Are you left behind this patch? Learn how to start a wipe late in Tarkov and bounce back!
Starting a wipe late in Tarkov can feel overwhelming. Everyone else already has top-tier gear, access to high-level traders, and a stash full of resources, while you’re running around with basic loadouts. I’ve been there, and trust me, it’s not impossible to catch up, you just need the right approach.
This guide will walk you through how to start a wipe late in Tarkov, covering what weapons to use, how to make money efficiently, which tasks to prioritize, and the best strategies to close the gap. Whether you’re a veteran returning mid-wipe or a new player jumping in late, these tips will get you up to speed fast.
How to Start A Wipe Late in Tarkov
1. Prioritize Leveling to 15
The number one goal when starting a wipe late in Tarkov is reaching level 15. This unlocks the Flea Market, which completely changes how you can acquire gear and supplies.
To level up quickly, I focus entirely on quests. Questing gives XP much faster than just running around looting or PvPing. Sure, you might die a lot while doing them, but that’s part of the process. Completing quests also levels up traders, which is crucial for getting better gear later on.
Once you hit level 15, start buying level 4 armor from the Flea Market. I recommend Zhuk-6a for its affordability and insurance return rate. If you want extra protection, Thor armor with the built-in aramid layer is a solid choice, though you’re less likely to get it back on insurance.
For weapons, 5.56 rifles with m855 ammo are my go-to. They’re accurate, have great range, and are easy to use. Avoid low-penetration rounds, Tarkov is all about armor penetration.
Also Read: How to Make Money Early Wipe: EFT Guide
2. Smart Money Management And Hideout Upgrades
One of the biggest mistakes I see late-wipe players make is focusing too much on looting instead of progression. You don’t need to farm money endlessly, rather focus on efficient income streams and put your rubles where they matter.
Instead of running dedicated “money runs,” I use my Scav runs on Factory. Spawn in, loot a few boxes, extract, repeat. It’s a quick, low-risk way to make cash. Plus, you’ll often spawn with decent loot like meds, ammo, or even rare items like Labs access cards.
Any extra money I make goes straight into my Hideout upgrades. Because I started late, upgrade costs are lower than at the beginning of a wipe, and these upgrades provide massive long-term benefits. The Medstation lets me craft Morphine for quests, the Workbench helps with ammo crafting, and the Intelligence Center speeds up Scav cooldowns. Always have an upgrade in progress.
3. Playing Solo vs. With a Squad
Solo play and squad play are completely different experiences in Tarkov. Personally, I find that running with a duo or trio makes starting a wipe late in Tarkov much easier.
Teammates provide backup in fights, can watch your body if you die, and might already have key items or quest access that you don’t. They can also throw your insured gear into a bush, increasing your chances of getting it back.
That said, playing solo has its advantages too. You move more quietly, can make your own decisions, and don’t have to worry about team coordination. If you’re running solo, play slower, be more cautious, and use sound to your advantage.
Also Read: Best Mid-wipe Weapons in Tarkov
4. Efficient Trader Leveling
Getting access to better gear through traders is essential. If you’re starting late, you’ll need to maximize reputation and money spent with each trader efficiently.
- Sell smartly: Instead of dumping loot randomly, sell melee weapons and food to Jaeger, shotguns and rifles to Skier, medical items to Therapist, and tech items to Mechanic.
- Repair armor selectively: If you need more rep with a specific trader, use their repair service. Ragman for armor, Mechanic for weapons.
- Peacekeeper cheese: The fastest way to level Peacekeeper is by buying USD with rubles, spending it on gear, then selling that gear back to other traders. This quickly meets his money-spent requirement without massive losses.
The faster you level up traders, the sooner you get access to stronger ammo, better armor, and useful barter trades.
5. Looting Smarter, Not Harder
Looting is essential, but many players loot inefficiently. When I started a wipe late in Tarkov, I avoided the high-traffic loot areas. Instead, I focused on jackets, filing cabinets, and toolboxes, as they contain valuable barter items that sell well and are needed for quests.
A simple trick is to focus on 10k rubles per slot item. If an item is worth less than 10k per slot, I don’t bother picking it up. Duffel bags, safes, and jackets are great for this.
I also invest in cheap but profitable keys. Customs safe keys, Shoreline’s Health Resort keys, and Interchange’s tech stores all pay for themselves in just a few runs. Good loot isn’t about finding the most expensive items, it’s about consistently extracting with value.
Also Read: EFT 0.16.0.0 Patch Notes: Wipe, Winter Season, and More!
6. Choosing the Right Map
Not every map is great for catching up. Streets of Tarkov, while fun, is a death trap for late starters. It’s swarmed with players, AI, and has tricky extractions.
Instead, I stick to Woods for long-range survival, Customs for structured PvP, and Interchange for consistent loot. If you’re comfortable with CQB, Factory can be a great spot for quick fights and money runs.
The best map for you is the one where you survive the most. Surviving and extracting is the fastest way to progress, so pick a map where you can consistently get out alive.
Conclusion
Starting a wipe late in Tarkov isn’t easy, but it’s completely doable with the right mindset and strategies. Focus on leveling, prioritize quests, make smart financial decisions, and play to survive, not just to fight. With this game plan, you’ll catch up in no time.
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