Escape from Tarkov is a hard core, online survival shooter developed by Battlestate Games. The closed beta was released in July 2017 and to this day, April 2020, the game is still regarded as in development, although it is perfectly well rounded, fully functional game with an incredible gameplay.
Its developers are all hard core FPS veterans from St. Petersburg, and this game shows it well. As a player, you go on so-called “raids” in different maps. Before the raid, you can choose to play either as a player character (so-called PMC – Player Main Character) or a Player SCAV (Player Scavenger). As a PMC you will get to choose your equipment before the raid, enabling you to have the setup that you want, and you will spawn at the beginning of the raid. As a player scav, you will spawn randomly during the raid, having random gear, usually of lower quality. The advantage of playing with Player Scav is that you are not risking any loot; if you manage to survive and exit the map, you will profit from the loot you got (scavenged). If you get killed or do not manage to exit the map, you have not lost anything.
What is the goal in Escape From Tarkov?
The goal in Escape from Tarkov is to exit the map with the loot. It is not important if you do not fight a single fight or kill dozens of enemies, in the end the most important thing is whether you managed to survive and leave the map or not. If you do not, you lose all the gear you brought in with you (unless you insure it, when there is a chance that you might get some of it back). The gear you successfully retrieve from a raid can be sold to NPC traders or sold to other players on the flea market. There are also many different tasks (quests or missions) you get from the NPC traders in this game, ranging from killing scavs on the map to obtaining various items and performing actions on different maps. These tasks will earn you rewards from the NPC traders (money, gear and weapons) and also increase your standing with them, letting you reach higher loyalty levels. On each of the four loyalty levels, you get access to buying better and more diverse gear and weapons from these traders.
What are SCAV’s?
SCAV’s are NPC’s in Escape from Tarkov. In the lore, these are scavengers that are roaming the Tarkov city in search for loot. However, SCAV’s can be controlled by both the AI as well as other players – these are so called Player SCAV’s. At the beginning it will be hard for you to figure out which SCAV’s are AI controlled and which one of them are player controlled. Check out our article Escape from Tarkov how to recongize a SCAV for more information!
Can I rent my own Escape from Tarkov server?
No, you can’t rent your own Escape from Tarkov server. EFT is played on community servers, in competition with other players, and there is little chance that we will ever see the ability to rent private servers.
Can I play Escape from Tarkov as a single player?
In a manner of sorts, yes, you can. There is a possibility to go on offline raids, where you can choose to either be alone or fight NPC SCAV’s. This is actually a good tip, since you will learn where the SCAV spawns are, get to know the map and practice for the “real deal”. Keep in mind that all the items and experience you gain in offline maps will not transfer to your PMC.
Leveling in Escape from Tarkov
You gain experience and level your character in Escape from Tarkov First, you get to level your main character up to level 59, but the higher levels don’t mean much and will probably be raised in the future. Levels matter for two reasons:
- Unlocking access to the Flea Market (player market), currently at level 10
- Prerequisites to unlock higher levels of loyalty with traders
What is more important is the fact that you level your character skills such as endurance, health, strength, metabolism, intellect, memory and so forth. These skills have both direct impact on your gameplay and are also prerequisites to unlock certain features in the game such as upgrades in your hideout.
How much does Escape From Tarkov cost?
Escape from Tarkov currently has four different editions with different prices:
- Standard Edition
- Left behind Edition
- Prepare for Escape edition
- Edge of Darkness (limited edition)
Escape from Tarkov: Standard Edition
The standard edition costs $45 and includes instant access to closed beta, the basic 10×26 cell (260 slots) stash and the following bonus equipment:
- knife (ER Bayonet)
- tactical rig x2 (depends on selected faction)
- backpack x2 (MBSS – 4×4 cells)
- Secure container (2×2)
- Grach or P226 pistol x3 (depends on selected faction)
- pistol magazines x9
- pistol ammo x180
- Makarov Pistol x3
- pistol magazines x9
- pistol ammo x150
- canned meat x4
- bottled water x3
- AI-2 medkit x6
- bandages x6
- splint x6
- 300k roubles
- AKS74U + 2 loaded magazines
Escape from Tarkov: Left Behind Edition
For $75, you can pick up the Left Behind Edition, which increases your stash size to 10×36 cells (360 slots) and will grant you following additional equipment:
- knife (ER Bayonet)
- tactical rig x2 (depends on selected faction)
- backpack x2 (MBSS – 4×4 cells)
- Secure container (2×2)
- Grach or P226 pistol x4 (depends on selected faction)
- pistol magazines x12
- pistol ammo x180
- Makarov Pistol x3
- pistol magazines x9
- pistol ammo x150
- canned meat x8
- bottled water x6
- AI-2 medkit x9
- bandages x9
- splint x9
- 400k roubles
- AKS74U+2 loaded magazines
- АК74N+2 loaded magazines
- Salewa first aid kit
- RGD-5 grenade
- additional backpack (MBSS – 4×4 slots)
Escape from Tarkov: Prepare for Escape Edition
The Prepare for Escape Edition comes with a 10×46 cell (460 slots) stash and a wide range of additional gear and weapons:
- knife (ER Bayonet)
- tactical rig x2 (depends on selected faction)
- backpack x2 (MBSS – 4×4 cells)
- Larger secure container (2×3)
- Grach or P226 pistol x4 (depends on selected faction)
- pistol magazines x12
- pistol ammo x180
- Makarov Pistol x3
- pistol magazines x9
- pistol ammo x150
- canned meat x8
- bottled water x6
- AI-2 medkit x9
- bandages x9
- splint x9
- 400k roubles
- AKS74U+2 loaded magazines
- АК74N+2 loaded magazines
- Salewa first aid kit
- RGD-5 grenade х2
- additional backpack (MBSS – 4×4 slots)
- SMG Vityaz or HK MP5 + 2 loaded magazines (depending on selected faction)
- 1000 dollars
- Kiver helmet
- Pilad reflex sight
- IFAK first aid kit
- АК74 M1-B Ultimak handguard
Escape from Tarkov: Edge of Darkness limited edition
For $140 you will get the Edge of Darkness Limited Edition that will grant you an increased stash size to a jaw-dropping 10×66 cells (660 slots), initial “good standing” with in-game traders, a unique in-game ID and the season pass, which grants access to all future paid DLC. there is a number of additional starting goodies as well:
- Tactical Tomahawk
- tactical rig x2 (depends on selected faction)
- backpack x2 (Tri-Zip – 5×6 cells)
- Unique secure gamma-container (3×3)
- Grach or P226 pistol x4 (depends on selected faction)
- pistol magazines x12
- pistol ammo x180
- Makarov Pistol x3
- pistol magazines x9
- pistol ammo x150
- canned meat x8
- bottled water x6
- AI-2 medkit x9
- bandages x9
- splint x9
- 400k roubles
- AKS74U+2 loaded magazines
- АК74N+2 loaded magazines
- Salewa first aid kit
- RGD-5 grenade х2
- SMG Vityaz or HK MP5 + 2 loaded magazines (depending on selected faction)
- 3000 dollars
- Kiver helmet
- Pilad reflex sight
- IFAK first aid kit
- АК74 M1-B Ultimak handguard
- Grizzly first aid kit
- Alfa tactical rig
- morphine injector х2
- SV98 sniper rifle + 1 loaded magazine
- Silencerco Hybrid 46 silencer
- Silencerco Hybrid 46 silencer adaptor
- pistol case (3×3)
- 6B43 6А body armor
- MPX submachine gun + 2 loaded magazines
- M4 LVOA-S handguard
Which Escape from Tarkov edition should I buy?
My recommendation would be to start with the standard edition, and see if you like the game. There are occasional discounts popping up, so it would be a good thing to subscribe for a newsletter and follow different outlets for alerts for these discounts, which are known to happen for example at times when there are wipes i.e. all the players get reset to starting positions and need to level up their characters and get additional loot. After playing EFT for a couple of months, I decided that a) this will be the game I will be following and playing in the long run and b) I need an upgraded stash or otherwise I would lose the little sanity I had left. Now, it is possible to get all this gear and more, as well as upgrade your stash through hideout in the game, but it is much more convenient to have the 10×66 stash to spread your majestic loot around rather than be stuck with the standard 10×26 stash… All of which leads us to the final of the most frequently asked questions about Escape From Tarkov:
Can I upgrade my Escape from Tarkov Edition?
in short, yes. You can upgrade it at any time. Also, very important, you used to have to reset your entire account when upgrading your EFT account; that is no longer the case! When you upgrade your Escape from Tarkov account, you need to finish the payment processing, then simply log out and log back in. All of your new stuff will be sent to you through the message system, you will keep all your items, money and progress in the game and will have the access to the increased stash.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments in the section below, I would be happy to help you find your footing in the Escape from Tarkov!
