Escape from Tarkov Beginner Guide: First Wipe Tips

Tarkov left beta with the 1.0 release on 15 November 2025, and that update added the two tools that make the early game survivable: a proper in-game tutorial and a separate PvE mode. Most new players ignore both and wonder why they are broke. The first week is about building a stash, not winning fights.

Step 1: use the tutorial and Offline mode

Complete the tutorial — it covers movement, stamina, looting, ammo types, armor penetration, healing and extraction with zero risk to your stash. Then use Offline (Practice) mode from the raid screen to walk any map with no enemies: learn spawns, extracts, loot routes and sightlines before spending a single rouble.

Step 2: run Scavs before PMCs

Your Scav runs free, fills your stash, and teaches one extract per map without risking your own gear. Build a stash and learn the flow on Scav, then move to cheap PMC kits on Customs.

Step 3: learn maps in order

Ground Zero first (compact, bonus XP, level-20 matchmaking), then Customs (mandatory early quests), then Woods (calm Scav farming and audio training). Full reasoning in the best maps for beginners guide. Avoid Factory, Streets and Labs early.

Step 4: ammo over gun

A cheap gun with good ammo beats an expensive gun with bad ammo. A 7.62x39 BP round pens class-4 plates for a few hundred roubles; a tricked-out rifle with weak ammo does not. The best ammo guide breaks down the right round per caliber.

Step 5: quest XP over kills

Follow the Prapor and Therapist quest chains early — they hand out large XP lumps and rouble rewards that also unlock trader loyalty. Do not insure anything you cannot afford to lose twice.

First-week checklist

• Day 1–2: Tutorial + Offline on Ground Zero and Customs.
• Day 3–5: Scav runs only — build stash, learn one extract per map.
• Day 6+: PMC quests on Customs with cheap kits; insure nothing you cannot replace.

Always run headphones — audio is half the game. Extract early when you are heavy; the longer you stay, the more likely you meet ARC density or another squad. The money guide explains how to turn that first stash into lasting roubles.