Escape from Tarkov provides several gameplay options to the player to cater to different playstyles or objectives.
Game screen showing an option between PMC and Scav run.
PMC mode[]
In the PMC mode, you play as your main character hired by a private military company (either USEC or BEAR). You start by selecting a location and time of day then enter the raid either solo or with teammates. You can bring in weapons, armor and gear from your own stash. As a PMC operator, you may engage and kill other PMCs, Bosses or Scavs. In order to survive the raid and escape with any items you are carrying, you must locate and move into an extraction zone, of which the list is available in-game by double-tapping the "O" key. If you die during the raid or do not extract in time, all items except your melee weapon, armband and items in your secure container are left behind.
In summary:
- You have full control over your loadout, configurable in the stash
- You may engage PMCs and Scavs
- You must extract to keep any items you find
- You may complete quests
- Upon death or timeout, you will lose everything you brought into the raid except for your melee weapon, your compass, your armband and the contents of your secure container
- Insurance allows you to retrieve any items that have not been extracted from the raid, after a delay
Practice and Co-op mode[]
Practice/Co-op modes settings
When preparing to play as a PMC, you will be shown a screen that allows you to enable "practice mode". This game mode is intended for exploring locations, testing weapons and other activities. It offers the option to tweak different settings like AI amount/difficulty, toggling bosses, randomizing time/weather and more. Additionally, it is also possible to practice with, or play against other players in the "Co-op mode". This mode comes with its own set of tweakable settings like spawning together or separated. The Co-op mode is only available to players that own the "Edge of Darkness" edition of the game, or have separately purchased the Co-op expansion on the Escape from Tarkov website.
When playing in practice or co-op mode, no progress is saved upon raid completion or termination. This means that you may disconnect from either with no penalty whatsoever.
Scav mode[]
See: Scav game mode
Arena game mode[]
See: Arena game mode
Planned game modes[]
- Story mode