[2025 Latest Edition]Escape from Tarkov Complete Beginner's Guide | Thorough explanation of Tarkov's operations, equipment, recovery, money strategies, and survival techniques[Strategies]

Escape from Tarkov, also known as Tarkov, is the gold standard for survival FPS where you survive grueling raids and take home the spoils. The biggest appeal of this game is the sense of tension and accomplishment that comes from its realistic system. Many beginners feel frustrated because they repeatedly die instantly in their first raid. However, if you acquire the correct knowledge, your survival rate will dramatically improve.

In this article, we will comprehensively explain the basic knowledge that beginners should learn first, compatible with the latest version as of 2025. We will explain step-by-step everything from faction selection to operation, equipment management, recovery system, and money making methods. After reading this, you will be able to take on raids with confidence.

1. Basic concepts of Tarkov and the basis of faction selection

Tarkov's gameplay is simple. Select equipment from your stash and go on a raid. Collect items on the map and aim for the escape point while fighting enemy PMCs and NPC Scabs. If you successfully escape, the items you bring back will be yours, but if you die, you will lose them all. This “risk of losing” is the core of the game. Beginners should first practice operations in offline mode. Practice mode allows infinite respawns and no death penalties.

After creating an account, the first step is to select a faction. The main choices are BEAR and USEC. BEAR has a high affinity for eastern weapons such as the AK series, and is characterized by a tough style that emphasizes durability. On the other hand, USEC is recommended for beginners because Western weapons such as M4 and MP5 are easy to handle and have easy recoil control. Choose your faction carefully, as it can only be changed during a wipe. If you choose USEC, the initial equipment will include M4A1 and MP5, which will greatly improve the ease of handling in the early stages. BEAR's AK-74M is powerful, but the recoil is strong, so practice is required.

Edition differences are also important. The standard version has less stash space and requires expansion. In the premium version and above, the initial stash is large and it's like buying time. The language setting can be changed to Japanese from the main menu, making the UI easier to understand. After selecting a faction, you can customize your appearance on the character creation screen, but this does not affect performance.

2. How to use the main menu and stash

There are basically four main menus: PMC sortie, Scab sortie, offline, and character screen. Stash is an item warehouse and is managed in a grid format. Place equipment with drag and drop and expand capacity with rigs and backpacks. Beginners buy junk boxes in bulk and organize their stash. Use pouches to avoid excess weight. The pouch is the only insurance that will survive your death. Prioritize expensive items, medical supplies, and food.

It is convenient to save preset equipment configurations. Right-click to save and load when PMC sorties. The trader screen is accessed from the top tab and accepts tasks. Tasks are all about game progression. The rewards will increase your trader level and unlock new items. Hideout collects materials and strengthens it, increasing recovery speed and unlocking crafting functions. Beginners prioritize generators and washrooms.

3. Role of Trader Task Hideout

The traders are Prapor, Therapist, Skier, Peacekeeper, Mechanic, Ragman, Jaeger, and Fence. Progress each trader's tasks in parallel and increase their level. Prioritize Prapor and Therapist in the early stages. Many of the tasks are of the “collect and pass” and “kill” types, and you can complete common tasks at Ground Zero.

Hideout is the foundation of life. Customize weapons using Workbench. Power is supplied by the Generator. Improve natural recovery with Lavatory. Hidden stashes at interchanges are efficient materials. Although the Bitcoin farm is on the back burner, it is possible to make money by collecting Grabo. Get free Scav gear with Scav Case and accelerate your money making.

4. Difference between PMC and Scab and correct usage

PMCs deploy with their own equipment and suffer total losses due to deaths. Scavs spawn with free random equipment and no death penalty. Escape will transfer your equipment to your PMC stash. Beginners use Scab for money management and practice. The cooldown is 15-20 minutes, but the turnover rate is high. NPC Scavs are allies, but avoid turning them into enemies with pointless attacks. Press Y twice to use hand signals to communicate.

Recommended scab maps are Factory, Customs, and Woods. You can earn 30,000 to 100,000 by returning directly from the Factory. Fence reliability increases and equipment quality improves.

5. Equipment basics: the importance of headsets, armor, and pouches

A headset is essential for localizing footsteps. ComTac2 is best in the early stages. Armor will prioritize classes 3-4. Prevents bullet penetration. The pouch is for medical and monetary items only. Backpacks expand capacity, but be careful of death loss. Make sure the magazine is fully loaded. The aim is to insure it and have it returned in the event of death.

As for weapons, PP1901 and PPSH are suitable for beginners. Low recoil and cheap. Ammunition is a foot shot with emphasis on meat damage.

6. Survival management: Hunger, water, physical strength system

During the raid, energy and water will decrease, and if it reaches 0, you will risk instant death. Keep cheese and a water bottle in your pouch and replenish frequently. Health is divided into head, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs, and if the head and chest reach 0, you will die instantly. When your legs reach 0, you will be unable to run. When you are hungry, your vision becomes blurry.

Boost natural recovery with Hideout's Lavatory. This is the top cause of death for beginners.

7. Complete explanation of recovery system

Recovery is complicated, but the priority is stopping severe bleeding, treating fractures, pain medication, and regaining strength. Treat bleeding with a hemostatic agent. Painkillers will allow you to run when your leg is destroyed. The surgery kit restores 0 parts to 1. IFAK, AFAK and Grizzly do combined recovery. Speed ​​up by canceling.

AI-2 recovers 100 HP. I always keep 5 sets in my pouch.

8. Summary of operation basics, combat techniques, and financial strategies

Key settings are lean, time check, and quick reload. C to crouch, X to go prone, and Alt to hold your breath. Maps are used in conjunction with external tools. Press O twice to display the escape display. Lean into the view and take an advantageous position on the left wall.

To make money, scavenge and increase your trader level by prioritizing tasks.

To summarize, the five points that are most important for factions are USEC recommendation, task ordering, pouch utilization, scab money policy, and recovery priority. If you accumulate knowledge while dying, you can lead to a 100% survival rate. Enjoy Tarkov!