The tough survival shooter Escape from Tarkov comes with a high level of difficulty and is a real challenge, especially for beginners. MeinMMO has 13 tips for you, so you don’t get frustrated in the first hours.
What kind of game is this? In the hardcore survival shooter Escape from Tarkov (“EFT” or “Tarkov”), you play as a soldier of a private military company fighting for survival in a sealed-off city.
Every match with your main character becomes a real challenge, as you can die very quickly and lose almost everything you are carrying.
The game started several years ago in alpha phase and is currently in a closed beta, accessible to all pre-orders.
Update January 4, 2022: We have reviewed the article and brought it up to date. Tarkov has gained a strong hype again around the turn of the year.
What is the goal of the game? It is about surviving for a long time to continuously improve your equipment and character. You choose a map, get dropped somewhere on the map, and must reach an extraction point while looting and surviving along the way.
It somewhat resembles a battle royale but does not push for an end to the match as strongly. There is no shrinking danger zone that forces you to eliminate all opponents on the map over time.
It feels more like an adventure in a survival sandbox, demanding tactical approaches and a great degree of caution. The focus lies on realism. Every hit can mean the end – for you, but also for your opponents.
Beginner Guide for the First Hours
EFT is brutal, and the first rounds can quickly turn into a disaster without proper preparation.
However, with these tips, you should be able to survive the first steps relatively unscathed. Even if something doesn’t work out, stay calm and go for the next round. With each match, your chances of survival will increase.
Tip 1: Be ready to die
What kind of tip is that? Escape from Tarkov hardly forgives mistakes, and you won’t survive the first rounds.
Especially when you try it solo for the first time, the game will get you. There is no HUD, instead a bunch of buttons for the simplest information, and not even the doors are easy to operate.
The entry is really extremely tough and will require a lot of patience from you. Stick with it, play a few rounds, try to cautiously approach the gameplay, and then the first successes will come.
But don’t expect miracles in the beginning, rather deadly fire from an unclear direction.
Tip 2: Examine everything closely
What is there to see? Tarkov offers not just the gameplay on the various maps, but also smaller elements that you shouldn’t overlook.
Get an overview of the options and feel free to go through all the menus. Here are some things to discover:
- Your hideout
- Here you can build various devices and workbenches to improve your soldier.
- Various traders
- There are several traders who offer you equipment, weapons, or consumables.
- Your character
- Get an overview of your inventory. Even with the standard edition, you already have a few useful items that you can examine.
When you start the game for the first time, it takes 20 minutes until you can play as a looter, but more on that later. In this time, you can familiarize yourself with the controls and have a look at everything.
Tip 3: Accept quests from traders
What quests are there? Quests play a significant part in progressing in Escape from Tarkov and are available from traders.
Completing a mission not only gives you experience points and money, but you also gain favor with the respective traders and receive some items for your inventory.
At the start, you can take on three quests:
- Debut at Prapor
- You need to eliminate 5 Scavengers (looters, “Scavs”) at the customs area and hand over 2 MP-133 shotguns to the arms dealer.
- Shortage at Therapist
- The doctor wants you to find 3 Salewa first aid kits and then hand over 3 of these kits to her.
- Introduction at Mechanic
- Find the camp of “Jaeger” on the Woods map
- Receive Jaeger’s message
- Give the message to the Mechanic
As your character levels up, you unlock more quests and thus level the traders who then provide you with further advantages.
Due to the missions, the maps “Woods” and “Customs” are considered good maps for beginners. You can find the corresponding map guides here:
- Escape from Tarkov: All about the Customs map – Loot, Spawns, Tactics
- Escape from Tarkov: All about the Woods map – Loot, Spawns, Tactics
Tip 4: Note important control elements
What is so important about that? Learning the controls is an important foundation for success when starting a new game.
Tarkov offers a bunch of buttons for movement options, stances, and important information that you would typically see in the HUD of other shooters.
Additionally, many keys are double assigned. For example, if you want to change the firing mode of your current rifle, you press [B] by default. However, if you want to check which firing mode is currently activated, you need to press [B] + [Left-Alt].
So, make a list of the most important keys and keep it next to your monitor. You will need them.
Tip 5: Play as a Scav
What are those character types? Scavengers (SCAVs) offer you the opportunity to join a game without risk and still loot something for your account.
Your loadout consisting of weapons and equipment is randomly determined, and you spawn at one of the Scav spawns on the map. You can play the game normally without having to worry about losing anything from your gear.
Especially at the beginning, it makes sense to play a few rounds as a Scav first. The cooldown after each round is 20 minutes, but there’s hardly a better way to get to know the game from the start.
By the way, the Scavs you encounter on the map don’t necessarily have to be players. Scavengers can also be AI-controlled.
Tip 6: Use the insurances
What insurances are available? When you join the game with your main character, you can insure items that are particularly important to you. You will get these items back, even if you are eliminated.
However, there are two catches. Firstly, it takes nearly a day or even longer to get your items back, and secondly, you only receive the items if no other enemy has looted them.
At the beginning, you will hardly have items that interest others but are very valuable to you. So insure your good items and hope that they are not too useful for your killer.
Tip 7: Keep a map ready
Why do I need an extra map? The in-game map only works if you actually have a map of the area you are playing in.
However, knowledge of the map is necessary to reach the extraction points strategically or to loot specific locations or crates.
Search the internet for the map you want to loot in the next match and keep it open on your phone, tablet, or on a second screen to check your position at any time.
Tip 8: Plan your approach
How should I plan that? Don’t just go in any direction and search for loot and the exit by chance. Plan your route as best as you can and follow that path consistently.
When you spawn, look around, take your map, and try to figure out where you are. Many maps you can find online show not only the extraction points but also crates, bosses, POIs, and everything else that is important.
With a predetermined route, you have a bit of security and can set goals. First reach House 1 and loot Crate A, then move to the next point, and so on. This way, you know roughly what to expect and when you will reach the exit.
Tip 9: Don’t overestimate yourself and improve
What does that mean? As a Scav or with your main character, you’re often outmatched by players who have been in Tarkov longer. Avoid unnecessary encounters and play to win to progress.
On the map, you can find particularly worthwhile crates or spots with excellent loot. However, veterans know these places too, and they know them better than you.
Avoid dangerous areas. Play in a way that ensures you can reach the extraction point relatively safely and gradually level up your character.
Once you have better weapons, ammunition, skills, and equipment, you can go after the bigger fish. Until then, extreme caution is advised!
Tip 10: Don’t engage in long firefights
Why are longer firefights so dangerous? If you engage in a prolonged firefight with an opponent, your chances of survival decrease significantly compared to when you always try to surprise your enemies.
“Shoot & Scoot”, that is, shoot and run, is actually a principle of artillery units, but it applies here just the same.
As soon as an opponent knows roughly where you are, they can pop up at any time and finish you off. The reverse is also true, but you have much better chances of catching opponents who aren’t expecting you.
So, if you get hit and can still somewhat walk – look for the exit. Also, if you couldn’t finish an opponent after a firefight.
Tip 11: Stay alert while looting
What can happen while looting? Whether you have eliminated an opponent or a Scav, you are never alone. An enemy can come around the corner at any time and take you out while you’re searching through foreign bags.
Always remember: You are never alone! If you eliminate a player, another member of their group will likely come to check the area. If you eliminate a Scav, “vengeance Scavs” can spawn, who will inspect the area around their fallen comrade.
In addition to the allies of your victims, enemies are also often attracted by noise. Unsilenced shots are audible over long distances, and foes could come from all directions to investigate what is happening.
So always be on your guard and perhaps wait a little longer before you start searching the warm corpse. Maybe a camper is already sitting somewhere, just waiting to search two fresh inventories.
Tip 12: Turn every Ruble twice
Why be frugal? Your character will improve with experience points, but you can also view your bank balance as in-game progress.
Every Ruble in your account represents equipment or new ammunition that you can use in the upcoming rounds. Think carefully about your expenses and whether it is worth it.
Keep track of how much your equipment is worth and find a balance. If you carry an expensive weapon with your main character, also buy expensive ammunition; otherwise, the good weapon becomes less useful.
As long as you still have space in your stash, definitely collect everything! If it gets tight, break down the found weapons, and take the 1-slot items you can sell to the traders.
Tip 13: Bring friends
Escape from Tarkov offers an intense experience and will raise your pulse to unhealthy heights from time to time. The game, especially for beginners, thrives on its “Gear Fear” – the constant fear of losing everything. And shared suffering is known to be only half as bad.
With friends, this experience is even more fun and the frustration of dying is usually alleviated a little by silly comments from your buddies. You can’t buy the game on Steam, but the in-game features are more than sufficient for a smooth coop experience.
If you also have some tips for other readers or questions about mechanics, feel free to leave us a comment.
