersion than competition, here are some settings that improve realism and atmosphere:

- **SSR** - Screen Space Reflections create more realistic water/glass reflections but hurt FPS. Use the Low setting only.
- **Ambient Occlusion** - Adds enhanced contact shadows around objects. Try Medium AO for the best balance.
- **Scenery Visibility** - Crank this up to 10km+ to see distant scenery, but beware of the performance hit.
- **Grass Shadows** - Having grass cast shadows adds to the atmosphere, but also lowers FPS. Enable sparingly.
- **DLSS/FSR** - Quality or Balanced mode adds sharpness without a big performance cost.

Tweak these settings gradually to find your ideal realism vs. performance balance. Avoid maxing every option out.

## New Body Part Healing System

The 13.5 patch also adds the ability to heal specific body parts instead of your entire health pool. To use this:

1. Bind your healing items to "On Release" instead of "On Press" in the controls menu
2. After pressing the heal hotkey, scroll mouse wheel to select a body part before releasing to heal only that part.

With this system you can triage healing much more efficiently during battle, prioritizing the most damaged limbs first. Remember to tweak that binding!

## Closing Thoughts

Optimizing Tarkov's expansive graphics settings takes time and testing. This guide covers the most vital settings to improve performance and gameplay for the 13.5 patch. Happy raids!


Optimal Graphics Settings for Escape from Tarkov 13.5 Patch

Optimal Graphics Settings

# Demystifying Extractions in Escape from Tarkov 

Escape from Tarkov's hardcore mechanics and steep learning curve scare away many newcomers. Yet one of the first skills aspiring PMCs must master is learning the extraction points strewn across Tarkov's war-torn landscape. Failure to exfiltrate before your MIA status expires means losing all hard-earned loot and progress from that run. 

This guide will delve deep into the ins and outs of extraction mechanics so you can focus on surviving firefights and securing phat lewtz.

## The Basics: Get to Extraction Before Time Expires

The most basic premise in EFT is simple: when you spawn into a raid, a timer starts counting down. You must reach one of the designated extraction points before that timer hits zero, otherwise you will lose everything and retain only what you shoved up your Secure Container. 

The timer varies based on map, but generally lasts between 30-60 minutes. That may seem generous for smaller maps like Factory, but crossing expansive locales like Woods or Shoreline can quickly eat up the clock if you don't plan ahead.

Open your in-game map with the O key to view the raid timer and your available extractions. I suggest printing out maps from Map Genie or the EFT Wiki until you have a strong spatial memory of exits. We'll cover extraction types momentarily.

## Scavs Play By Different Rules

While this guide focuses on PMC extractions, Scavs have their own unique extracts separate from PMCs. Sometimes they overlap, sometimes not. 

Learn the possible Scav exfiltration points just as thoroughly - nothing hurts worse than assumed an exit was universal only to find it locked as a dirty Scav. Some helpful tricks include looking for the green flares marking active Scav extractions and memorizing extractions unique to each faction.

## Guaranteed vs Potential: Know Your Extraction Types

There are two major categories of extractions in EFT: guaranteed and potential. 

**Guaranteed extractions** will always be present and usable every raid. Once you enter the zone, your PMC will begin the extraction animation and conclude the raid. These serve as reliable, fixed exit points.

**Potential extractions** may or may not be active depending on unknown factors. Sometimes they show green smoke when available, other times you won't know until arriving at their location. Some potential exfils require money, keys, or other conditions to activate. 

Learn which extraction belongs to which category through repeated experience. Don't assume because an extraction worked once that it's guaranteed forever - that will eventually burn you.

## Extraction Tactics - When to Extract vs When to Stay

Extricating early nets you a smaller chance at loot, but guarantees you retain what you found. Pushing to the end risks losing everything, but maximizes potential earnings. 

Some tactical factors to consider when planning your extraction include:

- Extract immediately if carrying rare loot - no use risking losing a LEDX or similar highly coveted item
- If low on ammo/healing, extract to retain what you have
- If severely injured with no meds, exfil and live to raid another day
- With 10 minutes left, strongly consider moving to the nearest extraction 
- With abundant time left, consider checking for active potential extractions or looting en route to guaranteed exits

Learn when to be bold and when to extract safely. Greed kills many PMCs annually!

## Maps - Your Key to Extraction Mastery 

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of studying maps to learn extraction points. Burn maps from Map Genie, the Wiki, and community resources into your mind. Seriously, print them out!

Why is this so critical? Because map knowledge enables you to:

- Plan a safe initial extraction route away from hot zones
- Change up your extraction on the fly based on combat or loot found
- Never nervously consult maps when low on time - you'll know where to go
- Feel immersed and spatially aware instead of relying on maps mid-raid
- Get your bearings instantly when spawning in unfamiliar areas

It may feel like a chore, but nothing will boost your extraction expertise and survivability faster than grinding maps. Make it a goal to learn a new map every day or two - with 12+ maps in rotation, before long you'll be a navigation expert.

## Labs - Future Extraction Mechanics Showcased

Labs remains the only map not following the classic extraction rules. Rather than fixed extraction zones, every single Labs exit requires completing some secondary objective first. 

You may need to turn on power, swipe a keycard, flip a switch, or meet other conditions before extracting. Some exits are further limited by backpack size, so ditch that Pilgrim bag if you want to live!

This added complexity provides a glimpse into the future of extractions in Tarkov. The developers want to make exiting more immersive and tie it into primary raid objectives. Expect new maps to continually raise the bar and force adaptive thinking regarding extractions.

For now, be absolutely sure you understand Labs' many exits before risking its high-stakes environment. 

## Conclusion - Master Extraction, Master Tarkov

Extracting in Escape from Tarkov demands you balance greed and caution. But armed with extraction point knowledge, you can weight those risks appropriately and exfiltrate like a pro. Study your maps, learn the mechanics, and outsmart your enemies by vanishing into thin air after a long and lucrative raid.

Now get out there, avoid those extract campers, and escape with the best loot Tarkov has to offer! Just don't forget to check your corners...

Demystifying Extractions in Escape from Tarkov

# A Comprehensive Guide to the Escape from Tarkov Medical System

Escape from Tarkov features one of the most complex and realistic FPS medical systems ever created. At first, it can seem totally overwhelming trying to make sense of the different damage types, injuries, and medical items. 

In this comprehensive guide, I'll explain everything you need to know about the Tarkov health and medical systems. You'll learn how to monitor your PMC's condition, triage injuries, and use items like surgery kits and stimulants effectively. With this knowledge, you'll drastically boost your survival rate in even the most brutal Tarkov raids.

## Monitoring Your Health Status

The first step to survival is closely monitoring your health status. In the upper left of the screen, you'll see icons representing your head, chest, and limbs. Here's what to look for:

- **Limb color** - The color indicates how much HP that body part has left. Black is 0 HP.

- **Bleeding icon** - A blood drop means you have a bleed injury on that limb.

- **Fracture icon** - The cracked bone symbol means the limb is fractured.

- **Painkiller icon** - Pills mean you've taken pain medication.

- **Head/chest damage** - These turn red when damaged, and turn black at 85 and 35 damage respectively. 

You can also monitor pain, hydration, blood loss, contusion, and other effects on the overall health panel, located in your inventory screen.

### Damage Types

There are a few key types of damage to understand:

- **Blunt damage** - Caused by bullets or blows to armor. Can break bones.

- **Penetrating damage** - Caused by bullets piercing unarmored limbs. Causes heavy bleeds.

- **Burn damage** - Caused by fire or hot surfaces. 

- **Toxin damage** - Caused by gas, poison, or radiation.

## Treating Light Bleeds

Light bleeds are indicated by a small blood drop icon on a limb. They drain your health slowly over time. To stop a light bleed:

- Use a **bandage** or **AI-2 medkit**. Bandages are single use, while AI-2s can treat multiple bleeds.

- **Salewa** and more advanced medkits will also treat light bleeds.

- You can pack bandages in your pockets or rig for quick access.

If left unchecked, multiple minor bleeds can quickly drain your health! Stop them promptly.

## Stopping Heavy Bleeds

Heavy bleeds show as a large blood drop icon and drain health very rapidly. To stop them:

- Apply a **tourniquet** like the CAT or Torniquete. Most are reusable.

- Use a **hemostat** like the Zakhar or Hemostat applicator. Disposable but takes less time to apply.

- The **Salewa, IFAK,** and **Grizzly** can also stop heavy bleeds.

- Pack a tourniquet and hemostat in your pockets or rig for emergencies.

Heavy bleeds will kill you extremely fast! Stop them first before anything else.

## Fixing Fractures 

Fractures occur when blunt damage breaks a bone in a limb. The effects are:

- Reduced turning and movement speed

- Accuracy penalties when aiming

- Increased weapon sway

- Increased recoil

Fractures are shown with a cracked bone icon on the affected limb. To fix fractures:

- Use a **splint** like the Alu Splint. Splints are single use.

- The **Salewa, IFAK, Grizzly,** and **Surv12** kits will also splint fractures.

Fractures severely hinder combat effectiveness. Fix them promptly after stopping bleeds.

## Managing Pain

When damaged, your PMC will start experiencing pain effects:

- Blurred vision

- Tremors 

- Reduced consciousness  

- Movement and aim penalties

Pain is shown by your screen blurring. Reduce pain by taking **painkillers** like Ibuprofen or Morphine. But don't overuse them, as they dehydrate and drain energy.

Advanced stimulants like M.U.L.E. and Propital also contain strong painkillers. Use them sparingly due to cost and addiction risk. 

## Restoring Lost Limb HP

When you take damage, your limbs will change color indicating reduced HP. Black limbs are at 0 HP.

Heal limb HP using: 

- **Bandages** - Small HP restore

- **AI-2/Car/Salewa medkits** - Single use kits that restore HP

- **IFAK and Grizzly** - Multi-use limb HP restoration

- **CMS surgery kit** - Disposable surgical kit for restoring blacked limbs

- **Surv12 field surgery kit** - Multi-use kit for restoring blacked limbs 

Prioritize healing your head and chest first, as these cause instant death when depleted. Always move damaged limbs out of black status.

## Using Surgical Kits

When a limb reaches 0 HP, it becomes "blacked out" and unusable. Surgery kits are required to restore a blacked limb:

- **CMS** - Cheap, disposable 1-use kit. Restores 10 HP per use.

- **Surv12** - Multi-use. Restores 40 HP per use. 

Surgery takes time, so find secure cover first. Painkillers help ignore damage while operating. Bring a CMS in your container for emergencies.

## Recommended Loadouts

Here are some recommended medical loadouts based on your experience level:

**Entry Level:**

- Salewa 
- Painkillers
- Bandage
- Tourniquet

**Intermediate:** 

- IFAK
- Salewa
- Splint 
- Painkillers
- Hemostat

**Advanced:**

- Grizzly or Surv12
- Propital 
- M.U.L.E.
- Hemostat
- CMS Kit

Adjust your loadout based on the gear you can afford to run. But never skimp on meds - they will save your life!

## Final Tips

With this knowledge, you're ready to tackle Tarkov's infamous medical system:

- Monitor limb and bleed status closely. 

- Stop heavy bleeds first, then fractures.

- Manage pain only when necessary.

- Restore lost HP after addressing major issues.

- Use Surv12/CMS kits for blacked limbs.

- Pack meds in your pockets, rig, and secure container.

And those are the essentials of not dying in Tarkov! Study item stats and experiment to find what works best for you. Proper medical gear and skill will greatly increase your survival rate. Get out there, avoid bullets, and good luck!

Learn everything you need to know about Escape from Tarkov's complex health and medical systems. This complete guide covers damage types, injuries, medical items, and tips to boost your survival rate.

Master Tarkov's Medical System: The Complete Guide to Not Dying

# The Most Valuable Loot to Grab in Escape from Tarkov 

Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore tactical first-person shooter renowned for its in-depth inventory and loot management. With endless guns and gear across sprawling maps, knowing what to pick up and what to leave behind is key to extracting with valuable loadouts. In this extensive guide, I'll teach you to identify the most lucrative loot so you can maximize profits during raids as both PMC and Scav.

## Follow These Overarching Rules of Thumb

While memorizing the value of Tarkov's thousands of items is impossible, following these general rules will lead you to valuable loot:

**Prioritize military loot** - Any item with “military” in the name is almost guaranteed to be worth grabbing. This includes military cables, military battery, military COFDM wireless signal transmitter, and more. They vendor for good money and are often needed for hideout upgrades.

**Check safes and cash registers** - Safes and cash registers contain some of the most sought-after loot in Tarkov. Hit these whenever you have keys or see them unopened for items like cash, bitcoin, roler watches, and rare barter items. 

**Loot food items for Jaeger** - Certain food items are valuable solely due to Jaeger barters that require them in bulk. For example, herring, tarcola, and squash all sell for around 15,000 roubles each. 

**Grab every condensed milk** - Condensed milk is essentially free money, vending to Therapist for 15,000 roubles while only taking up 1 inventory slot. You should loot every condensed milk you see.

But not all valuable loot is obvious at a glance. Let’s dive into the commonly overlooked items that you should go out of your way to grab.

## Loot These Overlooked Items Other Players Ignore

Once you’ve loaded up on the obvious military loot and safe goodies, keep an eye out for these less conspicuous yet valuable items:

**Red handle pliers** - Needed for various weapon and hideout barters, these vendor for 17-18k each and sell for even more on the flea market depending on demand. Grab pliers whenever you find them.

**Energy saving light bulbs** - Also called “Lampy”, these bulbs are required for hideout upgrades and sell for 15-18k each to Therapist. Brightly glowing easy money.

**Partial fuel tanks** - Did another PMC beat you to that fuel spawn? Even if a metal fuel can is already open, you can sell empty ones to Therapist for a solid 35-40k roubles.  

**Printed circuit boards** - While cheap now, these spike dramatically when needed en masse for hideout areas like the bitcoin farm. Stock up when the prices dip.

**Used AFAK medical kits** - No one likes a half-used first aid kit. But Therapist will still pay you ~17k for AFAKs even at low durability, so they're always worth taking.

**Laser sights** - The LA-5B civilian PEQ-15 laser sight sells for 50-100k roubles due to its use in Gunsmith quests.  

**Round frame glasses/masks** - As part of armor barters from Ragman, these sell for 10-15k consistently so you should never vendor them.

**5.56x45mm 855A1 ammo** - One of the most common rounds, but still sells for 500-800 roubles per bullet due to mid-tier stats. 

**.45 ACP AP 6.3 ammo** - The match grade FMJ ammo for .45 pistols sells surprisingly well at 500-700 per bullet.

**9x18mm SP7 and PBM ammo** - Top tier ammo for Kedr SMGs, these sell for 500-800 each making them valuable.

**7.62x39mm US ammo** - Rare due to trader lockout, this ammo sells for ~800 roubles per bullet if you find it in raid.

Many players either don’t check for these items or assume they aren’t worth much. But taking them over other junk can earn you hundreds of thousands of extra roubles per raid.

## Avoid These Low Value Items Not Worth Your Time

Now that you know what to loot, you also need to know what to leave behind. To avoid backpack bloat, don’t bother picking up:

**Low end chest rigs** - Aside from the armored 6B3TM-01, most basic chest rigs only sell to Ragman for 10-20k which isn’t worth a full backpack slot.  

**Common tools** - Drills, wrenches, toolsets, and more. These were once valuable but now only sell for 10-15k unless found in raid for a quest.

**Hoses and metal cutting scissors** - Former hideout items that now vendor for less than 10k per 3-slot item. Let these gather dust.

**Plastic folding stocks** - Although needed for a couple barters, these cheap stocks only sell for around 10k each to Mechanic. 

Once your bag is full, dropping these virtually worthless items to make room for more condensed milk and circuit boards will maximize your profit.

## Conclusion - Extract Like a Pro

As you learn the maps and develop your loot radar, you’ll be able to instantly gauge which items are worth grabbing and which aren’t worth your time. Keep this guide in mind during your raids to help identify overlooked valuables and avoid pointless junk. Soon you’ll be extracting like a pro with backpacks full of loot worth hundreds of thousands of roubles more than the average player. 

Master looting in Escape From Tarkov with this extensive guide. Learn what the most valuable items are to grab and common junk to avoid when raiding. Extract like a pro!

The Ultimate Loot Guide for Escape From Tarkov

Escape From Tarkov's incredibly immersive gameplay centers around gritty, high-stakes raids in search of loot and gear. But away from the frontlines, players can construct an expansive hideout HQ to bolster their efforts. This complex hideout system features many upgradeable modules that provide bonuses, allow crafting, and even generate passive income. 

However, getting the most out of your investment requires dedicated focus on leveling up two key hideout skills: Crafting and Hideout Management. In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down how to power level these skills to maximize your hideout potential.

# The Value of the Crafting Skill

The Crafting skill should be top priority for any Tarkov player serious about their hideout. Each level reduces the time required to craft items across all installed modules by 0.75%, compounding up to a whopping 37.5% reduction at the maximum level of 51! This adds up to huge time savings, especially when crafting lucrative cases or high value items in modules like the Intelligence Center.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Upon hitting level 51, you’ll also unlock the ability to simultaneously craft 2 items at once in the Workbench, Lavatory, Nutrition Unit, Medical Station, and Intelligence Center modules. This effectively doubles your crafting productivity and money-making potential.

# How to Level Up Crafting Quickly

So how can you level up Crafting as fast as possible to reap these rewards? Here’s what you need to know:

- You earn 1 Crafting skill point for every 8 hours of combined crafting time across all installed modules. This cumulative crafting duration is key, so keeping queues filled will optimize progress.

- Importantly, you also get bonus skill points each time you complete a crafting cycle in a module if it was a unique item. For example, alternating between circuit boards and magnets in the Workbench module. 

The meta strategy that emerges is to repeatedly cycle the fastest crafts you have available that are still profitable. Losing money slows overall progress. Balancing craft speed and profitability is ideal.

## The Best Crafting Options for Each Module

Here are effective crafting options to level up fast in each module:

**Workbench:** Printed circuit boards and power cords are quick and profitable. 

**Lavatory:** Cycle army bandages, gas masks, and ripstop/scav vests for speed.

**Long Offline:** Ammo, cases, and bitcoins are slower but earn more over time.

**Nutrition Unit:** Sugars and slickers bars are fast and make steady money.

**Med Station:** AI-2 medkits and piles of meds strike the right balance. 

**Intelligence Center:** Focused on intel folders and USB drives for profit.

Mixing in longer and shorter crafts based on your play schedule is advised. And don’t forget to reset before leaving for a raid so progress ticks even while looting!

# Reducing Costs With Hideout Management

The Hideout Management skill tree reduces the fuel and filter consumption of your various modules. Each level decreases usage by 0.5%, up to a maximum of 25% reduction at level 50. This directly translates into saving buckets of roubles on fuel.

It also provides across-the-board bonuses to all modules by increasing their effects by 1% per skill level, up to 50% stronger at the maximum. Everything from Intelligence Center quest rewards to healing bonuses from the Rest Space become more powerful.

# How to Increase Hideout Management

Progressing Hideout Management requires:

- Upgrading modules (8 points each)

- Completing crafting cycles (0.4 points per) 

- Expending fuel and filter durability (0.1 points per 10 used)

Thus, you should be religious about keeping your generators fueled, filters replaced, and crafting modules active at all times. Letting anything sit idle will drastically slow skill progress. Installing the maximum number of modules your hideout supports will also help.

And as mentioned for Crafting, always double check your crafting queue before leaving for a raid to capitalize on every skill point. Patience and persistence will be rewarded.

# Parting Tips on the Path to Hideout Mastery 

- Find money-making crafts you enjoy and stick with them. Consistency compounds progress.

- Use raids not only for loot but also to train complementary skills like Perception by searching everything. 

- Monitor the prices of crafted items, fuel, and filters so you’re always operating at peak profitability.

With meticulous care and optimization, you’ll have your Tarkov hideout’s Crafting and Management skills maxed out before you know it. Become a hideout master and get the most from one of Escape from Tarkov’s most interesting and dynamic features. Just don’t spend so much time crafting that you forget to raid!

Tarkov Hideout Management

# Tarkov Sniping Tips

Landing a one-tap headshot with a bolt action rifle is one of the most satisfying feelings in Escape from Tarkov. The precision, timing, and confidence required to consistently hit these gratifying shots is what separates the elite snipers from the rest. In this post, we’ll explore the key tactics and gear needed to become an aggressively lethal sniper in Tarkov.

## Introduction

Many wish they had the raw aiming ability and nerve to play as aggressively as the top Tarkov snipers. But the truth is, with the right gameplay fundamentals, anyone can hit crisp shots and pop heads like a pro. This isn’t based on luck or reflexes, but proper positioning, equipment selection, and core sniping tactics modeled on real-world principles. 

Join me as I share what I’ve learned on how to effectively push fights and maneuver as a sniper, while still emphasizing stealth and precision. You’ll see that aggression in Tarkov doesn’t always mean running directly at enemies, but rather finding the optimal balance between positioning safely and remaining a constant danger to your foes. Let’s begin.

## Gear and Equipment 

First, you don’t need the fanciest meta weapons and gear to excel as a sniper in Tarkov. A basic Mosin infantry rifle or VPO-215 setup costing around only 20K roubles with decent ammunition is plenty sufficient. The keys are picking a reliable bolt action, loading it with quality rounds, and using a fixed power optic.

For scopes, I recommend a fixed 2.5x optic like the BelOMO PK-06. Compared to variable zoom scopes, fixed power options provide quicker target acquisition in close and medium range engagements. The added versatility means you can aggressively push fights when needed, without being limited to longer ranges. This saved me crucial seconds when fast target switching and follow up shots were required.

The ability to quickly sight in on heads and fire is far more important than magnification for an aggressive play style. Don’t write off fixed power scopes before trying them extensively yourself. They may transform your sniping.

## Core Sniping Tactics

Now, let’s get into the three core gameplay tactics that will elevate your sniping to the next level:

### Stop, Look, Listen

This fundamental principle from real-world sniping applies directly to Tarkov. When approaching any new area, make it a habit to stop and fully survey the scene first. Listen for audio cues that can reveal enemy movements and positions. Take occasional “sales breaks” when moving to hear what’s around you. Clearing areas hastily will get you killed. Never rush in blindly.

### Fire from Concealment  

Only take shots from covered positions when you can avoid it. Firing through vegetation, shadows, windows and other concealment means you control engagements. Remaining unseen also enables repositioning to confuse enemies. The more exceptions you make to this rule, the worse off you’ll be. Patience from concealment truly pays off.

### Speed in the Open

When you must traverse open areas, quickly move from cover point to cover point. Never crawl across large open spaces! This allows enemies easy shots on you. Sprint until you can take concealment again. For example, rapidly reposition by sprinting over open train tracks or roads when compromised. 

## Employing Tactics: Match Examples

To demonstrate these principles in action, I’ll summarize two full raids where I focused on integrating fundamental sniper tactics into aggressive gameplay:

On Woods, patience and firing from concealed spots consistently rewarded me with kills. Stopping to listen prevented stumbling into enemies at Emercom camp. At the Sawmill, I crept into bushes for a hidden angle to ambush targets crossing the road. 

On Customs, sprinting quickly across streets helped me safely relocate when pinned down. At Dorms, I halted to listen for clues before investigating gunshots further. Taking concealed positions atop hills granted sightlines to catch enemies off guard as they looted.

In both matches, adhering to the core concepts of stopping to gather intel, shooting from cover, and repositioning rapidly allowed me to aggressively control the map and get the drop on other players.

## Additional Aggressive Sniping Tips

To supplement the key basics, here are some additional tips that enabled my aggressive sniper play:

- Don’t camp bodies. Be ready to reposition quickly after kills so enemies can’t pin you down. Keep them guessing.

- Bring a suppressed pistol as a backup weapon. This enables quiet flanking and escapes when compromised. A pistol is better than going full potato.

- Play the objective. Don’t just sit still for minutes hardscoping. Be annoying and keep pressure on the enemy. You can be aggressive while being smart.

## Conclusion

With the right aim fundamentals, gear selection, and tactical knowledge, any Tarkov player can adopt an aggressive, lethal sniping playstyle. Positioning intelligently is more important than raw reflexes. By integrating the core concepts like stopping to gather information, firing from concealment, and relocating rapidly, you’ll find yourself hitting more satisfying one taps than ever before.

Try implementing these real-world sniping principles during your next raid. Patience, concealment, and quick movement when applied properly will take your sniping ability to the next level. See you in Tarkov!

Escape From Tarkov - Wiki (WIP)