FAQ: I don't have much time to Play. Can I still have fun in EFT?

Escape from Tarkov is an extremely complex game that is difficult to fully master. As explained in more detail in the EFT Tutorial I published here on The Tarkov Central, even just getting started requires some prior knowledge of the game mechanics, maps, and other aspects—things that, if you don’t learn, will prevent you from being successful.

Once you’ve done that, you can start going on raids. However, keep in mind that many experienced players often say (and I agree) that the first 500–1000 hours of EFT are basically the game’s tutorial. In other words, with that amount of time, you will likely learn how to handle combat reasonably well, become familiar with at least some of the maps, gain a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics, and figure out what you want to do—and how you want to do it—whether in terms of playstyle or overall goals in Tarkov.

All of this is to say that EFT requires a certain level of time and commitment; it is not a casual game that you can just boot up for a quick 30-minute session and then forget about until your next chance to play.

This is also because EFT requires preparation before a raid, such as gearing up your character and managing your loot (selling, organizing your stash), on top of the raid itself, which typically lasts 20–30 minutes.

That said, if you’re truly committed, interested in this type of game, and willing to take on the challenge, I believe you can still enjoy EFT even if you have limited time to play. I say this because I also don’t have endless hours to spend on the game and can’t keep up with the players who “no-life” it all day.

Of course, this also depends on how quickly you learn, your general FPS skills, and how well you navigate maps.

For example, I recently read about someone who only plays on weekends (though likely for several hours) and still managed to achieve great results.

It’s clear that if you can only dedicate a few hours per week to EFT, becoming unbeatable will be difficult. However, keep in mind that this is a game with virtually infinite replayability—there is always a reason to go on a raid, whether it’s to complete a quest, find a necessary item, explore, or hunt down other players in PVP.

Some players have thousands of hours in the game, with a few exceeding 10,000 hours.

And they’re not crazy—it’s just that EFT offers a truly unique experience that no other game can replicate (and some have been playing it for over eight years).

Combat

When it comes to fighting other players, many believe that having limited playtime makes it impossible to compete against those who grind the game for hours every day. After all, they have better gear, weapons, and ammo.

While it’s true that frequent players have that advantage, Tarkov is also a game where knowledge, cunning, and patience matter just as much.

You can acquire game knowledge, map awareness, and strategic “tricks” even if you only play a few hours a week. It will take longer, but it’s achievable.

Cunning and patience, on the other hand, have nothing to do with playtime and can make a massive difference in EFT.

The only remaining factor is raw in-game skill. Naturally, those who practice daily for hours will have superior mechanics, but by accumulating playtime, you can still reach a good level and remain competitive.

And when you manage to take down high-level, well-equipped enemies while being less experienced and under-equipped yourself, the satisfaction is indescribable.

PVE

Of course, there’s always the PVE option. While still being quite challenging, especially for newcomers, this is a more relaxed version of the game, as AI enemies are generally more predictable than real players, making them easier to defeat.

Additionally, there are no wipes in PVE, so you can progress at your own pace without any rush.

PVE is also a great way to learn and improve before diving into PVP combat.

To read more about PVE and how it compares to PVP, check out this chapter of the tutorial on The Tarkov Central.

EFT Tutorial

If you don’t have much time to play but still want to learn efficiently, minimize frustration, and see results faster, I strongly recommend reading and following the EFT Tutorial I prepared. I’m not the God of Tarkov, but I’ve used my experience in EFT—along with the methods I personally used to learn—to create a structured approach to raiding.

This tutorial will help you avoid the mistakes I made and skip much of the trial-and-error phase that I had to go through. Check it out!