Tips To Prepare For Server Wipes In Escape From Tarkov (2024)

Escape From Tarkov is a popular hardcore extraction shooter, often considered the pioneer of the genre. The game couples hardcore FPS mechanics with light RPG systems, creating a wholly unique gaming experience. Players must scavenge for resources and complete tasks, all while fending off AI and real players alike.

Escape From Tarkov wipes the servers every 5-8 months. This means all progress is reset and players return to the game on an even footing. Wipes often come with new content and a rush to progress past those early stages. Therefore, preparing for a server wipe is imperative for a player's success.

7 Play Pre-Wipe Events

A Risk-Free Way To Learn The Basics

In the lead-up to an Escape From Tarkov wipe, the game has a number of events that deviate from the standard formula. These often start relatively small, be they more skill experience gain or faster hideout upgrades. As the pre-wipe events progress, however, they get more interesting, often resulting in every boss on a single map and always culminating in an event that makes every trader's item cost 1₽.

Many players see these pre-wipe events as a risk-free way to learn the game. Players do not have to worry about losing their gear as the game is set to wipe, players can also try out nearly any weapon and gear due to the low cost. This makes pre-wipe events the optimal time to learn the game or practice before the wipe.

6 Tweak Settings

Optimize Your Performance So It's Perfect For After The Server Wipe

It's no secret that Escape From Tarkov is a relatively performance-heavy title. This performance demand is only further increased on certain maps, such as Streets of Tarkov. Despite optimization increases over the years, Escape From Tarkov still won't run flawlessly on every machine without some tweaking.

It is advised that players ensure their settings are correct and allow the best performance possible. This can be done anytime before the wipe, so players can rest easy knowing their game is optimized by the time the wipe comes. This extends to other settings too, like sensitivity or keybindings. It's especially helpful for players who might have not played in a while and thus need to find their preferential settings for newer features like vaulting.

5 Play PVE Mode

Practice Outside The Boundaries Of The Server Wipe

Escape From Tarkov has a PvE mode, accessible for free to players with the Edge of Darkness or Unheard editions, or available with a separate purchase. This mode does not have any other real players and does not wipe.

The PvE mode is the perfect way for newer players to practice task progression and increase their map knowledge. It also serves a purpose for seasoned players, allowing them to prepare and optimize routes for completing the tasks fast at the start of the wipe. Players can then transfer their skills and knowledge to the start of the wipe on live servers. PvE mode also helps players learn to fight the bosses and other difficult AI enemies without the risk of other players getting involved.

4 Plan Early Quest Progression

Plan Ahead To Avoid Hot Spots

The main progression system for most Escape From Tarkov is completing tasks. Every player has the same tasks to complete that take them through multiple maps and give them a plethora of objectives to complete.

Not only is the knowledge of these tasks important, be it weapons to use or locations to go, but players can also use knowledge of tasks to avoid hot spots. For example, all players need to start on Ground Zero (or reach level 15). However, knowledge and planning could see players choose to go and unlock Jaeger on Woods after the task 'Saving the Mole.' This would mean they do not have to focus on every single Ground Zero task to begin with. Equally, players could choose to hold off on the Ground Zero tasks until the map is quieter after day one of the wipe and pursue early task items like Salewas and food for Jaeger, so they have the later progression secured.

Stay Informed On Everything The Game Doesn't Tell You

Escape From Tarkov is a difficult game that does not always inform the players, be it lackluster in-game maps or no information on where to find task items. This is why Escape From Tarkov has a dedicated community of creators who serve to inform the player-base using external websites and tools.

Examples of this include the EFT Wiki that gives players information on everything from tasks to hideout requirements. Another incredibly helpful tool is MapGenie, which provides interactive maps to aid players in their navigation. Players should bookmark or save these websites so they have them ready for the start of the wipe.

2 Know The Items You Need To Keep

Faster Task And Hideout Progression

A huge element within Escape From Tarkov is collecting items that tasks require or that are needed for the hideout. These can be collected at any stage and saved until they are needed, unlike the unique task items that require the task to be active.

The Escape From Tarkov developers have made the hideout portion of this slightly easier, as required hideout items are now signified by a symbol on the item in the UI. However, knowledge of items that will be needed for both tasks and the hideout in the future ensures smooth task progression, ensuring players need not rely on the random chance to find certain items. This means players are less likely to have their progression blocked by tasks that cannot be easily or quickly completed.

1 Take A Break

Go Into The Wipe Refreshed And Ready For Action

Escape From Tarkov is a strenuous and time-consuming game. By design, the game is difficult and unforgiving, as is common for the extraction shooter genre. As a result, players may burn out and become annoyed or tired by the gameplay loop. There are plenty of similar titles that can provide players a break from Escape From Tarkov.

If players feel as though they don't need the practice (or aren't interested in practicing), then the pre-wipe is the perfect time to take a break from Escape From Tarkov if they intend to play a lot when the game wipes. Players can rest easy in the knowledge they aren't missing out on progression, as the game will be wiping shortly after the pre-wipe events start. Taking a break can give players the chance to refresh themselves and often proves to be the best way to avoid burnout and prepare for an upcoming wipe.

Escape from Tarkov

Shooter

Survival

Systems

Platform(s)

PC

Released

July 27, 2017

Developer(s)

Battlestate Games

Publisher(s)

Battlestate Games