When You Finally Understand Tarkov

Tarkov as we all know, is easily one of the hardest extraction shooters to learn. But just as a game with tons of systems and mechanics layered on top of each other, it’s incredibly daunting to even try to figure out the basics, especially as a new player. But one thing is for sure, when all the gears in your head start working together, raids become less stressful due to a sheer lack of information and critical knowledge and you can just play and appreciate Tarkov for what it is; when you finally get Tarkov, there is no better feeling in the world. The maps are coherent and make sense; attachments, weapons, and ammunition aren’t this periodic table that you need to figure out, and you start to just appreciate the game for what it is, despite all its flaws and shortcomings. No game is perfect, and Tarkov has a ton of issues still relevant from years ago, but there is something special about understanding this game at a deeper level. Because what happens then, is if you’re a weirdo like me, you go against the grain and use wacky weapon setups, armors or play in an obtuse style. There’s nothing wrong with playing to win and succeed, but there is something cool about intentionally not playing at a full capacity and being able to still extract and survive. The learning process for Escape From Tarkov is as tough as it gets, but it’s easily one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences out there.

Just taking the game at a base value, what do you realistically need to learn to get the basics of Tarkov? There are a ton of possible correct answers, but to me, the most important components that will make you lose if you don’t understand them are knowing the medical system and of course the extractions and maps. Being able to keep your character alive is critical because for the longest time when I was new, bleeds and fractures were some of the earliest reasons why I would slowly just lose health until I eventually fell over and didn’t understand why. Knowing that each body part has its own health pool and what happens should any of them drop to zero is the first step to preventing that from happening. Keeping the right kinds of medications on you in the event you come across those problem points and knowing what to heal first and when, is a skill set you will develop as you play. Once you know how to stay alive, getting back to safety is the next major priority. Sure, you can pull up the wiki and look at a map as you work your way through it, but knowing major landmarks and the general flow of player movement is again, something that will be learned with time and experience.

Let’s use the map customs as an example because that map is generally the most generous with explaining how to work your way through it. Because the shape of the map is kind of just a wide rectangle, depending on where you spawn, you usually just have to go in one direction. Unlike Reserve, where the map is squarer and there isn’t this single direction, you need to travel for extraction. If you spawn on big red side, you got to work your way across the bridge and get to the boiler side of the map. But on Reserve, Unless you have access to some of the special extractions, your options are the bunker door which you need to get across to press the button and then work your way back, or wait for the train and catch a ride on it. It’s a tough map to stay safe and survive on because everyone kind of has their own game plan and you will most likely run into someone when you least expect it. Where on customs, since you know people are either going the same direction as you or coming towards you, fights are a tiny bit more predictable because you know the possibility or running into another player is high. So, knowing how to work your way through the maps is huge for keeping you safe and ready for whenever a fight is about to break out. Of course, this game is so much more than just healing and map knowledge, but for a brand-new player to stay calm and to not panic, these two at least in my eyes are fundamental for building the foundation of your Tarkov knowledge. Ammunition is important too because how many players fired at someone thinking they would just fall over, only to tank the entire magazine, turn around and finish them off? We’ve all been there, and it’s the most infuriating and humiliating experience to have to live through. And once you put the reps in and understand the game at a basic level, that’s when you begin to notice all the little things in the game and find a deeper appreciation for them in some way, shape or form.

As dumb as this is about to sound, learning Tarkov can be fun. Like anything in life that you are dedicated towards getting better at, there are moments where you can actually feel yourself getting better. And this is no exception in Tarkov. You start using better gear, you anticipate fights more often and are better prepared for them, you begin to loot with more purpose, and surviving a wild raid makes you feel like a god. Which in turn allows you to appreciate the little things across the game. The world itself and how detailed it is, the weapons and how accurate they are to their real-life counterparts, the ambient audio across the world and just how much there is to do and accomplish in this game. It can absolutely feel like a grindy mess that was designed for a very niche and specific group of players, but you can’t say that there isn’t anything to do in Tarkov. Tons of quests with a whole main story to work through with some of the best PvP engagements in a shooter out there. Again, there aren’t a lot of multiplayer titles out there that get my heart rate up and have me thinking so many steps ahead when coming up with a game plan. But it’s nice that even after all these years, Tarkov can still facilitate that almost primal urge to fight other players. And that experience is at its peak when you finally understand the game and simply get it.

What do I mean when I say get it? When you finally understand the game and what it’s asking of you, when combat can still be messy but for the most part you feel like you’re in control, when you take in information across the maps you play on and lean into that extra knowledge to either avoid fights altogether or ambush a player that was not expecting you, these moments get you to understand why this game can be so addicting at times. For all the problems and crap the game can and will throw your way; if you can persevere through it and make it to the next survived status, that alone makes it all worth it in the end. It’s a shame this game still has as many problems as it does. Can you imagine how much more fun and enticing it would be if even half of the issues were resolved a long time ago? I mean both in terms of mechanics as well as optimization and performance. It would easily be one of the best shooters out there right now.

But sadly, this property is lagging behind in a lot of those fronts and are pushing people towards different options that are now available. Which I mean, competition is always good in a market or genre; it forces creativity and actually making something that people want. When there is only one option, the people making it usually ruin it. Which we are literally living through right now and have been for years. Tangent aside, A lot of the skills and knowledge you learn in Tarkov can be applied to other games in the genre which is cool. Obviously, it’s not a 1:1 relationship, but after you play even just one of these games your confidence and ability to play more of the grows. And it usually doesn’t take as long to become proficient in those other titles. But at least to me, nothing has given me the bug like Tarkov. Nothing gets me as excited when everything goes right like Tarkov. Nothing brings me more despair and pain when it all falls apart like Tarkov. And I think there is something special in that. For better or worse.

When you finally understand Tarkov, it’s like the largest lightbulb ever made just goes off and suddenly the world opens up. All of a sudden, this insanely obtuse and difficult game just becomes a little easier. Bit by bit; mechanic by mechanic. Things unravel in front of you. Every mistake is a lesson learned for next time, and you soon find yourself with a wealth of knowledge that is all derived because of your efforts. This is a game where patience and being able to accept death at any moment will pay dividends in the long run. Of course, because it’s Tarkov, there is always room for frustration and swearing the game off. But it usually isn’t long before most people find themselves coming back for more. And I think there is something both funny and magical that Tarkov can illicit such a response from someone. One more raid, one more quest, one more goal. It never really ends, does it? Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to watch this video. Let me know down in the comment section below your thoughts on when players finally get Tarkov, how long it took you to figure it out, what was the moment where it finally happened and be sure to subscribe for more videos about that nuance and appreciation for the little interactions that happen across a complex game like Tarkov that give it so much more life.