EFT Tutorial and Guide
THE TARKOV CENTRAL
Solo or Team?
In Escape from Tarkov, you can choose to play solo or as part of a team of 2 to 5 members.
But which option is better?
While it’s true that playing solo has undeniable disadvantages, such as the inability to cover all directions and angles from which enemies might attack and the inferior firepower, the freedom of movement and ability to move more quietly, combined with good map knowledge, effective combat tactics, and quality gear, can offset these drawbacks. Even in situations of being outnumbered, victory is still possible.
Another advantage of playing solo is the ability to be more silent and stealthy, making it easier to avoid confrontations. You can hear enemies approaching more clearly, giving you the chance to hide and let them pass unnoticed.
On the other hand, playing in a team is highly enjoyable for the teamplay aspect and offers significant advantages, such as covering each other's backs, controlling an area, and coordinating in combat. However, the lack of any indicators to distinguish teammates from enemies, difficulties in effectively communicating movements, and the inevitable noise and distraction caused by your teammates can introduce considerable challenges.
It’s not uncommon to find yourself alone, surrounded by a well-organized and prepared enemy team, with no chance of survival. Similarly, a team can be ambushed by a single silent player who, exploiting a moment of distraction within the squad, the confusion caused by one teammate’s death, and the resulting breakdown in communication, manages to eliminate them all—or even causes some of them to accidentally kill each other in the chaos.
Without a doubt, starting to play EFT solo is much harder than playing with others, especially if in the team you have more experienced teammates who already know the maps, quests, and tactics. They can teach you and help you avoid making mistakes.
However, many argue that playing in a team can also be counterproductive, as relying on more experienced players might prevent you from truly learning the game the way you would by playing solo.
My advice? Do both.
Play in a team to stay safer and to learn from others.
To reduce chaos caused by poor communication and the resulting teamkillings, along with excessive noise and difficulties to track enemies, limit your group size to a duo or, at most, a trio.
Then, try playing solo to develop self-reliance and to play with your preferred style and at your own pace, allowing you to explore and learn the maps thoroughly.
In any case, it’s important to know that both solo and team play come with their own advantages and disadvantages, making both options well-balanced and equally viable.
TIP: to find a team to play with you can join the official EFT Discord, some streamer's Discord channels or you can also check other resources such as the subreddit r/EFT_LFG.