Halloween Event 2024 Info & Suggestions [UPDATED 6.11.24]
- Nov 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 20
The Halloween event in Escape from Tarkov is back, bringing a series of new challenges and a chilling presence of zombies across almost every map. This year’s event consists of several tasks, with two new ones released each day. If you want to survive this undead wave and earn valuable rewards, keep reading for a complete guide on the tasks, survival strategies, and tips to help you make the most of this event.
Event Tasks and Objectives
The event includes a series of quests to complete for progression and special rewards:
10 quests if you choose the path through Therapist
11 quests if you choose the path through Jaeger
You can check all the quests and the 2 different paths by starting with the first one Don't Believe Your Eyes on the EFT Wiki and using the links to check the next in line.
The Jaeger path is a bit more complicated and expensive.
Achievements and Rewards
Players can earn one of two achievements: Fatal Outcome for completing the questline through Therapist and Complete Remission for completing it through Jaeger.
True Completionists who want to earn both achievements on a single account can do it by resetting their profile after the first completion and replay the event through the alternate questline.
If you are one of them, it's best to do the Jager path first because it's the most complicated and expensive. The Therapist path is shorter, less complicated and less expensive and it's easier to do that one with a freshly reset account.
Dynamic Zombie Infection
The zombie infection isn't constant across all maps. However, this status is dynamic; a map that has been cleansed can become re-infected, leading to the reappearance of zombies. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, regularly check the official Escape from Tarkov website.
Survival and Immunity: Managing Zombie Infection
Zombies inflict an infection that quickly drain your hydration. Luckily, certain injectors can help:
Best Weapons and Ammo Against Zombies
Zombies lack armor, making high flesh-damage ammo especially effective.
Some players prefer SMGs, others shotguns, and some favor high-caliber weapons.
Personally, I prefer high-caliber options like the SA-58 with 7.62x51mm Ultra Nosler ammo, as it easily achieves one-shot kills—especially with headshots.
I found SMGs less effective than high calibers. Shotguns are powerful and fitting, but unless you have the largest magazines, frequent reloading becomes an issue. Plus, the price of high-capacity shotgun magazines has surged on the flea market since the event started.
The drawback of high flesh-damage ammo is its limited effectiveness against armored PMCs and bosses, often requiring leg shots for quicker kills. Alternatively, you could invest in high-penetration rounds, but this risks significant financial loss—as zombies will inevitably take you down more times than you’d like.
General Survival Strategies
Elevated Safety: Standing on top of objects can provide a temporary safe zone from zombies, as they usually struggle with pathfinding to reach elevated spots and they seem to be unable to jump or vault. By positioning yourself on sturdy surfaces like tables, vehicles, or containers, you can buy time to reload, heal, or regroup. However, remember that staying on elevated spots too long can make you an easy target for other players or zombies capable of ranged attack. Always stay alert and be prepared to move if the situation changes.
Safe Zones: Locked or unlockable rooms are safe from zombies, as they can’t seem to enter areas that are locked at the start of the raid. If you have the key or know how to access these areas, they provide a secure place to rest, heal, and reload.
The only known exception is the Med Tent extraction room, where zombies have occasionally been found already inside—likely due to direct spawning.
Ammo Management: Bring a large supply of ammunition and fully loaded mags, as zombie raids can demand hundreds of rounds. Some players even carry two of the same weapon to counteract wear from intense use and avoid potential malfunctions.
Endurance-Boosting Injectors: o boost stamina capacity and regeneration, helping you outrun pursuing zombies, consider using injectors like the SJ6 TGLabs combat stimulant. This injector enables longer sprints and quicker recovery—giving you a critical advantage when evading zombies or moving swiftly between tasks.
Armored Protection: Pistol-wielding zombies are particularly dangerous, often aiming for the neck and throat. Armor that protects these areas is essential for surviving their shots.
Loot and New Areas
During the Halloween event, you can find pumpkin-shaped containers that can only be opened back at your hideout. These pumpkins hold random, rare, and valuable items like Power Filters, Virtex and Graphics Cards.
In addition to that, the recent patch in Escape from Tarkov introduced two new areas which initially featured an incredible abundance of rare loot.
A few hours after the Halloween event started, the loot distribution has been rebalanced, resulting in a decrease in the availability of high-value items. However, these locations continue to offer substantial rewards for players willing to explore them.
Laboratory Expansion: It’s located in the southwest area of the first floor. Below is a segment of a Labs map from the EFT Wiki page, with the approximate location marked (map by Monkimonkimonk).
Woods Bunker: It's located between the Bridge Car Extract and the Sunken Village. The bunker has already been added to the updated Woods maps available on the EFT Wiki page. Below is a section of one of these maps showing the exact location (map by Jinduoz).
Final Thoughts: Love It or Hate It?
The event has created mixed opinions among players. Some enjoy the novelty of the PvE element, while others find the zombie invasion too disruptive. However, this addition provides a break from Tarkov’s usual PvP encounters and adds variety for survival enthusiasts.
If you’re enjoying this event, be sure to prepare well for the upcoming tasks and make the most of the available rewards.
The Halloween event in Escape from Tarkov offers an exciting challenge for those seeking action and survival. If you’re ready to face the zombie invasion, gear up with patience and ammunition and dive into this one-of-a-kind experience!
UPDATE 6.11.24: Pestily just posted a COMPLETE Halloween 2024 Task Guide & Tips video. Watch it for more details and visual explanations about the questline.
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