Tarkov Maps Guide – Escape from Tarkov Maps Rated

Escape from Tarkov features several challenging maps that players can explore as and when they desire. Each map is unique and if the player wants to progress as far as possible through the game, they’ll need to visit each one. There’s still that freedom of choice, though – even if some players tend to stick to one or two ‘core’ maps. In this snapshot guide, we’re taking a look at all Tarkov maps, rating them according to their difficulty, layout, challenges, and loot potential.

If you’re new to the game and wondering which Tarkov maps are the best, read on. We’re breaking down every map in the game as briefly as possible, giving you the best idea we can of where you should be running first. If you’re a veteran player, perhaps you’ll learn something about a map you maybe don’t run as much as you should. It’s a subjective game and everyone plays it differently, but here’s our rating of the Tarkov maps – enjoy!

All Tarkov Maps, Rated
For each map, we’re looking at six categories, breaking down each of the Tarkov maps by these core criteria.

Customs

Customs is a solid map that’s perfect for new players, given that many of the game’s earlier tasks can be found on this map. It’s easy to learn and isn’t too challenging, and the map’s boss character is one of the easiest to defeat in the entire game.

Difficulty: Easy
Layout: Basic, simple to learn
Tasks: Forgiving
Loot: Great potential, lots of hidden caches
PvP: Choke points at Dorms, Stronghold, Crackhouse, Construction
Boss(es): Reshala, simple; Cultists at night; The Goons, very challenging

Factory
Factory is the smallest Tarkov map, which means it’s one of the most challenging maps when it comes to a fight. It also boasts one of the game’s hardiest bosses and barely any real opportunities to loot, which means it’s not a fan favourite.

Difficulty: Moderate
Layout: Very basic
Tasks: Some challenging tasks
Loot: Almost no real loot spots, highly contested
PvP: Almost guaranteed, tight corners
Boss(es): Tagilla, very hard; Cultists at night

Ground Zero

Ground Zero is the newest Escape from Tarkov map. It’s small and urban but boasts plenty of neat buildings to explore. It’s probably the best map for new players, and Battlestate Games, Tarkov’s developer, designed a series of minor tasks for new players to complete here.

Difficulty: Very easy
Layout: Basic, simple to learn
Tasks: Very easy
Loot: A few good spots, quite highly contested
PvP: Can be avoided, choke points are around task locations and extract points
Boss(es): None

Interchange
Interchange is a map set in a sprawling shopping mall and the surrounding area. It’s a daunting map for newcomers because it’s so complex to navigate and has one of the game’s most bloodthirsty bosses. It’s also a haven for those who like player-vs-player combat, which adds to the map’s difficulty level.

Difficulty: Hard
Layout: Quite challenging, lots of stores
Tasks: Moderate to challenging
Loot: Fantastic potential, everything from food to tech and from medical items to weapons
PvP: Everywhere inside the shopping mall – outside is mostly safe
Boss(es): Killa, one of the toughest in the game

The Lab

The Lab is a super-challenging location with some huge caveats. It’s fantastic for high-value loot runs, but it’s a tight-quarters environment where only the best combatants dare to tread. It can be attacked by Raiders – tougher AI enemies – and it needs a series of uber-rare ‘keycards’ to be navigated in full.

Difficulty: Very hard
Layout: Quite basic, with lots of rooms tucked away
Tasks: Moderate to challenging
Loot: Incredible potential, some of the best loot in the game
PvP: Everywhere, all the time – go equipped to fight because you will meet other players
Boss(es): None, only Raiders

Lighthouse
Lighthouse is a huge map on the seafront, boasting luxury villas, chalets, and some of the toughest enemies in Tarkov. It’s one of the best Tarkov maps for loot runs because of some of these enemies, though – so it’s worth the fight. It features a lot of mid-game tasks, so you’ll need to go there often.

Difficulty: Hard
Layout: Quite easy to learn, given time
Tasks: Challenging
Loot: Lots of top-tier loot sites, but they’re ‘guarded’
PvP: Long-range combat mostly, with some choke points in the Water Treatment Plant and the Chalet area
Boss(es): Goons, Rogues, Zryachiy, all challenging

Reserve

Reserve is a military base that has been left to rot – and be overtaken by Scav enemies and one of the most fearsome bosses in the game. It’s a relatively small map that’s easy to navigate but boasts a confusing subterranean level that can be invaded by tougher enemies than your average Scav.

Difficulty: Hard
Layout: Easy to moderately difficult to learn
Tasks: Moderate to challenging
Loot: Fantastic opportunities, if you’re willing to take risks
PvP: Almost always in the map’s ‘bunker’, mid-range combat on the surface
Boss(es): Gluhar, one of the toughest in the game; Raiders

Shoreline
Shoreline is another large map, but this one is spread out across a lot of woodland, with some points of interest being scattered around. There’s a central point called ‘The Resort’ that makes up the core of the map, and it’s here where fights happen – but it’s also where all the loot is.

Difficulty: Moderate
Layout: Large and open with only a few key points to learn
Tasks: Moderate to challenging
Loot: Plenty of brilliant loot spots but lots are hidden behind locked doors
PvP: Almost all PvP happens in the Resort or around the ‘Pier’ area; long-range combat in the woodland
Boss(es): Sanitar, quite challenging; The Goons, very challenging

Streets of Tarkov

Streets of Tarkov is the largest urban map and one of the most challenging Tarkov maps simply because it’s so complex. It’s made up of dozens of streets and even more buildings, and there are many extract sites, loot spots, and boss locations to learn, along with a roaming BTR and minefields.

Difficulty: Hard
Layout: Challenging to learn
Tasks: Moderate to challenging
Loot: Fantastic loot but you’ll need to explore to find it all
PvP: Lots of mid- to long-range combat; quest areas are choke points
Boss(es): Kallontay, quite challenging, Kaban, very difficult

Woods
Woods is the largest map in Escape from Tarkov, but it’s mostly just an open forest with mountainous areas. It has some key points of interest that you’ll want to check for loot, but you’ll need to keep your eyes open because most of the combat will happen across great distances through the forests and fields.

Difficulty: Easy to learn
Layout: It’s a big circle with very few pathways, but it’s easy to navigate
Tasks: Easy to moderate
Loot: There are a few key locations to check, but beyond that, it’s mostly barren
PvP: There will be fighting at the key locations: Sawmill, Med Camp, USEC Camp, and Checkpoint
Boss(es): Shturman, moderately challenging; The Goons, very challenging

That’s our breakdown of all the Tarkov maps, ranked and noted. If you’re new to Escape from Tarkov, make sure you’re soaking up the spread and exploring each and every map to find your favourite.

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