Pest Control in Tarkov: A Comprehensive Guide to Removing Infestations

Understanding the Threats: The Pests of Tarkov

The Ever-Present Scavs

Scavs, or “scavengers,” are the AI-controlled opponents that populate Tarkov. They roam maps in packs, often armed with a variety of weapons and equipped with varying levels of armor. They can be aggressive or passive. Passive scavs might avoid direct confrontation, while aggressive scavs will relentlessly pursue you if they detect your presence. Learning their behavior is crucial. Scavs tend to prioritize cover, often utilizing buildings and natural obstacles, making them a threat at both short and long ranges. Knowing the usual pathways scavs take on each map allows you to set up ambushes and maintain a strategic advantage.

The Human Element: Player Scavs and PMCs

These are the other players, and they represent a different kind of threat. Player Scavs, like the AI Scavs, are controlled by other players, but they play for themselves. They will be looking for loot, and may be aggressive, or more often, passive. Players in Tarkov, as either PMCs or player scavs, are highly unpredictable. PMCs, or “Private Military Contractors,” are the player-controlled characters that you bring into a raid. They’re equipped with better gear and a higher level of skill than the AI Scavs. PMCs are often looking for fights, and they’re always a threat. Recognizing player behavior – and their movement patterns – is vital to identifying and neutralizing the most dangerous threats.

The Sneaky Extract Campers

Extract campers are those who position themselves near extraction points to ambush players at the end of a raid. They often come equipped with high-powered weapons and good gear to ensure a quick kill, making them a major threat to unsuspecting players attempting to leave.

The Harsh Environment

Tarkov’s environments themselves can act as a kind of pest. Limited visibility, radiation zones, and traps add extra challenges to any raid. Understanding how to navigate these risks is essential.

Identifying the Threats: Recognizing Pests

The ability to identify threats quickly is paramount to success. Here’s how to recognize each type of pest:

Scavs

Scavs often move in predictable patterns and are less tactically astute than PMCs. Observe their movements, gunplay, and general reactions.

PMCs

Player-controlled characters will often showcase erratic behaviors, utilizing superior equipment, and communicating. Watch for unusual movements, more aggressive tactics, and squad-based play, as they may have more than one player. PMCs tend to be more cautious, using the environment for cover.

Extract Campers

These players will often sit in one spot, waiting for players to come to their extract. They may use binoculars, a scope, or simply listen for footsteps. Extract campers can be identified by observing them and knowing the usual extract points on each map.

Tools and Strategies: Waging War on Tarkov’s Pests

Once you can identify the threats, the next step is to equip yourself to deal with them.

Arming Yourself: The Right Weapons for the Job

Your choice of weapon is essential. For close-quarters Scavs and fast-paced PMC encounters, shotguns, like the Saiga-12 or the MP-153, can be extremely effective. When fighting in medium ranges, weapons such as the M4A1, AK-74M, or any other fully-automatic weapon can be your best bet. For long-range engagements, sniper rifles and high-magnification scopes are essential. The Mosin or the SV-98 are powerful and effective sniper rifles. The choice of weapon depends on the range you expect to engage and your individual play style.

Ammunition’s Importance

The type of ammunition is as crucial as the weapon itself. Using armor-piercing ammunition will greatly increase your chance of success.

The Gear Advantage: Equipment and Its Role

Aside from weapons, the right equipment can make or break your raid. Scopes and sights are a must for precision and target acquisition. Ensure you have a suitable range of sights for the types of engagements you anticipate. Tactical vests will provide additional storage and sometimes, armor. Medkits, painkillers, and food are non-negotiable, allowing you to treat injuries and maintain health during intense firefights.

Don’t Forget the Importance of Hearing Protection

A good pair of headphones is necessary in Tarkov.

Tactics: The Art of Pest Control

Scav Hunting

The most common task in Tarkov. Utilize flanking maneuvers to ambush Scavs. If you want to hunt a group of scavs, try to take out the lead or support enemy and take cover. You can then move around them and attack. If possible, use the environment to your advantage for cover.

PMC Engagement

Fighting PMCs is more complicated. Avoid engagements if possible. Use the environment for cover. Set ambushes in choke points.

Dealing with Extract Campers

This is a dangerous task, but one that you can do if you’re vigilant. The best approach is to be careful, check known camping spots, and watch for campers. Before extracting, consider throwing a grenade.

Movement and Positioning

Mastering movement and positioning is crucial for survival. Use cover whenever possible, and move from cover to cover to avoid being an easy target.

Communication

If you’re playing with a squad, communication is essential. Clear and concise callouts can mean the difference between life and death.

Map-Specific Pest Control: Adapting to Tarkov’s Terrain

Every map in Tarkov presents unique challenges, requiring you to adjust your pest control tactics.

Customs

The primary hub for new players. Customs is dense and full of chokepoints. Be wary of Scavs and PMCs in areas like the dorms, gas station, and construction site. Extract campers are common at the ZB-1011 extract.

Woods

A large, open map. Woods is great for sniping, but also exposed. Scavs often patrol the lumber mill. PMCs and scavs may be found near the village.

Interchange

Primarily indoors. This is a close-quarters combat map. Interchange is a great place to find loot, but also PMCs and Scavs. Extract campers are common at the railway extract.

Shoreline

Shoreline features open areas, but is also densely packed with buildings. Be aware of Scavs. Extract campers are prevalent near resort.

Labs

The most dangerous map in Tarkov. Labs is full of high-tier loot and skilled players. This map features raiders, and it is an unforgiving environment. Scavs aren’t present on this map.

Factory

Small and chaotic. Factory is ideal for close-quarters combat. Scavs and PMCs are abundant.

Reserve

Reserve offers a mix of open and enclosed spaces. The complex is heavily guarded, with raiders. Scavs and PMCs are common. Extract campers are abundant.

Beyond the Basics: Tips and Tricks for Success

While the core concepts are essential, the following tips can help you improve your pest control abilities.

Game Settings: Fine-Tuning Your Vision and Hearing

Tarkov is a demanding game, but your graphics settings greatly affect visibility. Optimize your settings for the best balance of performance and visibility.

Preparation: Know the Map, Know Your Gear

Never underestimate the importance of preparation. Understand each map’s layout, extract points, and common areas of interest.

Understanding the Mechanics

Familiarize yourself with Tarkov’s intricacies. Know how armor works, the effects of ammunition, and the various stats.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Tarkov can be incredibly stressful. Remaining calm will help you make better decisions.

Pest control is at the heart of surviving in Escape from Tarkov. By mastering the art of identifying threats, utilizing the right tools, and adapting your strategies, you can take control of your raids and increase your chances of escaping Tarkov.

Good luck in your raids, and may your pest control efforts lead to great loot and even greater survival!