Escape from Tarkov is the most punishing extraction shooter ever made. You die constantly, lose everything, and that’s the point. This guide helps you survive your first raids and understand the brutal learning curve.
Core Concept: Extraction
Tarkov raids are session-based. You spawn in, loot, and must reach an extraction point to keep your loot. Die and you lose everything you brought and found.
The Loop
- Gear up (weapons, armor, meds, backpack)
- Enter a raid (choose map)
- Loot (containers, enemies, scavs)
- Extract (reach extraction point)
- Survive (sell loot, gear up better)
Best Starting Maps
| Map | Difficulty | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Factory | Hard (small, PvP-heavy) | Learn gunplay fast |
| Customs | Medium | Best beginner map, balanced loot |
| Interchange | Medium | Good loot, shopping mall |
| Woods | Easy-Medium | Open, sniper-heavy, good loot |
| Reserve | Hard | Military base, high-tier loot |
| Streets of Tarkov | Medium-Hard | Newest map, dense city |
Recommendation: Start with Customs. It has a good balance of loot, PvP, and clear extraction points. Learn Customs before branching out.
Gear Selection (Beginner)
Budget Loadout
| Slot | Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | SKS + 20 rounds | 40k Rubles |
| Armor | PACA Soft Armor | 25k Rubles |
| Helmet | SSh-68 | 20k Rubles |
| Meds | 2× AI-2, 1× Bandage | 5k Rubles |
| Backpack | Scav BP or MBSS | 5-15k Rubles |
| Total | — | ~100k Rubles |
Gear Fear
The #1 beginner mistake is gear fear — being afraid to lose gear so you never bring anything good. Counter this:
- Budget loadouts — cheap gear you don’t mind losing
- Scav runs — free gear runs, no risk
- Insure everything — get gear back if un-looted
Loot Guide
Loot Rarity & Locations
| Loot Type | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Common loot | Everywhere, containers |
| Weapons | Weapon crates, scav bodies |
| Ammo | Ammo boxes, military crates |
| Meds | Medical bags, med crates |
| Valuables (bitcoin, etc.) | Safes, hidden stashes |
| Quest items | Specific locations |
High-Value Loot Spots (Customs)
- Dorms (2-story & 3-story) — safes, weapons, quest items
- Marked Room — best loot on the map (needs key)
- Gas Station — safes, meds
- USEC Stash — military crates
- Hidden stashes — buried caches around the map
Extraction Points (Customs)
| Extraction | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Crossroads | Always open |
| Trailer Park | Always open |
| ZB-1011 | Open (check green smoke) |
| ZB-1012 | Needs Factory Exit Key |
| RUAF Roadblock | Open |
| Old Gas Station | Needs key, sometimes open |
| Dorms V-Exit | Needs car (paid extract) |
| Smuggler’s Boat | Sometimes open |
Learn extraction points BEFORE raiding. Dying at extract with a full backpack is the most painful Tarkov experience.
Scav Runs (Free Money)
Play as a Scav (free loadout, no risk) every 20 minutes.
Scav Run Strategy
- Queue as Scav
- Spawn with random gear
- Loot whatever you find
- Extract with everything
- Transfer to your PMC
Scav runs are free money. Use them to learn maps and build your Ruble reserves without risk.
Essential Survival Tips
- Sound is everything — walk, don’t run, listen constantly
- Ammo matters more than gun — use good ammo (PS for 7.62x39)
- Learn spawn points — know where players spawn
- Don’t sprint everywhere — running is loud
- Learn one map deeply — map knowledge wins fights
- Quests = progression — complete trader quests to level up
- Use the wiki — Tarkov has zero in-game guidance
Escape from Tarkov is brutal but rewarding. Learn Customs, use Scav runs for free money, and accept that death is part of the experience. Every raid makes you slightly better.
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