Escape from Tarkov Smugglers event Guide | EFT Smugglers
Published on: 6 December, 2024 | Last Updated on: 14 December, 2024
Oh… You know what? It’s always exciting to talk about new events in Escape from Tarkov, like the Smugglers event. This one adds a whole new level of action with sneaky AI Smugglers, locked cases, and cool quests. But don’t worry, we made a super simple guide to help you dominate. Just remember, in Tarkov, danger is everywhere—that’s why you need this Escape from Tarkov Smugglers event guide!
What’s in Escape from Tarkov Smugglers event Guide? We made it super easy:
- Which maps have the most Smuggler spawns;
- How to kill Smugglers and finish quests like “Chop the Thieving Hand”;
- How to find and unlock rare loot from locked cases.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Dive deeper into the article to find a special PROMOCODE for a Discount to CUT ON ALL YOUR BOOSTS.
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | Overview
The Smugglers event in Escape from Tarkov brings new quests and enemies. Smugglers are a new type of AI found on most maps except Ground Zero (if you’re below level 21) and The Lab. They drop locked cases, keys, and good loot. There are three quests—That’s a Great Plan, Walter, Chop the Thieving Hand, and Shell Game—where you find cases, kill Smugglers, and collect special contraband for rewards. Locked cases can spawn in set places or be looted from Smugglers, and they often need keys or tools to open.
| Feature | Details |
| New AI: Smugglers | Found on most maps (66% spawn rate; 33% on Factory). |
| Locked Cases | Found in Smuggler loot or static spots. Require keys or tools to open. |
| Quests | – That’s a Great Plan, Walter: Find 3 locked cases. – Chop the Thieving Hand: Kill 25 Smugglers. – Shell Game: Turn in 15 contraband. |
| Main Maps for Spawns | – Interchange: Power station. – Shoreline: Smuggler’s Hideout. – Customs: Near ZB-13, Big Red. – Factory: Med building, small building chair. |
| Rewards | Includes weapons, ammo, rigs, backpacks, and special contraband. |
| Smuggler AI Behavior | Spawn in groups of 3; one may carry event items. |
| Tips | – Use maps with high spawn rates. – Secure items in containers. – Focus on teamwork for Smugglers. |
Buy Escape From Tarkov Leveling
Become the Best In the Tarkov!
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | Release date
The Smugglers event in Escape from Tarkov started on 6 December 2024. It brings new quests, locked cases, and Smugglers AI to the game.
| Feature | Details |
| Event Start Date | 6 December 2024 |
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | End date
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding its end date.
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | Maps overview + spam locations
Smugglers can be found on most maps in Escape from Tarkov. They spawn near high-value areas and loot spots, often in groups of three. Locked cases, keys, and valuable items can be found from Smugglers or static locations. Smugglers spawn on maps like Factory, Customs, Shoreline, Interchange, and Reserve but are not found in The Lab or Ground Zero (for players under level 21).
| Map | Spawn Locations | Notes |
| Factory | Med building second floor (under med bag or near fan), small building chair. | 33% spawn rate. Ideal for fast runs. |
| Customs | ZB-13 extract, Big Red (Tarcone Director’s Office). | Good for static locked case spawns. |
| Shoreline | Smuggler’s Hideout (inside tents or near campsite), cottages (plank and ladder area). | Smugglers spawn near loot hotspots. |
| Interchange | Power station (red sofa, around power unit), cargo spawns in the mall. | Good for high-value loot runs. |
| Reserve | RBTv barracks (near beds or furniture). | Smugglers are often found in groups here. |
Buy Escape From Tarkov Starter Pack
Prepare for the Epic Battle!
Focus on maps with 66% spawn rates like Interchange and Shoreline for consistent Smuggler encounters. Use secure containers to protect rare loot like locked cases and keys. For quick and efficient farming, try Factory due to its small size.
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | Smugglers tactics
Smugglers in Escape from Tarkov are mid-level AI enemies that spawn in groups of three. They are armed with decent gear and can be tricky to fight if you are not prepared. They drop valuable loot, including locked cases and keys, so proper tactics are essential to take them down effectively and safely.
| Tactic | Details |
| Engage from a distance | Smugglers are strong in close-range combat. Use long-range weapons to pick them off safely. |
| Focus on one Smuggler at a time | Eliminate one at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. |
| Use cover effectively | Smugglers have decent aim—use obstacles and terrain to minimize exposure. |
| Attack during reloads | Smugglers take time to reload. Use this window to push or reposition. |
| Flank their position | Smugglers tend to hold their ground; flanking can catch them off guard. |
| Use grenades | Grenades are effective for flushing Smugglers out of cover or dealing group damage. |
| Prepare for groups | Always expect three Smugglers together; plan your attack for group combat. |
| Check for loot quickly | Smugglers carry event-specific keys and locked cases—loot their bodies as soon as it’s safe. |
| Bring a secure container | Store keys, locked cases, or contraband in your container to avoid losing them on death. |
| Teammates are key | Work with teammates to cover angles and split targets for efficient group elimination. |
Buy Escape From Tarkov Veteran Pack
Just Survive!
Escape from Tarkov Smugglers | smugglers 2024 quests
The Smugglers event in Escape from Tarkov adds three exciting quests. These quests involve finding locked cases, defeating Smugglers, and collecting special contraband. Completing these quests gives valuable rewards like weapons, ammo, and crafting items. Each quest has specific tasks, so check map locations and prepare carefully.
| Quest Name | Task | Reward Highlights |
| That’s a Great Plan, Walter | Find and turn in 3 locked cases. | XP, rubles, skier reputation, and crafting unlocks. |
| Chop the Thieving Hand | Kill 25 Smugglers found on most maps (except Labs and Ground Zero for players under level 21). | Ammunition, weapons, and battle magazines. |
| Shell Game | Collect and turn in 15 contraband items from locked cases. | M60 machine gun, high-tier ammo, and special armored rigs and backpacks. |
That’s a Great Plan, Walter Escape from Tarkov Guide
In this quest, you need to find 3 locked cases and give them to Skier. Locked cases are scattered across different maps or can be looted from Smugglers. Completing this quest unlocks crafting for Opened cases and Opened boxes, and you get XP, roubles, and special gear rewards. Focus on Factory, Interchange, Shoreline, and Customs to find the cases.
| Task | Details |
| Quest Giver | Skier |
| Objective | Locate and turn in 3 locked cases |
| Rewards | +6,200 EXP +0.03 Skier Rep Up to 46,000 Roubles Ballistic plates Craft unlocks |
| Best Maps for Cases | Factory, Interchange, Shoreline, Customs |
| Related Quest | Leads to Chop the Thieving Hand |
Buy Escape From Tarkov Ultimate Pack
Prown the Tarkov!
Tips for Completing the Quest
- Factory Runs — Fast and efficient due to small map size. Check the office and lab areas.
- Interchange Power Station — Search the power unit and nearby red sofa.
- Shoreline Base — Visit the Smuggler’s Hideout for a higher chance of finding locked cases.
- Stay Safe — Use secure containers for keys or other rare loot while farming.
- Team Up — Play with friends to cover areas faster and fight off enemies.
Complete this quest to unlock crafting options and prepare for the next step in the Smugglers event questline!
You can look in Factory, Interchange, Shoreline, and Customs. Each map has specific spots where cases often spawn. Focus on these areas to finish the quest faster!
| Location | Details |
| Factory | – Office with breachable door (1st floor). – Laboratory area. |
| Interchange | – Power station area. |
| Shoreline | – Smuggler’s base near the campsite. |
| Customs | – Tarcone Director’s Office in Big Red. |
Chop the Thieving Hand Escape from Tarkov Guide
In this quest, you must eliminate 25 Smugglers, who spawn on most maps. Smugglers are medium-difficulty enemies found in high-value areas. Completing this quest gives great rewards like weapons, ammo, and reputation boosts. Focus on maps like Factory, Interchange, and Shoreline for consistent spawns.
| Task | Details |
| Quest Giver | Skier |
| Objective | Kill 25 Smugglers |
| Rewards | +11,400 EXP +0.07 Peacekeeper Rep Up to 575 Roubles FN SCAR-L rifle Ammo and mags |
| Smuggler Locations | All maps except Ground Zero (Level <21) and The Lab |
| Next Quest | Leads to Shell Game |
Best Maps to Kill Smugglers
This thing lists the best maps to find and kill Smugglers. It also gives tips for fighting them on each map.
| Map | Smuggler Spawn Locations | Tips |
| Factory | – Second floor med room – Near fan and small chair | High spawn rate in close-quarters combat. Use grenades and shotguns for quick kills. |
| Interchange | – Power station – Cargo spawns inside the mall | Smugglers appear near loot hotspots. Long-range weapons work well here. |
| Shoreline | – Smuggler’s Hideout near campsite – Around cottages | Smugglers travel in groups—attack from a distance to avoid getting overwhelmed. |
| Customs | – Near ZB-13 extract – Big Red (Tarcone Director’s Office) | Good mix of open areas and buildings. Smugglers may be scattered, so check methodically. |
Shell Game Escape from tarkov guide
In this quest, you need to find and hand over 15 contraband boxes from locked cases to Skier. You can find these boxes by opening locked cases on Smugglers or in specific locations across Tarkov. Completing this quest gives amazing rewards like a powerful light machine gun, armor, backpacks, and lots of cash.
| Task | Details |
| Quest Giver | Skier |
| Objective | Hand over 15 contraband boxes from locked cases |
| Rewards | +23,600 EXP +0.12 Skier Rep Up to 115,000 Roubles M60E6 LMG Ammo, armor, and backpacks |
| Related Items | Contraband boxes found inside locked cases |
Best Locations to Find Contraband Boxes
This lists where to search for locked cases that contain contraband boxes. It also provides tips for efficient searching.
| Map | Locked Case Locations | Tips |
| Factory | – Breachable door on the first floor – Laboratory area | Factory is small—check these spots quickly and reset the raid for more cases. |
| Interchange | – Power station – Cargo areas inside the mall | Use Interchange for efficient loot runs while avoiding Smuggler AI if needed. |
| Shoreline | – Smuggler’s base near the campsite – Around cottages | Shoreline has good open areas to avoid surprise fights while searching for locked cases. |
| Customs | – Tarcone Director’s Office (Big Red) – Near ZB-13 extract | Focus on Customs if you already have keys for these locations to save time. |
Tips for Completing the Quest
- Bring Keys — Some locations like Tarcone’s Office require specific keys to access locked cases.
- Scavenge Safely — Avoid unnecessary fights; use stealth to check Smuggler spawns and loot areas.
- Stack Your Loot — Always open locked cases for contraband boxes, even if you find them on Smugglers.
- Use High-Yield Maps — Focus on Factory and Interchange for faster case spawns and shorter raid times.
- Sell Extra Items — Skier only needs contraband boxes; keep and sell any other valuable loot you find.
Conclusion
and valuable loot. Smugglers can be found on most maps, dropping locked cases and special items. The event has three main quests—That’s a Great Plan, Walter, Chop the Thieving Hand, and Shell Game—each with unique objectives and big rewards like weapons, ammo, and armor.
To succeed, focus on maps like Factory, Interchange, Shoreline, and Customs for high spawn rates of Smugglers and locked cases. Use teamwork, bring secure containers for loot, and plan your tactics carefully. Completing these quests will not only give you great rewards but also prepare you for future challenges in Tarkov.
