The new patch for Escape from Tarkov is here and, in addition to the complete wipe and restart for all players, it also brings some important new features.
We have summarized all the important points of patch 0.15.0.0 in the following article.
Factory Overhaul
The Factory map has been given a major overhaul. Almost all textures and the entire geometry of the map have been replaced and the interior has been completely redesigned.
In addition, the map is now significantly larger, has new entrances and paths and even an outdoor area that leads around the facility.
The loot spawns have also been revised and existing quests for the location have been adapted and new quests added.
New boss – Partisan
A new boss has been added with the name Partisan. He is said to have a connection to the merchant Hunter and is a former army veteran. His specialty is traps, especially tripwire traps.
All that is known so far is that the boss stays on maps with a forest component, makes hardly any noise when approached and is said to appear mainly in raids with players who have a low PMC karma level.
It travels alone and sneaks up on its targets for a long time before striking.
Karma
“Karma” has been added as a new character value in this patch, but you cannot see your Karma value yourself. Karma increases and decreases with various player actions, but it is not yet known exactly which actions trigger this.
The developers describe it as follows: Karma can be increased with a “more open play style” and decreased with a “dishonest play style”.
There will be a sound effect for some of the actions that indicates a change.
Tripwire traps
New to the game is the tripwire feature, which you can use with the “Tripwire Installation Kit” item.
To get it, you have to complete a quest series for hunters and can then purchase it from them.
The item can then be used by carrying it, picking up a grenade and pressing the “B” button. This will then take you to the “Trip Wire Mode”.
The trap has a minimum and maximum length and can be set up on any reasonably straight surface.
The tripwire can be triggered by a series of actions:
- Shot at the wire from close range
- Through explosive shrapnel
- Through contact with a physical object (player, scavs, items)
Depending on the grenade used, the grenade goes off at different speeds after activation. The time from activation to detonation can now be found in the description of the grenade.
Tripwire traps can be disarmed. To do this, you must approach the trap carefully and select the option in the context menu.
However, you will be vulnerable during this time and it will take a short time to complete the process. If you have a multitool with you during the action, the time is significantly reduced.
After deactivation, you can pick up the grenades and take them with you.
Tripwire traps also disarm themselves after a certain time (probably after a few minutes).
Traveling between Maps
Another new feature is the ability to travel from map to map. To do this, you have to go to a transit area on the map and select the option in a context menu.
These transit areas will become available and usable 7 minutes after the start of the raid.
As soon as you are in the transit zone, you can send some of your loot to your camp for a fee.
Then it’s on to the next map.
You can only travel from map to map together as a predetermined group. However, players can team up in a raid and then go into transit together.
To introduce the feature, there is a marathon event in which you have to travel through all the maps in one go.
If you manage to do this, you will be credited with an achievement.
Weapon Bipods and mounting of weapons
You now have the option of placing or mounting your weapons. You can place your weapons on suitable horizontal or vertical surfaces (default button: V).
This significantly reduces recoil and stamina consumption when firing the weapon.
Weapons with a weapon stand/bipod can be mounted using the CTRL+V key combination.
This reduces recoil and stamina consumption as well as weapon sway.
An icon in the corner of the screen shows you whether your weapon is currently mounted or in the current position.
New zones in the hideout
There are two new zones or elements in the hideout:
Equipment stand
The equipment stand has up to three expansion levels and is a kind of doll in which you can place equipment sets.
You can then equip the sets directly from the dolls.
Cultist Circle
The Cultist Circle is a new zone outside the actual hideout. Here you can sacrifice up to 5 items to receive items in exchange from the cultists.
Each item has a value. The values of the individual items are added together and the value of the item you receive is based on this value.
If you exceed a certain threshold value, there is a 25% chance that you will receive items that you need for currently active quests and unfinished hideout upgrades.
In addition, you can use the “Sacred Amulet” and your Lair Management skill to increase the quality of the items you receive.
Owners of the “Unheard Edition” immediately start with a ready-to-use and fully built version of the Circle.
AI improvement in PvE mode
The AI in PvE mode has been given a makeover and now reacts according to the relationships between the individual factions in the Tarkov universe.
These reactions range from immediate aggressive attacks to threatening gestures, neutral behavior and friendly gestures.
These changes apply in particular to AI PMCs, but also to Scavs. Each bot has a “mood” that is set at the start of the raid.
This determines its reaction to all elements of the game.
Faction interactions will later also be available in PvP mode.
New weapons, equipment & loot
No Escape from Tarkov update is complete without a whole range of new weapons and equipment. Patch 0.15.0.0 introduces the following new features, among others:
New weapons
- IWI UZI 9×19 submachine gun
- IWI UZI PRO Pistol 9×19 submachine gun
- IWI UZI PRO SMG 9×19 submachine gun
- SR-3M 9×39 compact assault rifle
- Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mk XIX .50 AE Pistol
- Magnum Research Desert Eagle L5 .50 AE Pistol
- Magnum Research Desert Eagle L5 .357 Pistol
- Magnum Research Desert Eagle L6 .50 AE Pistol
- Magnum Research Desert Eagle L6 .50 AE Pistol (WTS)
- U.S. Ordnance M60E4 7.62×51 light machine gun
- U.S. Ordnance M60E6 7.62×51 light machine gun
- U.S. Ordnance M60E6 7.62×51 light machine gun (FDE)
New caliber
- .50 Action Express
New ammunition
- .50 AE FMJ
- .50 AE JHP
- .50 AE Copper Solid
- .50 AE Hawk JSP
QoL improvements
Some improvements concern functionalities in the game that the community has been asking for for a long time.
Variable zoom
These include a customizable, variable zoom for the following scopes:
- Burris FullField TAC30 1-4×24 30mm riflescope
- EOTech Vudu 1-6×24 30mm riflescope
- Leupold Mark 4 LR 6.5-20×50 30mm riflescope
- March Tactical 3-24×42 FFP 30mm riflescope
- Vortex Razor HD Gen.2 1-6×24 30mm riflescope
- SIG TANGO6T 1-6×24 30mm riflescope
- Hensoldt FF 4-16×56 34mm riflescope
- Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 34mm riflescope
- Schmidt & Bender PM II 3-20×50 34mm riflescope
- Schmidt & Bender PM II 5-25×56 34mm riflescope
- NcSTAR ADO P4 Sniper 3-9×42 riflescope
- KMZ 1P59 3-10x riflescope
- KMZ 1P69 3-10x riflescope
vSchmidt & Bender PM II 1-8×24 30mm riflescope
The new hotkey for using the zoom adjustment is ALT + scroll.
Select grenade
By pressing the G button, you can now quickly access the grenade you are carrying via the quick access bar. If you hold down the G key, you can select from all grenades.
New hotkey for melee combat
The new standard hotkey for the melee weapon is the “U” key. Pressing the “U” key twice now executes a melee attack.
Balancing adjustments
- The objectives for the objectives for tasks “Setup” and “Long Road” have been simplified.
- Trade offers for class 6 body armor, plate carriers, ballistic plates, and helmet modifications have been completely removed from vendors. These items can now only be found in raids.
- The availability of ammunition on the flea market has been changed. Now all ammunition with a penetration of less than 42 is allowed on the flea market, with a few exceptions.
- The damage of 7.62×39, 5.45×39 and 9×21 caliber ammunition has been increased.
- The damage of some 5.56×45 caliber ammunition has been slightly reduced.
Technology & Graphics
- Fixed clipping of some equipment on the character.
- The FSR technology has been updated to version 3.0.
- The visual representation of clouds has been improved and now matches the weather and weather changes.
- Improved the display of the weather state on the player client.
- The season has been changed to “Summer”.
Sound improvements
A whole range of new sounds have been added, partly to increase the immersion in the game itself. These include ambient sounds such as crickets outside or water audibly flowing through the sewers.
Work has also been done on the performance of the sound system itself and it has been calibrated so that it should now be easier to localize sound sources and the sound generally sounds better.
In addition, the sounds of all headsets in the game have been adjusted and improved. Each headset now has its own sound setting, which is tuned differently.
Anti-cheat measures
- Implemented protection against a number of exploits related to the monitoring of loot at players/locations using prohibited software.
- Implemented protection against a number of exploits related to network synchronization and unfair movement using banned software.
