How to Survive Your First Raid in Escape from Tarkov: Essential Tips for New Players
Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore first-person shooter that throws you into intense raids with high stakes. Your first raid can be a make-or-break moment. To survive, focus on learning the map, moving cautiously, and extracting safely with your loot.
The game’s steep learning curve can be tough, but it’s part of what makes Tarkov so rewarding. You’ll need to master the basics of combat, inventory management, and situational awareness. Don’t get discouraged if you die – it’s all part of the process.
Start small. Pick a less popular map and go in with minimal gear. Your goal is to explore, loot, and extract alive. As you gain confidence, you can take on more challenging raids. Remember, every successful extraction is a victory in Tarkov.
Preparing for the Raid
Getting ready for your first raid in Escape from Tarkov is crucial. You need to know the basics, choose the right gear, and manage your inventory wisely. Utilizing exclusive Tarkov cheats for elite gameplay can further enhance your preparation and ensure you’re ready to face any challenge.
Understanding the Basics
Raids are the heart of Escape from Tarkov (EFT). You’ll enter as a PMC or Scav, fighting to survive and extract with loot. Each map has unique extraction points. Learn these spots before you jump in.
Use an interactive map to study the layout. It’ll show you where to find loot and how to get out safely.
Remember, there’s no tutorial in EFT. The learning curve is steep. But don’t worry – everyone starts somewhere.
Insure your gear before a raid. If you die and no one takes your stuff, you might get it back. It’s a safety net for new players.
Gearing Up
Choose your equipment carefully. As a new player, start simple. A basic pistol or cheap AK is enough.
Bring ammo that matches your gun. Pack extra in your secure container.
Wear armor if you can afford it. Even low-level protection helps against Scavs.
Don’t forget a helmet. It might save your life.
Pack a medkit. You’ll need it to fix injuries and stop bleeding.
Grab a backpack to hold more loot. The bigger, the better – but remember, it makes you a bigger target too.
Inventory Management
Your inventory space is limited. Pack smart.
Bring only what you need for the raid. Leave valuables in your stash.
Organize your gear before you start. Put meds and ammo where you can reach them fast.
Know what’s worth keeping. Some items sell well on the Flea Market or are useful for your Hideout.
If you find better gear during the raid, swap it out. Always try to leave with more than you brought in.
Keep your stash organized between raids. It’ll make prep time faster and easier.
In-Raid Strategies
Mastering key tactics will boost your survival odds in Tarkov. Focus on smart movement, effective combat, and proper healing to stay alive.
Movement and Positioning
Keep your head on a swivel. Always scan your surroundings and listen for footsteps or gunshots. Move from cover to cover, using trees, rocks, and buildings to stay hidden.
Don’t sprint unless you have to. It’s loud and drains your stamina fast. Walk or crouch-walk instead to stay quiet.
Use audio cues to your advantage. If you hear movement, stop and listen. Figure out where it’s coming from before you move.
Learn the maps. Knowing good ambush spots and extraction points is crucial. Study offline or use online guides to get familiar with layouts.
Combat Mechanics
Aim for the head. One well-placed shot can end a fight quickly. Practice your aim in offline mode or the shooting range.
Use cover effectively. Peek and shoot from behind objects. Don’t stand in the open.
Master reloading. Know your weapon’s hotkeys and keep spare magazines handy. Running dry mid-fight is a death sentence.
Pick your fights wisely. Sometimes it’s better to avoid combat and focus on your objectives.
The SKS is a great starter weapon. It’s cheap, powerful, and accurate. Get comfortable with it early on.
Health and Healing
Bring medical supplies. Pack health packs, splints, and painkillers. You’ll need them.
Learn the healing animations. Some take longer than others. Find safe spots to heal.
Manage your limb health. A blacked-out limb can’t be healed directly. Use a Surv12 kit or CMS to fix it.
Stay hydrated and fed. Low energy slows you down and makes noise. Bring water and food on longer raids.
Use painkillers proactively. They reduce tremors and let you run on broken legs. Pop them before big fights.
Post-Raid Actions
After you extract from a raid, there’s still work to do. You need to review your performance and manage your loot wisely. These steps are key to improving and building your wealth in Tarkov.
Evaluating Your Performance
Take a moment to reflect on your raid. Did you complete any quests? How many enemies did you take down? Look at your survival time and experience points gained. These stats help you track your progress.
If you died, think about why. Was it poor positioning? Lack of ammo? Use these lessons to plan better for next time. Each raid, even failed ones, builds your skills.
Keep notes on what worked and what didn’t. This helps you learn the maps and improve your tactics faster.
Managing Loot and Economy
Check your insurance returns first. Put valuable items in your stash. Sell less useful loot to traders or on the flea market. This turns your raid findings into rubles.
Organize your stash. Group similar items together. This makes it easier to gear up for your next raid. Repair any damaged gear you want to keep.
Use your new wealth wisely. Invest in better gear or save up for important keys. Don’t blow all your money on expensive loadouts you can’t afford to lose.
Complete tasks for traders. This unlocks better items and discounts. It also gives you direction for future raids.