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Getting Started in Escape from Tarkov: A Beginner’s Guide

Getting started in Escape from Tarkov can feel like standing at the bottom of Everest with no climbing experience. There is so much to learn, so much pressure, and so much to lose — often very quickly. However, by taking some essential steps early on, you can make your first several hours in Tarkov far more manageable and enjoyable.

What to Do First in Escape from Tarkov

Beyond the specific tips outlined below, the most important mindset to have when learning Tarkov is to take everything one step at a time. The game is a nearly endless marathon, and understanding that failure is your best teacher will serve you well through the thousands of hours Tarkov demands.

Here are five key tips that will greatly improve your early Tarkov experience.

1. Scav Your First Raid

There are two types of raids in Tarkov: PMC raids and Scav raids.

– **PMC (Private Military Contractor):** This is your main customizable character, equipped with better gear and weapons. Dying as a PMC means losing your equipment.
– **Scav (Scavenger):** This is a randomized character with generally weaker gear, but going into a raid as a Scav costs you nothing and you risk only the gear the Scav spawns with.

Because playing as a Scav is risk-free for your PMC gear, use your Scav raids to explore maps, avoid confrontations where possible, and get a feel for the mechanics. Pay attention to sounds like gunfire and note their locations. Search and open every loot container you find—you’ll soon learn which containers yield the best loot. Remember, your first Scav raid is a valuable learning experience, so don’t waste it.

2. Learn the Difference Between a Scav and a PMC

Understanding the difference between a Scav and a PMC is critical in Tarkov. When playing as a PMC, everyone else (both PMCs and Scavs) is potentially hostile.

Here’s a quick way to tell the two apart:

– **PMCs:** Typically wear military-style clothing and gear, including larger backpacks, sturdy helmets, and advanced weapons. Their outfits tend to be less colorful, though some cosmetics may vary.
– **Scavs:** Usually appear ragged, wearing civilian clothes and patched-together weaponry with lower-quality equipment.

Keep in mind that some player-controlled Scavs may have collected PMC gear, so appearances can sometimes be misleading. Also, when playing as a Scav, avoid shooting other Scavs, as this increases your Scav cooldown timer among other penalties.

3. See If Your PC Can Run Streets of Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov is a demanding game, and the *Streets of Tarkov* map is particularly resource-intensive, amplifying performance issues manyfold.

Before you commit to playing this map in multiplayer, try running it in offline mode by enabling Practice Mode when loading into a PMC match. If your experience is choppy or nearly unplayable, you should probably avoid Streets for now.

While it’s disappointing to skip one of the best loot-filled maps, optimizing your gameplay experience is important—poor performance can ruin your raid.

4. Avoid Ground Zero for Your First Few Raids

*Ground Zero* is the first map you’ll visit as part of the quest chains given by Traders (in-game vendors selling gear, ammo, and meds). Unfortunately, it’s also notorious for being a “meat grinder” where new players are often overwhelmed by veterans familiar with spawn points or equipped with top-tier gear.

Instead of Ground Zero, focus on safer maps like *Woods*, *Streets* (if your PC can run it), or *Interchange*, especially when playing as a Scav. These maps offer good loot and are generally easier to navigate and survive.

Remember, *nowhere* in Tarkov is truly safe—you can be shot from dozens of angles at any time—but starting on more forgiving maps will help you acclimate.

5. Stick to the Map You Like Most for a While

Although avoiding Ground Zero might delay your Trader quest progression, picking a few maps to focus on will pay off greatly.

Choose two or three maps that you enjoy and spend at least a dozen hours on each. Getting familiar with these maps—knowing how to navigate, where to find loot, and how to extract safely—will give you a significant edge.

Tarkov’s economy is tricky but profitable once you know the ropes. Mastery of a few maps will help you build the resources and skills you need to succeed.

6. Make Enough Money to Buy a Lucky Scav Junkbox

Eventually, you’ll want to save up to purchase a Lucky Scav Junkbox, which costs about 1.2 million roubles.

Why is it so important?

– It holds a large quantity of electronics, household items, and valuables.
– It significantly saves space in your stash compared to storing individual items.
– It helps you organize and maximize your inventory, freeing room for weapons, armor, and other large gear.

To earn enough money, loot and sell valuable items to Traders like Therapist (for meds, valuables, and some tools) and Mechanic (weapons, weapon attachments, ammo). Use your Scav runs to gather loot and supplement your PMC’s earnings through raids.

When you acquire your Junkbox, fill it with everything that fits to free up stash space and optimize your inventory management. As you progress, you’ll unlock and buy other containers for specific items, but the Lucky Scav Junkbox should be your first major investment.

Final Thoughts

There is so much more to learn and explore in Escape from Tarkov. Even after 1,100 hours of gameplay, veteran players continue discovering new nuances and tactics every time they play.

Take your time, be patient with your progress, and remember: failure is your best teacher in this harsh but rewarding game. Good luck, and welcome to Tarkov.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146147/what-to-do-first-in-escape-from-tarkov