Beginner's Guide
Escape from Tarkov is an extremely realistic, unforgiving shooter where you can lose everything you earn. The first hours can be confusing; this guide takes you from zero through core concepts, your first raid, gear choices and the economy, step by step.
Each topic is a standalone guide you can read on its own. The order below is the recommended learning path — but you can start with any topic you like.
Guide Contents
What Is Escape from Tarkov?
Secure container sizes, the maps where insurance fails, the 25 minute Scav timer and how 1.0 unlocks maps through quests.
First Steps
Ground Zero matchmaking, first buys from Therapist and Ragman, the Run Through trap, plus FPS and audio settings.
Maps and Extracts
Ground Zero's level cap plus raid time, player count, free extracts and quest count for every map in one table.
Survival
How your 440 HP is split, how fast a heavy bleed kills, what each medkit spends and what a fracture really costs.
Weapons & Ammo Basics
Which rounds beat which armor class, the best ammo traders sell for cash, and the parts that actually cut recoil.
Gear: Armor, Helmets, Rigs
What the armor class really means, how worn armor gets penetrated and which helmets cover your face: from game data.
Traders and Economy
Loyalty requirements for every trader, who pays what for loot, Flea Market locks and Fence reputation.
Quests, Progression and Kappa
How the 515 quests unlock, which 13 quests Kappa requires and how the FIR mark really works.
System Requirements and Install Size
Official minimum and recommended specs, the real install size (about 86 GB), and how SSD and RAM affect the game.
PvE Mode vs PvP
Which editions include it, separate character, PvE Prestige, bot behavior, higher boss spawns and a separate Flea Market.
Best Graphics and Audio Settings
The settings that really cost FPS, PostFX for night maps and audio settings to hear footsteps clearly.