Skip to content
The Tarkov Handbook

Rules & Pre-Raid Checklist

Good habits that raise your survival rate, raid profit, and punish enemy mistakes — plus what to check before you ever hit queue.

Combat Rules

Respect the Tag

Whoever lands the killing blow owns the loot on that body. Don't take from a kill that isn't yours.

Roam on Auto

Keep your weapon on full-auto while moving. PMCs can appear with no warning and you need immediate output.

Where There's One, There's Two

Never assume a single enemy. Assume 2, 3, even 5. Maneuver for advantage, commit hard once the enemy is out of position, and keep playing sharp even after the fight seems over.

Clear, Then Loot

Let an area go quiet after a kill, confirm it's actually clear, then loot.

Aggression is King

Standing still is the most dangerous thing you can do. Movement (not necessarily sprinting) keeps you alive. Getting spotted while creeping slowly is a death sentence.

Ammo is Everything

High-penetration ammo matters more than almost anything else. Tanky PMCs will eat rounds that don't penetrate. Invest in good ammo.

Practical Rules

SCAVs Can Be Worth More Alive

SCAVs function as an early-warning system. If SCAVs are alive and active in an area, PMCs likely aren't there.

Ears, Then Eyes

Audio orients your body toward threats before your eyes ever find them. Prioritize sound cues.

Touch the Butt

Always open a dead body's inventory for search XP, even if it looks empty. It adds up over time.

Loss is Inevitable

Everyone loses gear regardless of hours played or account age. Even top-end kitted players have raids where they lose everything. Don't let it get to you.

Don't Hesitate

Hesitation costs you in EFT. Act with confidence even when your mechanics aren't there yet. You're learning either way.

Advanced Concept: Tempo

What separates good players from great players is Tempo: the combined mastery of map knowledge, resource management, predicting enemy movement, PvP tactics, and audio recognition, plus the ability to apply all of it and adapt on the fly. Each individual skill is hard enough alone. Missing any one of them limits your ability to read and react to Tarkov accurately.

Advertisement

Pre-Raid Checklist

  1. 1

    Primary Weapon

    Never enter a raid without one. You're an easy target for low-tier SCAVs otherwise.

  2. 2

    Medical Items

    Carry, at minimum: a medkit, painkillers, a hemostat or Esmarch (plus bandages if running an AI-2), splints, and a CMS or Surv12.

  3. 3

    Armor & Helmet

    Bring whatever you have. Even low-class armor helps against SCAVs, even if it won't stop a PMC.

  4. 4

    Tac Vest & Backpack

    Always bring some storage capacity so you can extract loot, quest items, and more.

  5. 5

    Keys

    Double-check you're carrying the map-specific keys for this raid, not leftovers from a different map.

  6. 6

    Backup Ammunition

    Keep a spare stack in your secure container (and typically another in pockets) in case a fight runs long.