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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!

This is quite a tricky question to answer because it depends on several factors: Your computer's specs How you are used to playing The game's lack of optimization Your computer's specs Obviously, this is the most significant factor in the answer. Currently, EFT is poorly optimized (to put it mildly), meaning that even those with good or excellent PCs don’t get the performance they would normally expect from better-optimized games. One clear indicator of this issue is that players with powerful PCs notice that, despite not getting the expected performance, their CPU and GPU are only utilized at 30-50-60%. This means that t he game cannot fully leverage the computer’s hardware and therefore demands more power than it should. It’s a bit like an engine that hasn’t been properly tuned, consuming more fuel than necessary. Also, keep in mind that, aside from poor optimization, EFT is a very complex game that requires a powerful CPU . So, if you're considering gradually upgrading your PC for EFT (like I did), I recommend starting with the CPU (unless your GPU is truly underpowered). Everyone currently says that AMD’s latest x3D series CPUs offer the best performance. What do you need to play well? This brings us to the second factor: how you are used to playing. To give you an idea, I started playing EFT around early 2020, and at that time, I had an AMD 3600, 16 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1650. EFT ran decently—I could raid on all maps with FPS ranging from 30 to 60. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt playable . Then, in 2023, I finally made the upgrade I had been dreaming of and switched to an AMD 5800x3D, 64 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 3080Ti. A completely different experience. Seeing my FPS surpass 100 and even reach 200 was quite a thrill! I can tell you that since upgrading, not only do I enjoy playing more, but I also play much better: I move more smoothly because everything is more fluid, I aim better, and I win more gunfights . So, it's not just a matter of aesthetics and game feel but also a practical one— better performance leads to better results, more fun, and greater satisfaction . Even better now that I have activated the new DLSS 4, which has greatly improved image quality and given me even more fluidity . Requirements increase over time Also, consider that the requirements to play EFT well are increasing over time as BSG updates the graphics, textures, effects, and releases larger and more complex maps. I believe that today, with the specs I had two years ago, the game would run much worse than it did back then (especially since this wipe has further messed up optimization, but hopefully, it’s just a temporary issue… fingers crossed!). So, what’s the verdict? As I mentioned, keep in mind that the game is poorly optimized, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking that if other games run great on your PC, EFT will too. To get an idea, compare your setup with mine. Keep in mind that I haven’t spent a lot of time optimizing everything, so it’s possible that with my specs, you could achieve even better performance. Personally, after upgrading and seeing the difference, I’d say that my specs are the minimum required to play EFT well . They provide a good experience and allow for competitive PvP gameplay. IMPORTANT: If you want to play in PvE , remember that since the game runs locally, you will need more processing power than when playing only PvP, especially in terms of CPU. I can play PvE quite well, with FPS ranging from 70 to 160.

During the latest TarkovTV Live, Nikita Buyanov, CEO of Battlestate Games, accompanied by his irreplaceable streaming companion Damirka, unveiled all the plans for Escape from Tarkov and Tarkov Arena for 2025. The atmosphere was typical of BSG’s livestreams: informal, humorous, but packed with content. The Year of the Final Release The long-awaited news arrived immediately: Escape from Tarkov is planned for an official release in 2025 . While the exact date is not yet confirmed, Nikita stated that it will be revealed before the end of the second quarter of the year . The goal? To deliver a complete, polished, and stable game, ready to solidify its position as the king of extraction shooters. Between jokes about the release date ("Literally, yeah, we could do it for 2028, and that will be the actual Russia 2028 project"), Nikita reaffirmed the team's focus on two key areas: optimization and bug fixing. The team has already begun intensive work, with hundreds of bugs resolved since the start of the year , and this trend will continue up to the launch. Future Release Plans: Steam and Beyond In addition to confirming the release year, Nikita also addressed future distribution plans for Escape from Tarkov. While Arena's release on Steam is certain —"There will be definitely a release of Arena in Steam, 100%"—he mentioned that EFT's release on Steam will happen "someday". In a playful tone, he joked that before arriving on Steam, "we will release EFT on Gameboy". 2025 Roadmap: Four Major Patches The 2025 roadmap includes four major patches before the release, each with specific technical and content improvement goals: Patch 0.16.6 (End of April 2025) Quality of life improvements and bug fixes, many of which are based on feedback from the community via the Tarkov.Community platform. Optimization of Lighthouse and the return of graphical details previously removed from Customs. Introduction of an event featuring R-Shage 2, available in both PvP and PvE. This patch marks the beginning of a series of updates dedicated to stabilizing performance across various maps to provide a smoother gameplay experience. Patch 0.16.7 (June 2025) Optimization of the Reserve map. Update to the audio system, improving sound propagation at short distances, occlusion, reverberation, and environmental reflections. Nikita showcased a preview of this system, explaining that it will be dynamic and provide more realistic audio while maintaining stable framerates. Second package of quality of life improvements, including: Quick purchase of materials for crafts. Automatic currency exchange for purchases. Notifications for insurance expirations. Alerts for quest items in the inventory. Ability to pin favorite quests. Patch 0.16.8 (July 2025) A major lore event, which Nikita compared to the celebrated Minotaur/Labyrinth event, highly appreciated by the community. Optimization of the Shoreline map. Further QoL improvements based on community suggestions. Patch 0.16.9 (August 2025) Another large-scale gameplay event. Optimization of Interchange, with a possible expansion. Third package of QoL improvements. Regarding Streets of Tarkov, Nikita humorously described it as “an unoptimizable map,” though he reassured players that the team is working to improve its performance. Strengthened Collaboration: Tarkov.Community Another key point of the livestream was the strengthened collaboration with the community through Tarkov.Community , the platform where players can: Report bugs. Vote on development priorities. Propose ideas for future updates. Nikita described 2025 as a large-scale collaborative project between developers and players , with the goal of making EFT a stable and polished game in preparation for the release. New Animations for AK and M4 Among the updates, new animations for AK and M4 were showcased, with particular attention to the AKs, whose original animations were among the oldest in the game. This update also includes changes to the AK customization system, allowing for more realistic and detailed configurations. The Prestige System: News for PvP and PvE The Prestige system, so far exclusive to PvP, will continue to expand with new cosmetic rewards, including: Prestige dog tags. Exclusive hideout materials (customizable walls, floors, ceilings). Special skins and clothing items. Nikita clarified that the Prestige system is currently exclusive to PvP and will remain so for the foreseeable future. However, he did not rule out completely the possibility of bringing Prestige to PvE . He suggested that a separate or additional prestige system for PvE could be considered later, depending on player feedback and development priorities. Sneak Peek: Terminal and Final Missions One of the most anticipated moments of the livestream was the teaser for the new Terminal map, where the final storyline missions will take place. Nikita confirmed that this is the map where players will finally have the opportunity to escape from Tarkov . Some cutscene frames were also shown, hinting at the narrative conclusion. Tarkov Arena: Growth, Battle Pass, and New Features Tarkov Arena also received attention, with several updates: The free Battle Pass was launched with patch 0.3.0 in April 2025. Arena is now available on the Epic Games Store, and release on Steam is confirmed for the future. Upcoming features include: Netcode and hit registration improvements. Synchronization between Arena and PvE (tasks, rewards, item transfers). New Resort map for Checkpoint and Blast Gang modes. Introduction of Molotovs and new smoke grenades. Match history and player profile viewing. During the event, Nikita mentioned the ongoing Arena Cup Series, a tournament with a prize pool of 25,000 euros, and joked that many viewers were only there for the promotional codes. Final Outlook: A Future Full of News The TarkovTV Live confirmed that Escape from Tarkov is finally entering its concluding phase. 2025 will be the year of the official release but also the year of maximum collaboration with the community to refine every detail . Nikita closed with a message full of pride and passion for the project , emphasizing that EFT has given birth to the entire extraction shooter genre, and that the BSG team will continue to improve it even after the release . You can watch the latest TarkovTV episode on the Battlestate Twitch channel, or right here on the Tarkov.Community YouTube channel . ____ There’s always something new to discover in Escape from Tarkov ! Stay up to date with the latest News , Tips & Tricks , and In-Depth Guides , by checking out our links or starting from our Homepage . New to the game or just looking for more insights? Don’t miss our EFT: Tutorial  section!

Learn how to play Escape from Tarkov with our comprehensive EFT Tutorial and Guide. Discover tips and tricks for beginners in Escape from Tarkov. EFT Tutorial and Guide THE TARKOV CENTRAL News Tips & Tricks & Bugs Deep-Dives Game Features Resources Arena Community TTC Blog EFT Tutorial Intro EFT Tutorial A beginner guide to EFT Just a Few More Words Before We Begin! Choices What is Escape from Tarkov? Choose Your Own Path SCAV or PMC? PvP or PvE? Solo or Team? USEC or BEAR? Where Am I? Your First Objective: Extraction Spawn Points and Extraction Points Just follow the waypoint! Where Am I? Learn maps one at a time Which Map Should I Start With? Exploration Map Knowledge The First Step: Practice Mode Ready, set, go Exploration Trying Out Missions Loadout, Damage, Health The Right Gear Health & Injuries Food & Drinks Damage, Armor and Ammo Weapon Choice Basic Loadout Bring The Right Kit Weapons and Aim The Second Step: Knowing Your Weapons an Aiming and Weapon Control Experiments in Factory ADS and Point Fire Weight, Movement and Stances Weight Movement Stances Combat: AI The Third Step: Real Targets Tagged and Cursed Stay safe Caution, Patience, and a Cool Head Are V Never Give Up Listen Carefully If You Think You Heard Something, You Di Cautious, But Never Passive Peaker Advantage If You Decide to Stay Still, Don't Move! Fighting the AI Don’t Re-Peek! Granada! Don’t be afraid to run Loot Looting Types of Loot and Where to Find It Too much loot! Simultanous Actions Interrupting Actions Combat: PvP The Fourth Step: Time to Get Serious So Many Deaths Your First Raid Timing and Map Flow Your First Loot Your First Kills Primary Objective: Survive Wrapping it up Now It’s Your Turn Appendix How to Improve Further Find You Pace and Playstile Time Management Moneymaking When You Die, You Lose Everything Know Your Enemies HELP! I AM NEW TO TARKOV! Welcome to Tarkov! If you're here, it's because you think you could use a bit of help . I totally get it—I've been in your shoes myself. Unfortunately, back then, The Tarkov Central wasn’t around , so I had to figure things out on my own! To give you a helping hand, I decided not to create just another guide. Instead, I’ve prepared something closer to a tutorial, designed to take new players through a gradual learning process. This approach allows you to start playing (almost) immediately and achieve solid results in the shortest time possible, armed with a basic understanding of Escape from Tarkov. You can then dive deeper through articles, deep dives, and guides available here on TTC . I'm not claiming this is the only or the best way to learn EFT , nor that I know everything about this complex game, but in my experience, I believe this tutorial offers a solid approach to get started without unneeded frustration. The tutorial follows the steps I took to learn EFT myself, refined and adapted with the knowledge I’ve gathered over time. I always try to double-check the information I provide. If you notice any errors or omissions, please let me know right away so I can make corrections as soon as possible. Important Note: This is the first iteration of the tutorial and guide I envisioned. I’ll continue refining it and adding new sections over time. Next: A Beginner Guide to EFT comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Find resources to learn and play better Escape from Tarkov. Databases, tools, apps and more to improve your gaming experience in Tarkov. EFT Resources THE TARKOV CENTRAL News Tips & Tricks & Bugs Deep-Dives Game Features Resources Arena Community TTC Blog EFT Tutorial Latest Articles Cultist Circle + Calculator With patch 0.15, BSG introduced the Cultist Circle in Escape From Tarkov, allowing players to "sacrifice" in-game items to the Cultists... Oct 3, 2024 4 min read

Learn tricks about looting in Tarkov with our Escape from Tarkov Tutorial and Guide. Discover expert tips to maximize your loot in Tarkov today! EFT Tutorial and Guide THE TARKOV CENTRAL News Tips & Tricks & Bugs Deep-Dives Game Features Resources Arena Community TTC Blog EFT Tutorial Intro EFT Tutorial A beginner guide to EFT Just a Few More Words Before We Begin! Choices What is Escape from Tarkov? Choose Your Own Path SCAV or PMC? PvP or PvE? Solo or Team? USEC or BEAR? Where Am I? Your First Objective: Extraction Spawn Points and Extraction Points Just follow the waypoint! Where Am I? Learn maps one at a time Which Map Should I Start With? Exploration Map Knowledge The First Step: Practice Mode Ready, set, go Exploration Trying Out Missions Loadout, Damage, Health The Right Gear Health & Injuries Food & Drinks Damage, Armor and Ammo Weapon Choice Basic Loadout Bring The Right Kit Weapons and Aim The Second Step: Knowing Your Weapons an Aiming and Weapon Control Experiments in Factory ADS and Point Fire Weight, Movement and Stances Weight Movement Stances Combat: AI The Third Step: Real Targets Tagged and Cursed Stay safe Caution, Patience, and a Cool Head Are V Never Give Up Listen Carefully If You Think You Heard Something, You Di Cautious, But Never Passive Peaker Advantage If You Decide to Stay Still, Don't Move! Fighting the AI Don’t Re-Peek! Granada! Don’t be afraid to run Loot Looting Types of Loot and Where to Find It Too much loot! Simultanous Actions Interrupting Actions Combat: PvP The Fourth Step: Time to Get Serious So Many Deaths Your First Raid Timing and Map Flow Your First Loot Your First Kills Primary Objective: Survive Wrapping it up Now It’s Your Turn Appendix How to Improve Further Find You Pace and Playstile Time Management Moneymaking When You Die, You Lose Everything Know Your Enemies Too much loot! Once you become familiar with the game’s maps and start defeating enemies, you’ll realize there’s an abundance of loot —surely more than you can carry due to space and weight limits! It’s essential to know what to prioritize . Beyond items needed for tasks or the hideout, it’s crucial to identify items with the most utility and value. This will come with experience, but until then, there are several websites where you can check the value of items, even mid-raid: Tarkov Market Tarkov Guru Database for Tarkov There are also apps that display additional in-game information, like item values when you hover the mouse pointer on them, but it’s not 100% clear whether using them risks a ban, so I don’t feel comfortable promoting the use of these tools to you. A common rule many players follow is to fill their inventory with items worth more than 10,000 rubles per slot . For example, a single-slot item worth over 10,000 rubles or a four-slot item worth more than 40,000 rubles. Note: Patch 0.16 introduced a pretty big change by introducing the rule by which now to upgrade your hideout you need FIR (Found In Raid) items . Read the article I wrote about this for info, tips and a greatly useful video made by Pestily on where to find the loot you need! TIP: Some containers take up fewer slots than the number of slots they provide. For example, certain chest rigs occupy 9 slots but offer 16 internal slots. This means that by placing such a rig inside your backpack, you effectively gain 7 additional slots ! The only drawback is that the rig adds weight, which can slow you down or drain your stamina faster. However, this is a valuable trick to learn, especially early on when you're undergeared and usually carrying a lighter load. Next: Simultaneous Actions comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.