Tarkov Maps: Which Map Should a New Player Start On?

Ground Zero is the only map in the game with a level cap. Until level 20 you are matched only with players between levels 1 and 20, no boss spawns, and raids start with 10 players at most. The numbers below come from the game's map data (tarkov.dev) and the official wiki's extract tables.

Ground Zero turns into a different map at level 21

The moment you hit level 21, you move to the experienced version of the same map. Raids there go up to 12 players, Scavs get harder, rare loot becomes more likely and Cultists can show up. In a group, the highest level player decides the lobby: even at level 8, queueing with a level 30 friend puts you in the experienced version.

That is also why spending all of your first 20 levels on Ground Zero is usually a mistake. Only 16 quests have objectives on the map, and most of your progression happens elsewhere.

The maps side by side

"Free" extracts in the table are PMC extracts that need no money, key, flare, note, Scav partner or timing, and are open every raid. The quest column counts quests with at least one objective tied to that map.

After Ground Zero, Customs and Woods are the obvious next stops. Both run 35 minutes, and only Streets of Tarkov has more quests, while Streets is also the most crowded map at up to 16 players. Factory lasts 20 minutes with 8 players at most: good for a quick quest run, but you will almost always end up in a fight. According to the game data, Tagilla spawns there 35% of the time, while Reshala on Customs and Shturman on Woods are at 60%. Patches can change these rates.

Most extracts come with a condition

On Customs, only 3 of the 10 PMC extracts (Crossroads, Trailer Park, ZB-1011) need nothing. Here is what the rest ask for:

• Dorms V-Ex: 5,000 roubles per player, 4 players max, single use and not open every raid. The fee depends on your Scav karma with Fence.
• Old Gas Station: closed in some raids. When it is open, a green flare burns next to it.
• Railroad Passage: fire a green flare into the sky while standing in the signal area. One player firing it opens it for the whole group.
• ZB-1013: pull the lever in warehouse 4 at the crane yard, and bring the key for the extract door.
• Boiler Room Basement: co-op, you leave together with a Scav player.
• Smugglers' Boat and Smugglers' Bunker: you need to carry the "Note with code word Voron".

Ground Zero works the same way: Emercom Checkpoint and Nakatani Basement Stairs are always open, and Police Cordon V-Ex also costs 5,000 roubles per player. On Woods, ZB-014, ZB-016 and RUAF Gate are not open every raid. On Factory, Cellars and Med Tent Gate cannot be used without the Factory emergency exit key.

Climbing extracts and no-backpack extracts

Some extracts check your gear. Climber's Trail on Shoreline, Cliff Descent on Reserve and Mountain Pass on Lighthouse all require a Red Rebel ice pick and Paracord, with no armor vest equipped. The Sewer Manhole on Reserve does not work while you wear a backpack. That makes Reserve rough for new players: of its 7 PMC extracts, only Exit to Woods is free, and that one runs past a minefield.