Getting started in Escape from Tarkov is like standing at the bottom of Everest when you’ve never climbed before. There is so much to learn, so much pressure, and so much to lose so quickly. However, there are a few things you can do first to make your initial hours much more manageable.

## What to Do First in Escape from Tarkov

Aside from the specific tips below, the most important thing to know about learning Escape from Tarkov is to take everything one step at a time. The game is a nearly endless marathon, and understanding that failure is your best teacher will serve you well through the thousands of hours Tarkov demands.

Here are five specific tips that will be incredibly helpful as you begin your Tarkov journey.

### 1. Scav Your First Raid

There are two types of raids in Tarkov: PMC raids and Scav raids. Your PMC (Private Military Company) is your main character, which you can customize with better gear and weapons. Your Scav is a randomized character with lesser gear, and entering a raid as a Scav costs you nothing.

Going into a raid as a Scav allows you to explore the map without risking your valuable PMC gear. Avoid confrontation whenever possible, but use your senses — listen for gunfire and make mental notes of these locations. While exploring, search all loot containers and open everything you can interact with. This will help you get an early feel for which containers have better loot.

Your first raid will be one of your biggest learning experiences, so make the most of it.

### 2. Learn the Difference Between a Scav and a PMC

Knowing the difference between a Scav and a PMC is vital. When you’re a PMC, everything and everyone is your enemy. Both player-controlled Scavs and other PMCs can be hostile.

PMCs typically wear military-style clothing and gear: large backpacks, military fatigues, sturdy helmets, and advanced guns. Their appearance tends to be less colorful, although some paid or endgame cosmetics can change that.

Scavs look more ragged, usually wearing civilian clothes and patched-together weapons. However, a player-controlled Scav may sometimes wear full PMC gear they found or took, so stay cautious.

If you’re playing as a Scav, avoid shooting other Scavs—it will increase your Scav cooldown timer and cause other penalties.

### 3. See If Your PC Can Run Streets of Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov is demanding on PC hardware, and the Streets of Tarkov map ramps up the performance requirements even more. Streets offers some of the best loot, but if your PC struggles to run it, you may want to avoid this map for now.

Try an offline Streets raid by enabling Practice Mode when loading into a PMC match to see how your computer handles it. If the experience is choppy or nearly unplayable, it’s best to skip this map until you can upgrade your system.

### 4. Avoid Ground Zero for Your First Few Raids

Ground Zero is the first map you’ll encounter in the trader quest chains. Unfortunately, it’s also a popular “meat grinder” where veterans and geared players often dominate newer players.

Instead, stick to maps like Woods, Streets (if your PC can handle it), or Interchange—especially as a Scav. These maps offer good loot and are generally easier to navigate safely.

Remember, nowhere in Tarkov is truly safe, as you can be attacked from multiple angles at any time. Giving yourself time to acclimate to this—and starting on friendlier maps—is worthwhile.

### 5. Stick to the Map You Like Most for a While

While avoiding Ground Zero may slow your trader quest progression, becoming familiar with one or two maps is more valuable in the long run.

Pick two or three maps that you enjoy and play them for at least a dozen hours each. Learning how to fight, loot, and extract successfully on a familiar map will put you way ahead compared to constantly struggling on unfamiliar or more difficult maps.

### Make Enough Money to Buy a Lucky Scav Junkbox

This is a more advanced tip, but an important one. Loot and sell enough valuables to afford a Lucky Scav Junkbox, which costs about 1.2 million roubles.

The Junkbox can hold a large amount of electronics, household items, and valuables while taking up much less space in your stash than carrying all the items separately. This makes it invaluable for organizing your inventory.

Start by selling items to traders like the Therapist (meds, valuables, some tools) and Mechanic (weapons, attachments, ammo), as they offer the best prices. Use your Scav to collect goods to sell, and do the same with your PMC whenever possible.

Once you get your Lucky Scav Junkbox, fill it up with everything that fits to free up stash space for weapons, armor, backpacks, and other larger gear. Over time, you’ll be able to invest in other containers for specific items, but the Junkbox should be your first big purchase.

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There’s so much more to learn when starting Escape from Tarkov, and even after 1,100 hours, players continue learning something new every time they play. Take your time, be patient, and embrace the challenge—this is what makes Tarkov a rewarding experience.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146147/what-to-do-first-in-escape-from-tarkov