User:Glazedham13/Getting Started

Getting Started
Welcome to Escape From Tarkov! This game has sort of a steep learning curve so I'll get right to it.

First Login and Game Versions
So there are two versions of the game; the standard version and the EOD (Edge of Darkness) special edition. Depending on the version you have purchased your gameplay loop is going to be slightly different to start off. Note that when the game is full release the standard edition probably won't give you freebies like it does now.

Key Differences
The standard edition comes with some good starting loot; 300k roubles, an AKS-74u, and an Alpha Container.

The EOD edition comes with a bunch more stuff and a Gamma Container.

These two containers are the primary difference and affect gameplay the most. They allow you to save items you have stored in them even if you die. The Alpha is a 2x2 grid (very small) and the Gamma is a 3x3. This means that the Gamma will allow you to store items that cannot fit in the Alpha! Like vests, rigs, even other containers.

Keep in mind you do not HAVE to own EOD to enjoy the game, I am a standard player myself. You can eventually upgrade your container to a Beta Container and get 2x3 slots. The Gamma is not obtainable unless you own EOD or another player gives theirs to you.

Gameplay
Tarkovs gameplay loop involves doing Raids, aka instanced areas of the overworld map. These are divided into two categories and can be found when you click Escape From Tarkov; Scav and PMC (with USEC and BEAR being the two player factions).

Does it matter which faction I picked?
Currently there is no difference between USEC and BEAR, other than that BEARs speak Russian.

Scav and PMC
You can do a raid as either of these factions. To boil it all down, you use your Scav to raid and build up a base of money and items to support your serious raiding on your PMC.

PMC
This is your player character. When you raid as this character the following things apply.
 * You gain EXP for you actions; leveling your character, upgrading skills, and unlocking more items from vendors
 * You can only complete most vendor quests as a PMC
 * You can insure your gear for a chance to get it back if you die
 * You spawn at the beginning of or minutes into a raid

Scav
A Scav is your NPC character.
 * You get NO EXP for any action, even though it shows up in your EXP feed
 * You spawn with random gear
 * You have more extraction zones available
 * NPC Scavs will not attack you
 * You spawn later into the raid, so there is more of a chance PMCs have looted stuff
 * You have the option of transferring EVERYTHING you have on your Scav to your PMC inventory after extraction from the raid

Gameplay Loop
The basic formula is; enter raid, loot, kill, complete quest tasks, go to your extract. There are a lot of things to learn inbetween but that is the gist.

Next Section -> Raiding