This is a question I often see asked because many players worry about starting Escape from Tarkov when a wipe is already underway, knowing that those who started earlier will be better equipped and have an advantage, or because they are afraid that they won't have any chance to beat the more experienced players they will encounter.
The truth is that any time is a good time to start playing EFT because the learning phase is long, and in the beginning, it won’t make much difference whether you're at the start, middle, or end of a wipe—you’ll get killed many times, and not because others are ahead or have better gear.
Of course, at the start of a wipe, the gear situation is more balanced among players, but that won’t be your main problem. Your challenge will be not knowing the maps, how to move, where to find loot, and so on.
So the answer is always: yes, it’s a great time to start playing EFT because your first wipe will always serve as a learning phase (and like most players, you'll probably need more than one).
Take it slow, study the EFT Tutorial I’ve prepared for you, which is packed with useful information and an effective learning method that will save you time and frustration.
You’ll need patience and resilience because the beginning will be tough, but if you push through the initial struggles, I promise you’ll soon get rewarded (though the frustrations will continue—Tarkov is a place for tough men and women!).
Encountering experienced players
EFT doesn’t have a matchmaking system, meaning players of all levels and experience will share the same maps (with the only exception being Ground Zero—read more about it here). This can be quite punishing for newcomers, making for a frustrating experience at times. However, it's also a feature appreciated by enthusiasts of this genre of "hardcore" games.
In short, you will die a lot—but you’ll also learn a lot from encounters with experienced players. Fortunately, it's always possible to team up with more seasoned players. Many veterans are happy to help inexperienced "Timmies" and teach them the tricks needed to survive.
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