After a development journey spanning a decade, the moment the Escape From Tarkov community has been waiting for is finally here. The game is set to launch into its 1.0 state on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 GMT, marking a major transition from its long-running beta. This release brings a complete story campaign, sweeping gameplay changes, new factions and maps, and the game’s long-awaited debut on Steam.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- Launch timing & downtime – exact release times, maintenance window, Tarkov TV broadcast, and what to do before servers go offline.
- Wipes & account resets – how the mandatory PvP wipe works, how the optional PvE wipe works, and what you must do to access the new story.
- Main story campaign – structure, difficulty, co-op support, and the multiple endings (including the “best” ending).
- New factions & AI – RUAF and Black Division, their behavior, and how they change raid dynamics.
- New map: Terminal – what we know about the harbor map and its role as the climactic story location.
- Core gameplay overhauls – armor and ballistics changes, the leaner economy, and how the meta is likely to shift.
- Weapons, gear, and loot – headline new guns, attachments, and top-tier equipment from the new factions.
- Steam release & editions – why existing owners need to repurchase on Steam, how account linking works, and what EOD/Unheard owners keep.
- Progression & prestige – how quests become side content, how skills/traders/reset work, and the role of the new prestige system.
- Offline, PvE, and testing – how to safely try new systems and what wiping (or not wiping) your PvE profile actually changes.
- Post-1.0 roadmap – planned wipes, the “Scav Life” DLC, seasonal characters, console version, and long-term mod support.
Escape From Tarkov 1.0 Overview: Key Features and What’s New
For those who need the key intel fast, here’s the rundown:
- Launch Time: The game goes live on November 15th at 11:00 GMT.
- Full Story Campaign: The main addition is a complete, narrative-driven campaign with a definitive endgame and multiple endings.
- Mandatory PvP Wipe: Patch 1.0 launches with a full wipe of all PvP profiles. Everyone starts fresh when the servers come up.
- New Factions & AI: Two new AI factions are being added: the RUAF (allied with BEAR PMCs) and the hyper-lethal Black Division.
- New Map “Terminal”: A large industrial harbor map that serves as the final location for the story campaign.
- Core Gameplay Overhauls: Expect significant changes to armor and ballistics, and a much leaner, more punishing in-game economy.
- New Weapons & Gear: The armory is expanding significantly with new guns and expanded variants for existing platforms.
- Steam Release: The game launches on Steam, but existing owners must repurchase it to play on that platform. Progress can be linked.
- New Wipe Structure: Post-launch, Battlestate plans roughly two seasonal wipes per year for optional seasonal characters. Your main 1.0 PMC is designed to persist.
EFT 1.0 Release Date, Launch Time, and Day-One Checklist
Official Launch Schedule
| Event | Date | Time (GMT) | Other Time Zones |
| Servers Go Offline (Start of Downtime) | November 14, 2025 | 11:00 GMT | 06:00 EST / 03:00 PST |
| Tarkov TV Launch Broadcast | November 15, 2025 | 08:00 GMT | 03:00 EST / 00:00 PST |
| EFT 1.0 Official Launch | November 15, 2025 | 11:00 GMT | 06:00 EST / 03:00 PST |
| Twitch Drops Event Begins | November 15, 2025 | After Launch | Worldwide |
| Free Drops End | November 28, 2025 | — | — |
| Sub Drops End | December 6, 2025 | — | — |
Account Wipes Explained
| Feature | PvP Wipe | PvE Wipe |
| Mandatory? | ✔ Yes, automatic for all players | ✖ No, optional and manual |
| When It Happens | During EFT 1.0 launch downtime | After you manually trigger it |
| Affects Gear & Stash | Yes, full reset | Yes, but PvE profile only |
| Affects Skills & Traders | Yes | Yes, PvE only |
| Affects Hideout | Fully reset | Fully reset (PvE only) |
| Required for Story Campaign? | Yes (campaign uses new profile) | Yes, if you want to play the story in PvE |
| Linked to Seasonal Characters? | Indirectly (wipe era begins) | No |
| Impact on PvP Profile | Full reset | No effect |
| Impact on PvE Profile | Not applicable | Full reset of PvE only |
Your 1.0 Launch Checklist
- Decide on Your Platform: The game will be live on the BSG launcher and available on Steam. Buying on Steam is optional—the original BSG launcher still works—but you’ll need to buy again if you want Steam achievements and friends list integration.
- Prepare for Twitch Drops: A Twitch Drops campaign runs from November 15 to December 6. Free drops are available until November 28, while sub-based rewards continue for the full duration.
- Link Your Account (If Using Steam): If you purchase on Steam, link it to your official BSG account to carry over progress.
- Prepare for Downtime: Complete any final raids or prestiging before the downtime begins on November 14th.
- Wait for the “All Clear”: Do not manually reset your PvE profile until the 1.0 patch is confirmed to be fully live and stable.
Escape From Tarkov 1.0 Gameplay Changes – Armor, Ballistics, Movement, and Economy Overhaul
Movement and Inertia
The inertia system in the main game will not be changed to the more arcade-like feel of Tarkov Arena. The developers are committed to preserving the core game’s deliberate, realistic movement, so don’t expect to be bunny-hopping through firefights.
Armor, Ballistics, and the New Meta
Battlestate has confirmed a significant rework to the armor and penetration systems for 1.0. Expect changes to how durability loss, blunt damage, and penetration rolls work, with many ammo calibers shifting in value. The full numbers aren’t public yet, so prepare for a new meta.
A Leaner Economy
The “final hardcore wipe” before 1.0 already introduced scarcer rare loot and harsher trader pricing. 1.0 builds on that philosophy: story missions themselves are intended to be moneysinks, pulling roubles and supplies out of the economy and slowing down late-game hoarding.
Escape from Tarkov 1.0 New Weapons, Gear, Loot, and Itemization Changes
New Weapons & Mods
Tarkov 1.0 expands the armory. Headline additions include the Colt M16A1 (AR), DS Arms RPD (LMG), Marlin 1895 (lever-action), Škorpion Vz. 61 (SMG), AK-308, Battle Arms Tanker, plus expanded variants for existing platforms like the Chiappa Rhino revolvers. Battlestate hasn’t published a complete 1.0 item list, so expect a few surprise meds, containers, and gadgets to show up post-launch.
Black Division & RUAF Gear
Both new factions use completely new, top-tier armor, rigs, helmets, and backpacks. This gear is lootable and designed to sit at the high end of the equipment ladder, so prices and demand on the Flea Market will be wild at first.
EFT 1.0 New Weapons, Gear, Loot, and Itemization Changes
- RUAF (Russian Armed Forces): A new faction of heavily armored Russian Army soldiers. In a crucial tactical shift, RUAF forces are allied with BEAR PMCs and will be hostile to USECs, creating new dynamics on maps like Customs, Shoreline, and Woods where their patrols are expected to appear.
- Black Division: A formidable new endgame enemy. These are elite TerraGroup operatives in highly coordinated 4-man squads who use advanced tactics. They are hostile to everyone and drop some of the best new loot. It is not yet confirmed if Black Division squads will appear in standard sandbox raids or if they are exclusive to campaign missions.
| Feature | RUAF | Black Division |
| Faction Type | Russian Armed Forces | Elite TerraGroup Operatives |
| Allegiance | Allied with BEAR, hostile to USEC | Hostile to all players |
| Where They Appear | Likely in open-world raids (Customs, Shoreline, Woods, etc.) | Confirmed in story missions; raid presence TBD |
| Squad Size | Standard military fireteams | Highly coordinated 4-man elite squads |
| Difficulty Level | High (armored soldiers, tactical movement) | Extremely high (endgame-tier units) |
| Primary Behavior | Area control, patrol routes, helping BEAR PMCs | Aggressive, flanking, advanced tactics |
| Gear Quality | High-tier Russian military equipment | Best-in-class gear and high-value loot |
| Impact on Raid Dynamics | Adds faction-based tension for USECs | High-lethality encounters and loot hotspots |
| Confirmed Role in Campaign | Present during major story events | Central antagonists of the story |
New Map: Terminal
The new location for 1.0 is Terminal, a large industrial harbor zone with docks, warehouses, and heavy military infrastructure. This map serves as the final, climactic location for the main story campaign. It’s also tied into Battlestate’s long-term plan for in-raid transit and a more interconnected world, though the full ‘open map network’ won’t be in at launch.
The Impact on Progression: Your PMC After 1.0
- Permanent Main PMC: The character you create at 1.0 is intended to be your permanent main character. Seasonal characters that reset twice per year will be added after launch; those wipes will apply to the seasonal profile, not your main 1.0 PMC.
- Existing Quests Become Side Quests: All trader tasks are now side quests. They will be rebalanced—expect number tuning and reward adjustments—but not removed.
- Skills, Traders, and Hideout: Your skills and trader loyalty levels will be reset. To unlock the prestige system, you must now complete the main storyline first.
Editions, Performance, and Technical Details
- Editions and EOD Perks: All perks from the Edge of Darkness (EOD) edition will carry over. EOD and Unheard edition owners will also receive exclusive cosmetic rewards.
System Requirements:
| Category | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7-14700F or better |
| RAM | 16 GB | 64 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1660 | NVIDIA RTX 4070 or better |
| Storage | SSD required | High-speed NVMe SSD recommended |
| Network | Stable broadband connection | Stable broadband connection |
The Heart of 1.0: The Main Story Campaign
- The End Goal: The campaign’s objective is to finally escape Tarkov, with multiple distinct endings (with four reported so far). The “best ending” is designed to be exceptionally challenging; this is Tarkov—we all knew it wouldn’t be easy.
- Difficulty & Co-op: Missions are designed to be punishing by default. Co-op is fully supported, but there is no dynamic AI scaling based on party size. Assume missions are brutal whether you go in solo or with friends.
Offline Raids, PvE, and Testing New Systems
- Classic Offline Raids: The familiar “no stakes” practice mode is expected to remain, perfect for testing new weapons and AI risk-free.
- PvE Co-op Mode: If you want to experience the full story campaign in the paid PvE mode, you must manually reset your PvE profile after the 1.0 launch. Otherwise, your existing PvE progress can be kept.
Spoiler Alert! The “Terminal” Mission Preview
The following contains spoilers from a preview of a campaign mission. Proceed with caution.
The mission began with a new cinematic featuring the trader Lightkeeper, who reveals that the Ground Zero event was caused by a massive, EMP-like device.
- Phase 1: Disarmed and Trapped: Your PMC is captured and disarmed in a cutscene. You awaken in a locked room before a second cutscene reveals a full-scale battle outside between Scavs and the new RUAF faction.
- Phase 2: Scavenging in a War Zone: The door opens into a chaotic battlefield. Your immediate objective is to survive and re-arm by scavenging weapons from fallen soldiers.
- Phase 3: The Armory and the Black Division: Your first objective is to reach an armory to retrieve your gear. As you succeed, the mission’s primary antagonists, the Black Division, arrive. Prepare to get erased by them at least a dozen times; it’s a rite of passage.
- Phase 4: The Inescapable Gauntlet: The climax involves fighting through the Black Division to acquire a keycard, then facing the Scav boss Gluhar. For the preview, this was a no-win scenario, with out-of-bounds snipers ensuring no one escaped.
The Future of Tarkov: The Post-1.0 Roadmap
- Wipe Structure and Content Cycle: Post-launch, Battlestate plans roughly two seasonal wipes per year for optional seasonal characters. Your main 1.0 PMC is designed to persist between those seasons. Each cycle will include a paid DLC expansion and a large, free seasonal event.
- Upcoming DLCs and Seasonal Characters: The first confirmed DLC is “Scav Life,” focusing on the Scav faction. Seasonal characters are planned to arrive roughly six months after launch.
- Console Version and Mod Support: A console version is in development, and official mod support for the PvE mode is a long-term goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Escape From Tarkov 1.0 officially releasing?
Escape From Tarkov 1.0 officially releases on November 15, 2025 at 11:00 GMT, marking the end of the long beta period. This launch follows a 24-hour maintenance window and includes the wipe, new campaign, and major gameplay overhauls. Players should expect server queues at launch and should update their game ahead of time.
Will Escape From Tarkov 1.0 include a full account wipe?
Yes. EFT 1.0 launches with a mandatory full PvP wipe, meaning every player starts fresh with no gear, skills, Traders, or Hideout progress. Additionally, there is an optional PvE wipe that must be triggered manually if you want to access the new story campaign in PvE mode. The two profiles are fully separate.
What time does the Tarkov wipe start before 1.0 launches?
The pre-launch wipe and full game downtime begin on November 14 at 11:00 GMT. All servers, including the launcher, website, and backend systems, will be unavailable. This is when the patch is deployed, so players should finish their final raids before this time.
Does EFT 1.0 include a full story campaign?
Yes. Escape From Tarkov 1.0 introduces the game’s first complete narrative campaign, featuring multiple chapters, cutscenes, and several unique endings. The campaign includes tough missions, puzzle-like objectives, and high-stakes encounters with new factions. It can be played solo or cooperatively.
Can I play the Escape From Tarkov 1.0 campaign in co-op?
Absolutely. The entire story campaign supports co-op play, allowing you and your friends to push through missions together. However, the developers confirmed that enemy AI does not scale with group size, meaning that missions remain punishing whether you bring one friend or a full squad.
Do existing players need to buy Tarkov again on Steam?
Yes. Battlestate Games requires a separate purchase for the Steam version of Escape From Tarkov, even if you already own the game on the BSG launcher. However, you can link your Steam copy to your existing account so your progress, gear, and profiles remain synchronized across both platforms.
What is the new map “Terminal” in EFT 1.0?
Terminal is a large-scale industrial harbor map filled with docks, warehouses, shipping yards, and military checkpoints. It serves as the final major location for the story campaign, housing some of the most intense missions. Terminal is also expected to play a key role in future map-to-map travel.
What new factions are coming in Escape From Tarkov 1.0?
Two major AI factions arrive in 1.0:
- RUAF (allied with BEAR, hostile to USEC)
- Black Division, elite TerraGroup operatives acting as high-level endgame enemies.
Are there new weapons or gear in Tarkov 1.0?
Yes. Tarkov 1.0 expands the arsenal significantly. New weapons include the M16A1, RPD, Marlin 1895, Škorpion Vz. 61, AK-308, and new variants of the Chiappa Rhino. Players can also expect numerous new attachments, high-end ammo types, and powerful new armor and rigs dropped by RUAF and Black Division enemies.
How does the armor and ballistics rework affect gameplay?
The armor and ballistics overhaul for 1.0 rebalances how durability, penetration, and blunt damage behave. Many ammo types have shifted tiers, meaning old favorites may no longer dominate. Players must evaluate armor choices carefully, as the time-to-kill and survivability have been significantly reworked.
Will EFT Arena affect the main Tarkov game?
No. Although Arena offers faster, more arcade-like movement, Battlestate confirmed that Arena’s movement system will not replace the inertia-heavy tactical movement found in the main game. Tarkov 1.0 remains a slow, methodical extraction shooter with punishing gunfights.
What happens to my Hideout, traders, and skills after the wipe?
With the 1.0 wipe, your Hideout progress, trader loyalty levels, and character skills are completely reset. However, the traditional trader quests now act as side quests, and many have been rebalanced. Rebuilding your Hideout becomes a fresh progression journey in the 1.0 ecosystem.
What are seasonal characters in Escape From Tarkov?
Seasonal characters are optional profiles that reset on a twice-per-year schedule after the 1.0 launch. They allow players to enjoy regular fresh-start gameplay similar to classic Tarkov wipes, without affecting the new permanent 1.0 main character you build at release.
Are Twitch Drops available for the 1.0 release?
Yes. Escape From Tarkov will run a major Twitch Drops campaign from November 15 to December 6 to celebrate the launch. Players can earn free items simply by watching streams, with special subscriber-exclusive rewards lasting the full event period.
Do EOD or Unheard edition perks carry into 1.0?
Yes. All perks tied to the Edge of Darkness or Unheard editions will fully carry forward into 1.0. In addition, owners of these editions will receive exclusive new cosmetic rewards to mark the transition out of beta.
What is the main objective of the Escape From Tarkov 1.0 story?
The campaign’s narrative centers around uncovering the truth behind the Tarkov conflict and ultimately escaping the region. Players will navigate war-torn environments, face new faction threats, and make choices that influence the final outcome. At least four different endings are confirmed.
Is the Black Division present in normal raids?
BattleState has not fully confirmed whether Black Division squads will appear in standard raids. They are known to be guaranteed antagonists within the story campaign and are expected to serve as high-tier late-game enemies with advanced tactics and gear.
Is offline mode still available in EFT 1.0?
Yes. Classic offline raids remain available and unchanged in Tarkov 1.0. Players can use this mode to practice combat, test weapons, or learn maps without risking gear. It is separate from the paid PvE co-op mode.
Will there be console versions of Escape From Tarkov?
Yes. Battlestate Games confirmed that a console version is in development, though no release timeline has been announced. It is expected to arrive after the full release and post-launch stabilization phase.
What does the post-1.0 roadmap include?
The roadmap includes:
- Two seasonal wipes per year
- The Scav Life DLC
- Continued campaign expansions
- More maps and world interconnectivity
- Long-term mod support for PvE mode
