Escape from Tarkov News

[p][/p][p]A new survey is now available for Escape from Tarkov players, focused on the armor system and its role in gameplay.[/p][p]We want to better understand what criteria you use when choosing armor, how useful it feels during raids, and which aspects of the current system need improvement.[/p][p]Your responses will help us fine-tune balance and improve the character protection system.[/p][p]You will receive a participation reward in your in-game messages after completing the survey. Every opinion is important — thank you for helping us make the game better![/p]

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[p][/p][p]The Year of the Fire Horse is upon us according to the Lunar calendar - a time that symbolizes momentum, ambition, and bold action. We wish you boundless energy and courage to try new things - both in our games and in life![/p][p]This Lunar year promises exciting changes, which should also be expected in #EscapefromTarkov and #TarkovArena. We’re actively working on new content and events and plan to spend the year fully embracing the spirit of its symbol.[/p][p]And as a pleasant bonus, we invite you to claim your gift in the Battlestate Games account center. Simply log in to your profile to receive it.[/p]

[p][/p][p]A bundle featuring Escape from Tarkov & Escape from Duckov at a 20% discount is now available on Steam. Don't miss out on an opportunity to expand your library and try out two different approaches to the extraction shooter genre![/p][p]The bundle combines the hardcore tactical PvPvE experience of Escape from Tarkov with the action-packed PvE gameplay of Escape from Duckov. Similar in concept, yet very different, these games are each worth trying.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Also, a special offer is available now: a 25% discount to the upgrade to The Unheard Edition. Please note that the permanent 50% discount for upgrading from the Edge of Darkness edition to The Unheard Edition cannot be combined with the current discount.[/p][p]Get The Unheard Edition at a discount.[/p][p]Both the bundle and the discount will be available until February 24, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC / 3:00 AM EST.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Changes: [/h3]

• [p]Temporary collaboration event with Escape from Duckov:
  Players can take part in an in-game duck hunting task in Escape from Tarkov. After completing the task, players will receive a set of exclusive rewards in both PvP and PvE mode;[/p]
• [p]Added Steam Rich Presence support for Steam players, displaying current in-game activity;[/p]
• [p]Improved the game room startup algorithm to reduce game server launch time. We will continue working to speed up and improve matchmaking in future updates;[/p]
• [p]Added a visual effect to optical sight lenses;[/p]
• [p]Improved the grenade throw synchronization to reduce cases of grenade position desync during throws;[/p]
• [p]Improved the AI behavior during looting;[/p]
• [p]Added a new container for posters;[/p]
• [p]Added a chapter switching sound effect in the Story Tasks interface;[/p]
• [p]Changed the in-game weather season to early spring.  [/p]

[h3]
Personalization:[/h3][p]Added new customization sets USEC Fahrenheit and BEAR Arktika, available for purchase on the official Escape from Tarkov website and on Steam.[/p][p][/p][h3]Balancing changes:[/h3]

• [p]Reduced the character level requirement for Prestige from 55 to 47;[/p]
• [p]Increased the experience modifier when finishing a raid with the Killed in Action and Missing in Action status from 0.4 to 0.75;[/p]
• [p]Replaced the Pineapple juice craft at Nutrition Unit level 2 with Can of beef stew (Large);[/p]
• [p]Added the ability to insure night vision goggles;[/p]
• [p]Removed the Found in Raid sledgehammer requirement for dismantling the Defective Wall in the Hideout;[/p]
• [p]Added the ability to store money in the Keycard holder case;[/p]
• [p]Reduced the experience gain for killing bots and bosses in The Labyrinth;[/p]
• [p]Added new loot points at the school building, Rus Post office, Klimov mall, and Cardinal apartment complex on Streets of Tarkov;[/p]
• [p]Added new ammo spawn points on Streets of Tarkov and Reserve;[/p]
• [p]Increased the max ammo stack size for the following calibers: 7.62х25 TT, 9х18 PM, 9х19, 9х21, 4.6х30, 5.7х28, .45 ACP, .357, .50 AE, 5.45х39, 5.56х45, 9х39, .300 BLK, .366 ТКМ, 6.8х51, 7.62х51, .308 ME, .50 BMG, 20/70, 12/70.[/p]

[p]Reduced the overheat buildup speed by 30% for weapons using 9x39 ammo, including:[/p]

• [p]KBP 9A-91 compact assault rifle;[/p]
• [p]KBP VSK-94 rifle;[/p]
• [p]SR-3M compact assault rifle;[/p]
• [p]AS VAL special assault rifle;[/p]
• [p]VSS Vintorez special sniper rifle.[/p]

[p]Task adjustments:[/p]

• [p]Goals and Means:[/p]
  • [p]Reduced the minimum distance requirement from 100 to 50 meters.[/p]
• [p]Hunting Trip:[/p]
  • [p]Reduced the minimum distance requirement from 75 to 40 meters.[/p]
• [p]Connections Up North:[/p]
  • [p]Reduced the PMC kill requirement from 50 to 20.[/p]

[p]Trading adjustments:[/p]

• [p]Added a new offer for 5.56x45mm M855A1 ammo pack (50 pcs) at Ref LL4;[/p]
• [p]Increased the purchase limit for AR-10 7.62x51 X Products X-25 50-round drum magazine at Mechanic from 1 to 5 per reset;[/p]
• [p]Reduced the purchase price for dollars and euros at traders.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Fixes:[/h3]

• [p]Fixed the cases where armor zones on Tagilla’s welding masks and Atomic Defense CQCM mask were ignored, allowing players to receive fatal damage to the “Head, Nape” hitbox;[/p]
• [p]Fixed several visual, culling, and shadow/lighting issues on all locations;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the secure container display and certain inventory operations during raids when the player inspected their character inventory while loading into a local PvE game;[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue causing the game client to freeze after pressing ESC during a raid when automatic memory cleanup was enabled;[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where achievement progress could reset after being obtained in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the cases where the Minotaur’s guards appeared directly in the player’s field of view;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the cause of weapon soft-locks after weapon interactions in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the inability to list ammo packs on the Flea Market;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the starting task items being granted only after restarting the client in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where players could encounter a soft-lock after listening to a previously crafted audio tape during a raid;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the incorrect mannequin display after changing the lower clothing in the Gear Rack Hideout zone in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the construction timer display for the Gear Rack Hideout zone;[/p]
• [p]Improved the folding system for built-in iron sights when using reflex and optical sights;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the incorrect display of armbands when using the USEC Day Off and BEAR Vacation customization sets;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the incorrect behavior of the low-frequency filter for certain ambient sounds related to occlusion;[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where music was not muted while previewing and selecting character voices in the game settings;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the glass display when viewing through transparent geometry;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the ability to claim rewards for BTR Driver tasks as a Scav;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the known causes of Sniper Scavs teleporting in local PvE raids on Customs in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the aggressive behavior of RUAF bots on Terminal toward players previously marked as enemies by the Rogues on Lighthouse;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the cases where the BTR gunner could appear outside the BTR;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the missing player preview display on the Overall tab in certain cases;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the incorrect weapon display on the USEC character during character creation;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the ability to interact with signal flare extracts when playing as a Scav;[/p]
• [p]Improved and balanced the logic of fog density influence on AI detection systems;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the situations with bots not re-equipping their weapons after looting another weapon;[/p]
• [p]Fixed the issue with Partisan getting stuck in the underbarrel grenade launcher reload animation.[/p]