Master EFT From Day One: A Beginner’s Survival Guide

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Understanding The Basics Of EFT

Before diving into your first raid, it’s essential to understand what Escape From Tarkov actually is. Unlike traditional shooters, EFT blends hardcore FPS mechanics with RPG-style progression and survival game systems. At its core, it’s about entering a raid, gathering loot, and extracting without dying, easier said than done.

Many new players fail early on not because of bad aim or poor reflexes, but because they don’t fully grasp how the game is structured or what’s really at stake. This section gives you the foundational knowledge you need to start Tarkov the right way.

PMC vs SCAV: Two ways to enter raids

In Escape From Tarkov, there are two playable characters:

PMC (Private Military Contractor)
Your main character. You bring in your own gear, complete quests, and level up. If you die, everything you brought into the raid is lost unless it’s insured and not looted.
SCAV (Scavenger)
A side character you can run with on a cooldown. Scavs spawn mid-raid with randomized gear and no risk to your PMC inventory. Anything you extract with goes into your stash.

Tip: Use SCAV runs early and often to build gear without risking your PMC loadout.

What are raids?

A raid is a live match on one of Tarkov’s maps, where you spawn with a random group of players and AI (Scavs and bosses). Your goal is to loot, survive, and extract before the timer runs out, or before someone kills you.

Raids are 30–50 minutes long and contain:

Lootable items (e.g. weapons, food, quest items, valuables)
Other players (PMCs and SCAVs) looking to kill you or do the same
Extraction points, which are your only way out

Terminology you need to know

Tarkov uses a lot of in-game jargon. Here’s a quick reference table of terms every new player should know:

Term	Meaning
PMC	Your main character, higher risk, higher reward
SCAV	Side character run, randomized gear, no risk to your stash
Extraction	A specific location on the map where you must escape
Flea Market	Player-driven marketplace unlocked at level 15
Hideout	Your personal base where you craft, heal, and passively generate items
Insurance	A paid service that may return your lost gear if no one else loots it
Wipe	A full server reset that happens every few months to restart progression

For more on this and other common gameplay mechanics, check out our full Tarkov product page, which also outlines how our tools work to assist players in navigating raids and combat.

Death has real consequences

One of the most unique aspects of Tarkov is that death means you lose everything you’re carrying, guns, armor, meds, keys, ammo, even your backpack. Only the items inside your Secure Container are guaranteed to come back with you. That’s why smart planning, stealth, and knowing your extracts are far more valuable than just good aim.

Unlike other shooters where you respawn and retry instantly, Tarkov punishes every mistake. But it also rewards smart, methodical play.

Practice with offline mode

To avoid risking gear while you learn, Tarkov has an offline mode available when selecting a raid with your PMC. It lets you:

Load into any map
Turn off AI or add PvE bots
Practice movement, shooting, looting, and extraction

Offline mode is perfect for learning new maps, checking gun recoil, and understanding extract locations, all without consequence.

Prepare For Your First EFT Raid

Your first few PMC raids will be the most nerve-wracking. You’ll likely be undergeared, unsure of where to go, and constantly second-guessing whether that sound was a bush rustle or an enemy about to end your run. The good news? Everyone starts here, and preparation makes all the difference.

This section breaks down how to get raid-ready, without losing your entire stash on your first attempt.

Don’t bring what you can’t afford to lose

The #1 beginner mistake in Tarkov is loading up with your best gear right away. In this game, gear is not permanent, if you die, it’s gone (unless insured and not looted).

Beginner tip: Until you’re confident in navigating maps and surviving PvP encounters, stick to budget-friendly kits. These allow you to learn from mistakes without losing your top-tier loot.

Use SCAV raids to build starter gear

Your SCAV runs are your secret weapon as a beginner. They give you free gear and a low-risk way to build up your stash. Extract with any decent backpack, weapon, or healing items, then save that gear for when you want to enter as your PMC.

You can also sell unused SCAV gear to traders to build up early rubles for essentials like meds and ammo.

Insure your PMC gear, but understand the limits

Tarkov allows you to insure your items through traders like Prapor and Therapist. If no one loots your gear (or if it’s too hidden to be found), it may return to you after a day or two.

Insurance Provider	Cost	Return Speed	Notes
Prapor	Low	Slower	Good value for early gear
Therapist	Higher	Faster	Useful for high-tier items

Keep in mind: If a player or SCAV loots your gear, it’s gone forever.

Suggested beginner loadout (PMC)

Here’s a simple, affordable starter kit for your first raids. Don’t worry about being undergeared, focus on survival, not kills.

Slot	Recommended Item	Why It Works
Weapon	VEPR KM / MP-153	Cheap, effective, easy to use
Ammo	Proper matching ammo (e.g. PS, 7mm)	Ammo quality matters more than gun tier
Armor	PACA / 6B23-1	Basic Class 2–3 protection
Headset	GSSH-01 or any available	Hear footsteps more clearly
Backpack	MBSS or SCAV BP	Room for loot, low risk if lost
Meds	Salewa / AI-2 + Painkillers	For bleeding and fractures
Container	Bandages, keys, splints	Always safe on death

To learn how ESP and loot radar can help identify key items without wasting time or risking ambushes, check out our EFT product page.

Practice offline before going live

Before risking any PMC gear, use offline raids to:

Practice map navigation
Try out your weapon’s recoil
Locate extraction points
Test healing mid-fight

Enable PvE bots for combat practice, or turn them off to freely explore. No progress is saved, so don’t expect loot, just experience.

EFT Beginner-Friendly Maps

Escape From Tarkov features a range of complex, detailed maps, each with unique layouts, loot pools, spawn points, and danger zones. For new players, jumping between multiple maps can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to start small: learn one map well before moving on to others.

In this section, we’ll break down three of the most beginner-friendly maps and explain what makes each a good choice when you’re still learning the ropes.

Recommended maps for beginners

Below are three maps new players tend to have the most success on, along with their advantages and challenges:

Map	Pros	Cons
Customs	– Early quest location- Decent PvE/PvP balance- Good mid-tier loot	– Linear layout can funnel players into conflict- Busy during peak times
Woods	– Open and spacious- Easy to extract- Great for sniping practice	– Few landmarks- Harder to navigate without map knowledge
Interchange	– High-value loot (Tech stores, Mantis)- Indoor PvE focus- Strong SCAV farming	– Complex, multi-level mall layout- Extraction points can be risky

Why these maps work for new players

Customs is often considered the default starter map. Many early quests (from Prapor and Therapist) send you here. It teaches close-quarters combat and forces you to learn basic extraction routes. While PvP-heavy, it helps develop your situational awareness quickly.

Woods is more forgiving, especially for players who prefer stealth and long-range gameplay. You’ll encounter less aggressive PvP early on, giving you space to explore and learn the mechanics of healing, looting, and extraction.

Interchange, despite its complexity, is great for players who want to focus on loot-heavy PvE runs. Once you learn the layout of the mall, it becomes a profitable map with good scavenging potential, especially for SCAV runs.

Pro Tip: Stick to one map early

Instead of hopping between maps, commit to learning one map thoroughly. You’ll memorize spawn points, loot zones, extraction routes, and common PvP hotspots much faster. This familiarity builds confidence and reduces the number of “panic deaths” caused by getting lost or ambushed.

Need help learning layouts? Interactive maps like MapGenie’s Tarkov tools offer detailed overlays with loot, extracts, and spawns, perfect for building early knowledge.

Healing, Health & Damage Types Explained

Escape From Tarkov takes realism to the next level, and nowhere is that more obvious than in its health system. Instead of a simple health bar, you’re managing a limb-based health model with bleeding, fractures, pain, and more. Understanding how healing works early on is crucial, especially if you want to survive long enough to extract with loot.

This section simplifies EFT’s medical mechanics so you can stay alive, or at least not bleed out in a bush somewhere.

Health in EFT is limb-based, not just HP

Your body in Tarkov is divided into segments:

Head
Thorax (chest)
Stomach
Arms (Left/Right)
Legs (Left/Right)

Each limb has its own HP. If a critical part, like your head or thorax, hits zero, you die instantly, no matter how much health your other limbs have.

Non-lethal limb damage still comes with consequences:

Blacked limbs (0 HP) become unusable or impaired
Blacked legs = slower movement, staggered walking
Blacked arms = shaky aim and slow reloads
Blacked stomach = faster hydration and energy loss

Bleeds, fractures & pain

EFT doesn’t just stop at limb damage, injuries come with side effects. Here’s what to watch for:

Light Bleed – Slower HP loss; use bandages or AI-2 to stop
Heavy Bleed – Rapid HP loss; only stopped by tourniquets or bloodstoppers
Fractures – Slows movement and causes extra pain; splint required
Pain – Screen shake, poor aim; reduce with painkillers

Tip: Heavy bleeding is one of the biggest early-game killers. If your screen shows a large red blood icon, you need to treat it fast or you’ll be dead in seconds, even if you’re just walking.

Med items: What they do and when to use them

Here’s a beginner-friendly table of medical items you’re likely to encounter early on and what they’re used for:

Item	Use	Treats	Secure Container-Friendly?
AI-2	Basic healing	Light wounds (no bleeds)	✅
Bandage	Stops light bleeding	Light Bleeds	✅
Army Bandage / AFAK	Faster bleed stopping	Light & Heavy Bleeds	✅
Painkillers	Reduce pain temporarily	Pain, Fracture effects	✅
Splint	Fixes one fracture	Fractures	✅
Salewa	Advanced healing	Light injuries, small bleeds	✅
CMS Kit	Surgery to fix blacked limbs	Removes limb black state	❌ (takes up more space)
Surv12 Kit	Stronger surgical kit	Fixes more HP on blacked limbs	❌

To avoid losing critical meds in a fight, keep at least one healing item and one painkiller in your Secure Container so they’re never lost, even if you die.

Pro healing tips for beginners

Always heal before looting, someone may still be nearby
Hotkey your meds so you can heal fast in combat (e.g. AI-2 on [4], Painkillers on [5])
If you’re limping or shaking, take painkillers before combat or sprinting
Bring at least one bleed-stopping item per raid, heavy bleeds are deadly
Learn to identify injuries by HUD: red = damaged limb, white = fracture, blood = bleeding

If you want extra situational awareness to avoid surprise ambushes or identify med spawns faster, check out the Elocarry EFT cheat, which includes loot ESP and visibility checks, especially helpful for beginners still figuring out map layouts.

Listen Before You Loot & Shoot

In Escape From Tarkov, sound isn’t just an immersion tool, it’s a weapon. One of the quickest ways to improve your survival rate as a beginner is to understand just how loud you really are. Running, jumping, looting, healing, every action creates noise, and enemies who hear you first often win the fight.

This section teaches you how to play smarter, stay quiet, and use sound to your advantage, even if your gunfights still need work.

Movement noise can get you killed

Every movement you make in Tarkov is audible. The heavier your gear and the faster you move, the more noise you produce.

Here’s what makes the most sound:

Sprinting: Easily heard through multiple rooms or floors
Jumping or landing: Loud and directional
Running on metal: Extremely loud (catwalks, stairs)
Bushes: Crackling noise gives you away instantly

On the flip side, walking slowly, crouching, or stopping entirely makes you much harder to detect. Many experienced players crouch-walk by default, especially indoors or when approaching high-traffic areas.

Tip: If you’re walking through bushes or over wood/metal, stop frequently and listen, you may hear someone doing the same on the other side of a wall.

Stealth over speed, survival > kills

Tarkov isn’t a run-and-gun shooter. While killing enemies can be rewarding, it’s not always the smartest move, especially if you’re a beginner. You don’t have to win every fight to succeed. Often, it’s better to disengage, reposition, or extract.

Success in Tarkov is defined by:

Extracting with loot
Surviving to complete quests
Learning and improving per raid

Pick your fights carefully. If you hear someone nearby, it’s often better to wait, reposition, or even sneak away than try to force a firefight.

Audio cues that save your life

Tarkov’s sound design gives you clues that many beginners ignore. Here are some sounds to listen for and what they mean:

Sound Type	Example	What It Tells You
Footsteps	Walking, sprinting, crouch-walking	Direction, speed, number of enemies
Metal impact	Stairs, catwalks, storage areas	Enemy moving above/below you
Doors opening	Breachable doors, lootable rooms	Enemy entering or searching
Healing sounds	Bandage wrapping, injection hiss	Enemy healing nearby (vulnerable moment)
Reloading	Loud and distinct	Enemy low on ammo or reloading, engage or push

You’ll start to recognize not just where someone is, but what they’re doing, which gives you an edge in both defense and ambushes.

Learn your extracts, don’t die while wandering

A huge mistake beginners make is surviving a fight, grabbing great loot, and then dying because they didn’t know where to extract. Always:

Check your extracts before moving too deep into a map
Use MapGenie or printed maps as a reference
Use offline mode to memorize extract locations without risking gear

Early survival depends less on fighting skill and more on map knowledge and decision-making. Sound awareness is one part of that puzzle, extraction knowledge is the other.

Looting, Selling & Surviving the Economy

In Escape From Tarkov, looting is only half the job, the real challenge is deciding what’s worth taking and how to turn it into rubles. The in-game economy is player-driven and complex, but there are smart ways to make money early without getting overwhelmed.

This section covers the essentials: what to loot, how to sell, and which upgrades help you build sustainable income.

Not everything is worth picking up

A classic beginner mistake is stuffing your backpack with anything and everything. But your stash space is limited, and so is your in-raid carry capacity. The key is learning what has real value, both in terms of price and crafting potential.

Items you should prioritize early on:

High-value barter items (e.g. Graphics Cards, Power Cords, USBs)
Meds (Salewas, AI-2s, Morphine)
Hideout materials (Bolts, Screws, Fuel, Wires, Hoses)
Early quest items (like Gas Analyzers or Secure Flash Drives)

Tip: Use Tarkov Market to check item values before raids, or screenshot a list of top-selling items to reference in-raid.

Traders vs. Flea Market: When to sell where

Once you extract with loot, it’s time to sell. But who you sell to makes a big difference. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Selling Option	When to Use It	Pros	Cons
Traders	Early-game sales and quick rubles	Fast sales, no listing fees	Lower value than Flea Market
Flea Market	After Level 15 unlock, for player selling	Higher profits, market-driven	Listing fees, price fluctuation

Early on, you’ll rely heavily on Traders like:

Therapist for meds and barter items
Mechanic for weapon parts
Ragman for clothing and gear

Once you unlock the Flea Market at level 15, you can start listing high-value items for maximum profit. Just be careful, selling at a loss or overpricing can quickly drain your rubles due to listing fees.

Early Hideout upgrades that generate passive value

Your Hideout isn’t just for healing, it can help you generate money and resources over time. Here are three beginner-friendly upgrades to prioritize:

Module	Why it’s useful
Medstation	Craft healing items (Salewa, CMS, etc.)
Workbench	Craft ammo, weapon parts, and barter items
Generator	Powers Hideout, required for most crafts

Stock your generator with fuel, keep crafting queued up, and check back often to collect finished products. Many crafts can be sold for a significant profit, especially early wipes when the market is still volatile.

Tip: Use your SCAV runs to gather crafting materials for your Hideout instead of selling them all. Long-term, the ROI is often better.

Avoid the “Loot Goblin” trap

Just because you can pick it up doesn’t mean you should. Over-looting leads to:

Slower movement (due to weight)
Loud gear noise
Less room for high-value items
Increased risk of dying before you extract

Stick to a simple rule early on: If it won’t sell for at least 10,000₽ or help you with quests/crafting, leave it behind.

Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid In Escape From Tarkov

Tarkov’s learning curve is steep, but many of the early deaths and frustrations come from avoidable mistakes. As a beginner, understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing the right strategies. This section highlights the most common beginner pitfalls, and how to dodge them like a pro.

Whether you’re trying to survive your first few raids or wondering why your stash is always empty, this list is your shortcut to smarter play.

7 beginner mistakes that can ruin your early EFT raids

Bringing in too much gear you can’t afford to lose
Don’t bring your best armor or guns into early raids. Until you’re surviving consistently, stick with budget kits or use SCAV runs to gear up.
Forgetting to learn extracts before entering a raid
You should never go into a map without knowing your extraction points. Always check them at the start of the raid (hit O twice), and learn their locations using offline mode or tools like MapGenie.
Looting before securing the area
It’s tempting to start looting right after a kill or SCAV drop, but someone may have heard the gunshots. Clear the area and listen before you dig through backpacks.
Ignoring sound cues
Running loudly, reloading in the open, or jumping constantly gives away your position. Play it slow, crouch when near high-traffic areas, and always stop to listen.
Healing too late (or not at all)
If you’re bleeding or fractured, fix it before looting or fighting again. Bring meds that cover bleeds, fractures, and pain, and hotkey them for quick access.
Over-looting low-value items
You don’t need to fill every slot. Learn what’s worth taking (see the previous section), and prioritize high-value, low-weight items to reduce noise and extract faster.
Not upgrading the Hideout early
Many players delay upgrading the Hideout, missing out on passive crafting and healing. Unlock Medstation, Generator, and Workbench early for long-term gains.

Reinforce these habits for better survival

Play slow and safe, Tarkov rewards patience.
Always check your extracts before moving deep into a map.
Keep one healing item and one painkiller in your Secure Container.
Avoid loud movement when you don’t need it.
Use SCAV runs to learn without risking gear.
Review deaths after every raid and ask yourself: What could I have done differently?

If you’re struggling to recognize threats or keep dying to unseen players, Elocarry’s cheat for EFT can help improve awareness with ESP, visibility checks, and item filters, especially useful for beginners trying to stay alive long enough to extract and learn.

Long-Term EFT Progression Tips

Once you’ve survived a few raids, started building up some gear, and gotten comfortable with a map or two, the next challenge is figuring out what to focus on next. Escape From Tarkov rewards long-term planning and consistent habits. While the early game is about survival, the mid to late game becomes a grind, unlocking new traders, accessing better gear, and optimizing your stash and Hideout.

This section is all about building sustainable progression so you can move from barely surviving to consistently profiting.

Complete quests to unlock gear & traders

Quests (also called tasks) are a major part of Tarkov’s progression system. Completing them does three key things:

Unlocks gear and item access through traders
Gives you rubles, XP, and stash rewards
Increases loyalty level (LL) with traders

Start with early tasks from:

Prapor: Weapon-focused quests and ammo access
Therapist: Meds, containers, and rubles
Skier: Guns and attachments
Jaeger (unlocked via Mechanic): Survival-focused tasks

Many quests also help you explore maps naturally and guide your raid objectives, which makes them perfect for new players looking for direction.

Upgrade your hideout consistently

Once you’ve completed the early introductory quests, shift focus toward your Hideout. A well-upgraded Hideout gives you:

Passive healing
Crafting for meds, ammo, and gear
Fuel-based generators for long-term crafting
Bitcoin farm (eventually) for passive income

Key early upgrades include:

Medstation: For crafting Salewas and CMS kits
Workbench: Ammo and barter item crafts
Generator: Needed for most advanced crafting
Water Collector: Enables hydration crafts and synergy with other modules

Hideout progression adds long-term value, even when you’re not raiding. You can craft high-demand items and sell them on the Flea Market for major profit.

Stick to one map before branching out

Tarkov is overwhelming when you try to learn too many EFT maps at once. To make meaningful progress:

Stick with one map until you know it inside-out
Focus on questing, extracting consistently, and learning PvP patterns
Then slowly add maps like Interchange or Shoreline based on your quest needs

For example, Customs is a great all-around map for early tasks, while Woods teaches range control and extraction discipline.

Learn from others & join the community

Tarkov has one of the most passionate gaming communities around. You don’t have to learn everything solo. Here are some ways to level up faster:

Join EFT-focused Discords
Watch beginner guides on YouTube (Onepeg, Pestily, and LogicalSolutions are popular)
Ask questions, even advanced players love helping newcomers
Team up with friends or use duo/squad LFG channels for safety and support

Every experienced Tarkov player remembers their first few weeks, and most are happy to share advice.

Progress is slow, and that’s okay

The Tarkov grind is real. Some days you’ll extract five raids in a row. Other days, you’ll die three times before reaching the loot room. Don’t let setbacks discourage you. The game is designed to be harsh, and that makes every win feel earned.

Just keep:

Completing quests
Selling wisely
Learning from each raid
And adjusting your playstyle over time

Learn, Improve, And Survive In Escape From Tarkov

If there’s one thing every Escape From Tarkov player learns, it’s that mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Tarkov isn’t about fast wins or flashy plays. It’s about staying calm under pressure, making smart decisions, and improving bit by bit with every raid.

This game rewards patience, preparation, and persistence. Whether you’re extracting with a full backpack or crawling away with a single syringe and 10 HP, every raid teaches you something.

Revisit, rethink, retry

Use this guide as a reference whenever you:

Unlock a new map and need help navigating it
Get stuck on a task and need a fresh strategy
Keep dying in the same spots and want to rethink your approach
Want to optimize your gear, healing, or looting for better results

The more you revisit core principles, like moving quietly, playing with purpose, and knowing your extracts, the faster you’ll become a consistent survivor.

Your journey is your own

Don’t compare your progress to streamers or veteran players. They’ve died thousands of times to get where they are. Focus on:

Surviving one extra minute in each raid
Making your next death more meaningful than the last
Learning why you lost instead of blaming RNG

That’s how real Tarkov players are made.

Need an edge? Elocarry can help

If you’re tired of getting ambushed, losing gear to unseen threats, or just want a helping hand while you learn the game, check out Elocarry’s EFT cheats.

Elocarry can help you understand the game faster, play smarter, and protect your progress. Perfect for beginners who want to ease into the game while still playing tactically.

You can also join our Discord to connect with other Tarkov players, ask questions, and keep up with future updates.