In Escape from Tarkov, you can now expand your stash with microtransactions. Players are divided on what they think about it.
What is the deal with the stash expansion? Escape from Tarkov is now selling expansions for the stash, which players use to store their loot and equipment.
On the website of the extraction shooter, you can now buy up to 28 rows that will expand your stash, with a minimum purchase of 2 rows for 3 €. For all 28 rows, you would have to pay 42 €.
Why is the size of the stash important? In Escape from Tarkov, you complete missions, sell your loot for dollars or rubles, and gather equipment and ammunition that you want to keep. Everything you bring back from a raid has to be stored somewhere, which is why the stash is a crucial part of the gameplay loop.
- In the stash is all the stuff that you have bought or extracted over time: weapons, helmets, vests, ammunition – everything.
- If you want to be successful in Escape from Tarkov, you need to keep your stash organized, as the stash does not provide infinite storage space. Wasting space restricts you, as less equipment will be available.
- The center of looting and leveling always revolves around the hideout (the shelter) with the associated stash. You can upgrade both your hideout and your stash.
Experienced Tarkov players have no empty backpacks or vests in their stash but cram everything together and expand their storage capacity with boxes – as long as they can get as much stored as possible. Nevertheless, the stash eventually reaches its limits if you don’t diligently sell off all unnecessary items immediately.
The fact that you can now purchase storage capacity for real money directly impacts your gaming experience and can simplify a crucial aspect of the shooter – organization in your own stash.
What do players say about it? Players have many different opinions about the stash upgrade. Some find it very expensive, while others say the price is reasonable. For some, the expansion is pay-to-win, while others find that completely acceptable:
- ClockworkArcBDO via Reddit: “I think this is a good way to implement microtransactions. Compared to a basic account, it’s a bit P2W[…].”
- Istariel via Reddit: “I’m not really interested in the stash upgrades, as I already have EOD, but in my opinion, this is pretty much the least intrusive way to add microtransactions. It does seem a bit expensive though.”
- TheJok3r57 via Reddit: “42 € for 28 rows is still a bit expensive for what it is.”
- anon142358193: “If it means that BSG can improve cash flow and ban more cheaters, that’s really good. It’s not intrusive, it doesn’t provide an advantage for the raid, and it’s not required for progression.”
- kraynd via x.com: “By definition, ‘stash rows for money’ is a pay-to-win mechanic […] In the game, that’s an advantage over non-paying players. BUT: we had that with EoD too, so no reason to be upset.”
Some players also criticize on x.com that as owners of the EOD version, they do not receive the stash upgrade for free. The user “Taylor_btw” writes, for example: “It seems somewhat concerning that EOD should give me future expansions for free, but not this one.”
If you are looking for more games like Escape from Tarkov, check this out: 5 games on Steam you should play if you like Escape from Tarkov
