[Escape from Tarkov]The most efficient key collecting route 2025 latest complete guide! Securing an average of 15 to 25 keys per raid in Shoreline West Village & Cottage Direct Spring/SOT Drawer 11 Heaven | Detailed strategy for beginners from Scab laps to PMC advanced users

One of the biggest problems for beginners who have just started playing Escape from Tarkov is the lack of keys. Keys are essential items for accessing luxury rooms at resorts and SOTs, and are essential for progressing tasks, making money, and building hideouts. Especially in the early stages of Wipe, it is difficult to obtain rare keys, and many players struggle. However, if you go around spots where jackets, drawers, and safes are concentrated on certain maps, you can efficiently obtain a large number of keys.

In this article, based on the latest patch of 2025 (compatible with 0.16 or later), we will thoroughly explain Shoreline's west side village and cottage area, SOT's Lexos area, cinema, medical care room front, and drawer 11 area. If you follow these routes, you can secure more than 15-25 keys per raid. We mainly recommend Scab sorties, and mainly explain how to minimize risks. When dispatching PMCs, use low-level gear and quickly circle around.

Why is key collection important? Basic knowledge and preparations

Tarkov keys are randomly obtained from jacket pockets, drawers, safes, and specific spawn spots. The jacket has many internal slots, and almost all keys (with the exception of colored keycards and some exceptions) will spawn in it. Drawers also have a high key draw rate, and are especially placed in large numbers on city maps like SOT. The safe is a treasure trove of rare keys, but the lottery depends on luck. Beginners should choose Scab sortie first. Scavs do not lose their PMC equipment even if they die, and auto-equipment is sufficient. Prioritize collecting the small keys in the pouch and leave the jacket on the ground to avoid the risk of death. When PMC, they are equipped with inexpensive firearms such as SKS and MP-153 and minimal bulletproof vests, and move silently. Please limit your orbit time to 10 to 15 minutes, and if you encounter a PMC, prioritize escape immediately. It is very advantageous to check your map knowledge in advance.

Shoreline: Key spots around the cottage (strong direct spring water, perfect for beginners)

Shoreline is easy to access and west areas with low PMC density are best. The area around the cottage has an attractive key shelf and safe, and a jacket can also be used with it. After the Scab sortie, enter through the western tunnel or collapse path and go directly to the cottage via the village.

Cottage 1st floor: Key shelf and free box next to the kitchen

There is a shelf next to the kitchen on the first floor of the cottage where the key will spawn directly. This shelf has a high probability of dropping 1 to 3 keys every raid, and rare keys are likely to appear. The adjacent free box also has a key lottery, making it possible to draw more than 5 times in total. You can also expect to find valuables on the sofa in the kitchen. Please note that the cottage is the spawn location of the Sanitar boss, so please leave immediately when the boss appears. After checking the shelves, immediately move to the second floor.

Cottage 2nd floor: Safe and PC block combo

The safes on the second floor (one without a key and one with a key) are a treasure trove of keys. Search the PC block for the key and thoroughly search the safe. If you enter from the back door, it will be more efficient if you have the Cottage back door key, but it is not necessary when scuba diving. There will also be a jacket and a duffel bag, with over 10 raffle opportunities in total. Yellow key cards may appear between the bookshelves, which will help you progress through the task. The risk is low, and securing 2 to 5 keys is standard.

Hidden hot spring spot behind the cottage

There is an additional direct spring key in a dimly lit space behind the cottage. Keys tend to fall near the wall, making it easy for other players to miss them. If you check here, you can secure 7-10 keys for the entire cottage. To escape, head to the Western Road.

Shoreline West Village: God route with lots of jackets (catch 20 or more)

The west village in front of the cottage is the strongest spot where jackets are concentrated around the houses. If you go around all the houses, you can find over 20 jackets and aim for over 10 keys in one raid. After the Scab sortie, go north from the tunnel and start from the center of the village.

Village house jacket layout details route

1. 1st house near the entrance: There is a jacket at the entrance. Open all internal pockets.
2. Back room: There is a jacket in the center of the room. Check out the wall hangings too.
3. Back room house: There is a jacket in the dimly lit back space.
4. 2 houses in the central section: 1-2 pieces each, 3-4 pieces in total.
5. 2-4 houses in front of the cottage: 1-2 each, total of 4-8.

The entire route takes 5 minutes. Open all the pockets of your jacket row by row, and if you get the keys, put them in the pouch immediately. PMC tends to come from the resort side, so it moves quietly without making any noise. After finishing the village, it is ideal to connect to the cottage and do a combo lap. This route alone covers most of Shoreline key collection.

Village risk avoidance and additional loot

Scab bosses are likely to appear in the village, but prioritize jackets and get through them quickly. Also pick up tools and food, and use them as a money strategy. If you encounter a PMC, hide inside the house and escape immediately. In my experience, you can secure an average of 8 keys with 20 jackets, and on rare occasions a resort key will appear.

SOT (Streets of Tarkov): Drawer dense area ① Around Lexos (10 to 15 drawers)

SOT is a city map with many drawers. Lexos is a medical shelf and drawer heaven. After the Scav sortie, head north from the western entry and head towards Lexos.

Lexos internal details

Check the medical shelf from the main entrance, then scavenge all 10-15 drawers. There is an additional drawer + safe in the hidden room at the back. There is a mine in front of you, so please cross into it. You can draw a total of 20 times using the PC rack. Car dealership director's office room key There is a PC + 2 drawers in the room, and you can aim for rare keys.

Mine avoidance and efficiency tips

The mine is near the front door. Please take a detour along the wall. When scavenging, prioritize boss avoidance. Expected value is 5-8 keys.

SOT drawer dense area ②: Around the cinema (multiple triple drawers/PC6-8)

There are multiple triple drawers in the buildings surrounding the cinema. Check all 6 to 8 drawers + PC racks inside. Regarding Concordia apartment 8 home cinema key, we will focus on key-free areas. Travel southeast from Lexos and reach it in 5 minutes.

You can draw more than 12 times by searching all drawers. You can also add a jacket if you are near Beluga restaurant. We recommend visiting at night as there are many PMCs. You can secure 4 to 6 keys.

SOT drawer crowded area ③: Building in front of the resource room (drawers by floor + safe)

1st floor of the building in front of the resource room: There are 3 drawers and a PC. 2nd floor: There are 4. 3rd floor: There is a safe. There is a drawer in the X-ray room key room, which can also be used for medical supplies. From the cinema, go northwest and use the stairs. If you search all floors, you can win 12 draws. A rare key will appear from the safe. You can secure 3 to 5 keys.

SOT's Strongest Drawer Heaven: 11 Drawer Areas (44 Lottery Possible)

There are 11 drawers in financial institutions and offices near TerraGroup (2 at the entrance, 2 in the center, 1 at the corner, 2 at the back, and 2 at the back of the door). A total of 44 draws are possible with 4 stages each. Financial institution small office key There are 3 drawers + safe + 2 PCs in the room. You can go around as many times as you want with Scab. It's a PMC battleground, but aim for the gaps. 1 raid 10 keys or more is the usual method. Map coordinate confirmation is required.

Collection of small techniques to increase key collection efficiency (required knowledge)

1. Jacket operation: Open all pockets and collect only the keys. Avoid the risk of death by placing it on the ground.
2. Complete drawer: Open all 4 drawers and use a PC rack.
3. Scub Priority: There is no loss when you die and you can learn automatic routes.
4. Time zone selection: Select night or low population servers.
5. Measures against noise: Walk crouched and open the door quietly.
6. Utilize pouches: Give priority to small keys (resort keys, etc.).
7. Market check: Purchase cheap keys to supplement.
8. Skill improvement: Increase Perception and Search to improve the lottery rate.
9. Route recording: Use the Maps app.
10. Risk management: Escape within 20 minutes of one raid.

Summary of key collection priorities and recommended routes

Priority:

1. 11 SOT drawers (highest efficiency)
2. shoreline west village jacket
3. SOT Lexos & Cinema
4. Cottage direct spring
5. In front of the resource room

Example of scab route:

• Shoreline Loop: Enter Tunnel → All Village Houses → All Cottage Floors → Road to Customs Escape (15 minutes, 15 keys)
• SOT full loop: West entrance → Lexos → Cinema → Medical room → 11 consecutive → East escape (20 minutes, 20 keys)
• Mix: Shoreline 3 raid → SOT2 raid alternately.

When using PMC, we recommend the short route from Village to Cottage.

Summary: This completely eliminates the key shortage! Start practicing today

If you master the spots in this guide, the lack of keys in the early stages of Tarkov will be resolved at once. Please repeat the Scab lap around Shoreline's Jacket Festival and SOT's Drawer Heaven. If you steadily accumulate keys while being careful of landmines and PMCs, Resort 328 and the SOT mark key room will be unlocked. Pursue efficiency and enjoy Tarkov life to the fullest.