Tarkov PvE Mode: Differences from PvP, Price and Prestige

PvE Zone is the mode where you play Tarkov on a separate character against AI-controlled PMCs. As of 6 October 2026 it sells as a $29.99 add-on on Steam, and The Unheard is the only edition on sale that includes it. Patch 1.2.0.0, released on 6 October 2026, brought Prestige to PvE and reworked how PMC bots behave.

Which editions include PvE and how to get it

Steam prices below are list prices as of 6 October 2026, before any sale:

The cheapest way into PvE is Standard plus the PVE Zone add-on: $79.98 in total. You can also buy the upgrade from the Expansions page on BSG's site or from the in-game Expansions Hub. If you own Edge of Darkness, which is no longer sold, you already have PvE.

PvP Zone, PvP Season and PvE Zone are three separate characters

Since patch 1.1.0.0 on 3 August 2026 the game has three modes. Seasonal characters play on their own servers and are completely independent from your PvP Zone and PvE Zone characters. Your PvE character is never wiped. Battle pass progress, on the other hand, is shared across all three modes, and seasonal rewards you unlock can be used everywhere.

PvE characters created before the 1.0 launch never got the release storyline. With 1.2.0.0 those players can Prestige to unlock the story, the Icebreaker chapter and all future events.

Prestige is now in PvE

1.2.0.0 added six Prestige levels to PvE, and the first one has lower requirements than in PvP. Prestiging only resets your PvE profile, and you keep some gear plus up to 50% of your skills and weapon mastery. Most rewards stay on your PvE character only, but a few work in every mode, such as TarCoins, unique dogtags and a unique Gamma container.

Bots behave differently after 1.2.0.0

USEC and BEAR bots are now much more likely to team up and leave each other alone. There is also a small chance a PMC bot stays neutral toward you until you get close or shoot. PMC bots pick fights with Scavs and bosses more often, but they will not shoot first at a player Scav unless you approach or attack them.

Bot gear and difficulty now scale with the bot's level. Low-level bots carry gear you would buy at low trader loyalty levels, while high-level bots show up far better equipped, and maps like The Lab get more of them. Every raid now starts with PMC bots on the map, and The Labyrinth has PMC bots too.

Bosses spawn more often in PvE

According to tarkov.dev data as of 6 October 2026, boss spawn chances are clearly higher in PvE:

Local raids or BSG servers

If "Play on BSG servers" is unticked on the location screen, the raid runs on your own PC, which cuts down matchmaking time. Servers are mandatory on Streets of Tarkov, Icebreaker and Terminal, and whenever you play in a group. Since 1.0.4.0 solo Scav raids can run locally as well. If the game crashes during a local raid, a safeguard added in 1.0.4.5 restores your task progress.

Flea Market and economy

The PvE Flea Market is a separate market made up of PvE players only, and like PvP it unlocks at level 15. Prices form independently in each mode, so do not price your PvE listings off PvP price lists. Since 1.2.0.0 you can buy roubles with real money in PvE; PvP has no such option. Insurance works in PvE, while it is disabled in the seasonal mode.

The quest chains are the same in both modes. Even Ref's chain, which asks for Arena matches, exists as a separate copy in each mode with identical objectives.