Discover crucial techniques on how to die less in EFT and have more successful extractions.
Dying in Escape from Tarkov is inevitable, no matter how experienced you are. But what if you could die less often? That’s the focus here—how to die less in EFT by mastering a few key principles. We’re going to break it down into four main areas that all relate to movement.
Movement can make or break your raid, and once you understand how to move more effectively, you’ll see your survival rate improve. Whether you’re getting ambushed, sprinting across open ground, or sneaking through tight corners, these tips can help you stay alive just a bit longer.
As you play, you might stop doing certain things that worked before, without even realizing it. That’s why it’s important to be critical of your habits and work on improving specific aspects of your gameplay until they become second nature. We’re not diving into fight movement, but instead focusing on general movement around the map—where many players die without knowing what went wrong.
Here are the four principles that could help you on how to die Less in Escape from Tarkov.
4. COVER
One of the most important things that you should keep in mind as you move around the map in Escape from Tarkov is constantly asking yourself, “Where’s my cover?” This mindset is key to learning how to die less in EFT. Think about it: if you get shot at right now, where will you run? Can you make it to safety, or at least use something for cover to fight back?
In one instance on Reserve, I was trying to take the easy way out, skirting around to loot without much thought. However, I ended up in a tunnel with no cover, completely exposed, and predictably got hammered by some scavs. Even with decent armor, I was out of options. If I had taken the longer, safer route through the buildings, it could’ve turned out way better.
The key is to always plan your movement from cover to cover, even if it feels tedious at first. Eventually, it’ll become second nature, and you’ll automatically position yourself with safety in mind. When the bullets start flying, you’ll thank yourself for thinking ahead and having a place to duck into.
But imagine if you could walk through these walls. Check out what our EFT cheat’s wall hack can do!
3. ROUTE
The third principle for how to die less in EFT is planning your route wisely. As you move around the map, don’t just sprint blindly from point A to point B. You should always be thinking about moving from cover to cover while keeping likely sightlines in mind.
For example, when you’re near Dorms, use buildings and walls to block visibility from windows or high points where snipers might be waiting. This will give you a better chance of getting close without being picked off from afar.
In one game, after taking out an enemy, I knew charging straight to loot his body wasn’t a great idea since someone else was likely nearby. Sure enough, I started taking shots. Instead of staying in the open, I ducked back into cover, reassessed, and chose a safer route through some bushes and behind a building.
By minimizing how much time I spent in sightlines, I had a way better chance of surviving the encounter. I even managed to take some sneaky shots back at my attacker.
2. WHAT’S BEHIND
Keeping an eye on what’s happening behind you is a big part of dying less in EFT. In Tarkov, who sees who first is often the difference between life and a quick trip back to the lobby, thanks to the fast time to kill. Solo players especially need to be extra cautious since there’s no one else covering their backs.
As you move, you should constantly be thinking about blocking potential sightlines behind you. Imagine you’re watching yourself from above, seeing how your PMC is positioned in the world. When moving between covers, don’t just focus on what’s ahead, keep in mind what’s behind, too.
If you’re walking past a building or wall, that cover is now at your back, which can help shield you from enemies you didn’t see. This also applies when you’re on hills or higher ground—be aware that your silhouette might be visible to someone below. Lowering your profile can make you harder to spot. Always think about where you’re exposed and how you can stay hidden from all angles.
1. WALKING VS RUNNING
The final principle of how to die less in EFT is knowing when to run and when to walk. New players often underestimate just how much noise they make by running, especially when enemies are wearing good headsets. In Tarkov, sound is everything. If you’re constantly sprinting, you’re practically announcing your position to anyone nearby.
I’ve learned to be extra careful, especially when close to buildings or areas where I know there’s action. For example, if there’s a fight going on inside Dorms, sprinting around the outside could alert everyone inside to my exact position. Instead, I slow down and creep up, avoiding unnecessary attention.
More experienced players fall into a different trap: impatience. After enough raids, you might start feeling more confident and want to speed things up, running from point to point. It’s easy to forget that running makes you a prime target, even if it helps you escape a dangerous area quickly.
It’s all about balance. Sometimes running gets you out of a sticky situation fast, but other times, walking helps you stay under the radar. As you move through the map, assess the risks: is it more important to stay quiet or get out of there quickly?
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to Die Less in EFT comes down to building small but important habits. These four principles—cover, route planning, watching your back, and balancing running vs. walking may seem simple, but they can keep you alive much longer.
It’s really important to keep the basics in mind, especially when things get intense. I’ve been really focusing on this, and while I still have room to improve, being aware of my decisions has really helped me step up my game.
