Escape from Tarkov is a game that is certainly very mind boggling the first 20 hours (and, to be honest, it can still manage to boggle the minds of those who play for hundreds of hours), but after some time you kind of get used to it. While this may not be a typical “Escape from Tarkov Beginners Guide”, it still contains essential information that newcomers will find incredibly useful. The tips here cover critical insights that can help new players get a solid start in the game. Even if you don’t get how things generally work at the start, there are still basic things you need to learn before diving deep into this hellhole we call our favorite game – Tarkov.
While playing with friends can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Tarkov, solo play is key to real improvement. Without teammates to handle enemies or retrieve your gear, you’ll need to rely entirely on your own skills. Solo raids force you to confront and learn from your mistakes, leading to growth in both combat skills and tactical awareness.
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Starting your journey in Tarkov can be overwhelming, especially with the steep learning curve and punishing PvP environment. Offline mode offers a safer space to get comfortable with the game mechanics before diving into real raids. Here’s why it’s a must for beginners:
Map Knowledge
Offline mode lets you freely explore any map without the pressure of encountering other players. You can take your time learning extract locations, loot spots, and key landmarks, which are essential for navigating maps confidently in live raids.
Combat Practice
Offline mode allows you to add AI-controlled Scavs to practice combat. This setup gives you a feel for how Scavs behave and helps you refine your aim, reaction times, and positioning—all without the risk of losing gear. You can also set AI difficulty, gradually increasing the challenge as you improve.
Experimentation with Gear and Loadouts
In offline mode, you won’t lose any equipment when you die, so it’s perfect for testing different weapons, attachments, and loadouts. This experimentation helps you understand how each piece of gear performs, giving you confidence in the gear you take into real raids.
Practice Movement and Controls
Tarkov’s movement and control scheme can feel complex for new players, with its variety of stances, peeking mechanics, and lean options. Offline mode lets you experiment with these controls and get comfortable with everything, reducing the risk of fumbling in high-pressure situations.
Inventory And Trader Menu Exploration
As mentioned previously in our Escape From Tarkov Leveling Guide, kickstart your progress in EFT by spending time inspecting every item in the Inventory and Trader menus. This simple step not only helps familiarize you with gear and resources but also earns you valuable experience points early on. Plus you will be able to gain more experience by both exploring and inspecting.
It’s important to outline the 3 main objectives at the start:
Prioritize playing on maps where you have active quests. Each raid should focus on understanding the map—learn the layout, key locations, and structure. Map knowledge is invaluable, it is basically CRUCIAL and can greatly improve your survival and efficiency in future raids.
When cash is tight, loot runs are one of the best ways to build up your funds in Escape from Tarkov. You can either design your own routes or follow popular ones shared by other players. Sticking to a reliable route can earn you between 10-15 million rubles over several runs. This income allows you to upgrade gear, invest in Hideout improvements, and prepare for tougher raids.
High-value locations like Reserve, Interchange, and Shoreline are ideal for profitable loot runs. However, don’t overlook less popular spots; they can be less risky and still yield valuable tech or barter items. Factory is ideal for quick raids, offering easy-to-remember exits and a compact layout. Its small size makes it perfect for fast-paced firefights and quick loot runs, allowing you to gather essentials efficiently before heading to extraction.
Factory shenanigans aside, the real trick to successful loot runs is knowing where the high-value items spawn on each map. Make these hotspots a regular part of your route, and you’ll maximize your loot potential with each raid.
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Familiarize yourself with the penetration values of different ammo types. While you might load your preferred rounds before a raid, at some point, you’ll have to rely on looted weapons and whatever ammo they’re loaded with—better to know how effective they’ll be. Down below is a Tarkov screenshot with information about the 5.56×45 M855 cartridge. This sort of information is important to understand which type of ammo works best in a particular environment.
Know where to aim based on the ammo’s characteristics. For rounds with low penetration but high damage, targeting the legs can be highly effective since no armor in Tarkov protects them. Adjusting your aim based on ammo type can significantly improve your chances in combat.
Investing in Hideout upgrades is a great way to increase your XP gains, especially with stations like the Library, which adds a substantial 165% bonus to raid XP, helping you level up faster.
The Hideout also provides valuable crafting options, allowing you to earn extra money and level up the crafting skill. As your crafting skill improves, your production speed increases, making a significant difference over time in both income and efficiency. Prioritizing these upgrades can give you an edge in progressing through the game.
Mastering the basics in Escape from Tarkov is key to surviving and thriving in its challenging world. By focusing on quests, familiarizing yourself with maps, and learning game mechanics through offline mode, you’ll build a strong foundation for success.
More essential EFT guides:
What should I do first when starting Tarkov?
Begin by completing the “Introduction” quest from Mechanic to unlock Jaeger, as his items and quests will be essential later. Familiarize yourself with the map, controls, and inventory.
Is it better to play solo or in a team as a beginner?
Both have benefits, but starting solo can help you develop self-reliance and learn from your mistakes. Teaming up with friends, however, can ease learning maps and quests.
How can offline mode help me as a beginner?
Offline mode is ideal for exploring maps, practicing combat with AI Scavs, and testing gear without risking valuable equipment, providing a safer way to understand game mechanics.
Why should I focus on early quests?
Early quests offer essential experience points and gear, helping you level up quickly and unlock better traders and equipment.
When should I start learning ammo types and penetration values?
It’s helpful to start learning ammo stats early, as using the right ammo for the situation can make a big difference in combat. Knowing the strengths of looted ammo will also give you an edge.
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