Escape From Tarkov may be a survival based game, but there are plenty of opportunities for PVP combat. Maps like Shoreline, Interchange, and Factory are impossible to play without getting into at least a few engagements. People that are used to traditional loot and shoot games will have to adjust to the gameplay style and mechanics in Tarkov.
One of the best things about the game is that players can choose how aggressive or defensive they want to be in a raid. With a little research, gamers can get an idea of where all the spawn points and PVP zones are on each map. This guide will cover ten different tips to help Tarkov players improve their prowess in PVP.
There Is Always One More PMC
In 2021, there are more squads and duos in raids than solo players. The balance has shifted over the past year, and it can be difficult to survive as a solo queue. When fighting in areas like the Resort, it is crucial to be ready for a second or third enemy PMC. As a result, running larger mags when seeking out fights is almost essential.
Going up against squads makes looting more dangerous as well. Teammates will come rushing in as soon as they get the callout from their fallen squad member. Players should wait a minute, check angles, and listen for additional footsteps before looting.
Every Gunshot Is Heard By A Dozen Enemies
While it might not always be a dozen, someone on the map will hear every gunshot. PVP will attract other players and teams looking to third party. After downing a player and gathering information, gamers need to be thinking about where another team will be pushing from. In most of the PVP zones in Tarkov, there are only a few different entrances and exits PMCs can travel through. If users down a PMC, their next order of business should be checking for teammates and scanning for third party teams.
Finding A Balance In PVP
Looting and healing are essential when getting into a lot of gunfights during a raid. Players that neglect their heals and are constantly tracking enemies will almost always die. The third step after killing an enemy is to secure the loot. Dead PMCs will have a lot of useful items that will likely be needed in the end game. There is no point in killing a bunch of PMCs if gamers fail to secure the rewards for their hard work. People need to be cautious, but not to a fault.
Mental Preparation
Having the right mentality is important, but this tip will focus on knowing the intricacies of a loadout before getting into fights. A quick mental checklist will make sure survivors are ready to engage enemy teams. People need to know what equipment they have and use that knowledge to fight in the most favorable way possible. A prime example is spotting an enemy far away while using an SMG. Shooting at the PMC will just alert that user and others on the map of the approximate location of the gunfire. Likewise, gamers will commonly have a grenade to use as a breaching tool, but forget and die in the process.
Be The First To React
The passive players are usually the ones that are killed off first. As soon as survivors hear enemy players, they should immediately make a decision on what their plan is. They can be aggressive and push, decide to flank, or get out of the situation altogether. The longer people wait for opponents to make a move, the more likely they will be put in a less than favorable position.
Tarkov is all about anticipation and decisiveness. PMCs will want to react to information as fast as possible before the opposing player can execute a plan of their own. Being aggressive does not imply recklessness. Gamers will have more success if they formulate an effective plan quickly and act on it.
Analyze Every Death
Obviously, there are a lot of moments where death is just inevitable. Getting headshot sniped while rotating to an extraction is a good example. However, there are a lot of lessons to be learned from raid mistakes. Flanks, peeks, and awareness are all skills that are developed through experience. Gamers need to ask themselves what they could have done differently to effect the outcome of a fight. Sometimes there is nothing that could be done differently. The vast majority of deaths are the result of an error on the part of the PMC.
Confident Players Survive
A huge aspect of Tarkov is visual and audio recognition. Players will need to use their senses and trust them to have success in PVP. Far too many players will think they saw something, but second guess their instincts. There are too many dark and hard to see areas in Tarkov to count. Survivors will have to make split second decisions on less than concrete information every single game. Being confident and trusting initial observations will benefit players at all levels.