In my first few weeks of playing Tarkov, I didn’t think much of Ragman. He wasn’t selling guns or ammo, and I thought, “Why is this guy even here?”
Fast forward a couple of wipes later, and now I always prioritize unlocking Ragman as early as possible. Whether I’m in need of backpacks, rigs, armor, or even stylish threads just to flex a little in the Hideout, Ragman has it all.
This Ragman Tarkov Trader Guide is something I wish I had read early on. In this article, I’ll go over who Ragman is, what kind of trades and quests he offers, and most importantly, why you shouldn’t sleep on him if you want to survive and thrive in Escape From Tarkov.
Also Read: How to Trade in EFT- Tarkov Traders Guide
Ragman Tarkov Trader Guide: Who is Ragman?
Ragman’s full name is Arshavir Sarkisovich Abramyan, and in his past life, he used to run a shopping center in the suburbs of Tarkov. Sounds pretty normal, right? But in a city torn apart by conflict, Ragman quickly transitioned from mall manager to the go-to guy for tactical gear and clothing. These days, you’ll find him set up in Tarkov’s central market, trading in rubles and surrounded by piles of gear and apparel.
He specializes in:
- Tactical clothing and uniforms
- Armor vests and tactical rigs
- Headgear and face shields
- Backpacks of all sizes
- Storage containers like the Pilgrim or MBSS
- And even niche items like paracords and fabrics
Unlocking his full potential means grinding your way through his loyalty levels:
- LL2: Level 17, 0.00 rep, ₽750,000 in sales
- LL3: Level 32, 0.30 rep, ₽1,600,000 in sales
- LL4: Level 42, 0.60 rep, ₽2,500,000 in sales
It takes a while to build up that loyalty, but trust me, once you do, his gear selection will make a noticeable difference in your raids.
Also Read: Fence Tarkov Trader Guide
Ragman Trades
When it comes to trades, Ragman has some of the most interesting barters in the game. He often takes weird or seemingly useless items and gives you surprisingly solid gear in return. I’ve personally turned random junk I looted in filing cabinets and duffle bags into high-tier armor and bags through his trades.
What He Takes
While other traders mostly deal in rubles, Ragman wants items, which are some common, and others a bit obscure. Here are some examples of what he typically accepts:
- Textiles and materials like Ripstop, Cordura, and Fleece
- Tools like duct tape, sewing kits, or even electric drills
- Utility items such as paracord, gas analyzers, and bolts
- Clothing items like Ushankas or cowboy hats (especially for quests)
What He Gives
What you get in return from Ragman is where the real magic happens. His barters give you access to mid- and high-tier armor, rigs, and bags, sometimes way earlier or cheaper than just buying them outright.
- Trizip backpack for 2 Duct Tapes and 1 Paracord – perfect early wipe storage
- 6B23-2 Armor for hoses and military cables – solid Class 4 armor early game
- Highcom helmet for Ripstop and Fleece – head protection for budget loadouts
- TV-110 Tactical Rig for a Military Cable and D Batteries – huge storage and Class 4 armor combined
Also Read: Skier Tarkov Trader Guide
Ragman Quests
If there’s one thing that stands out about Ragman’s questline, it’s that he really forces you to move out of your comfort zone. Most of his tasks involve scavenging for gear, finding clothing items, turning in armor pieces, or killing scavs while wearing specific outfits.
A few quests that stood out to me:
- Make ULTRA Great Again – tasks you with exploring and surviving in Interchange. Super annoying early wipe but essential to learn the map.
- The Key to Success – a quest that requires you to find and turn in specific clothing items, like cowboy hats and ushankas.
- Hot Delivery – one of the most memorable quests that had me turning in 3 AVS rigs and 3 6B43 armors. Painful, but worth it.
Most of his quests will reward you with:
- Loyalty reputation (a must to level him up)
- Rubles
- Clothing unlocks (cosmetic but still fun)
- Access to better trades and gear
Personally, I found his quests to be more about preparation than skill. Unlike PvP-heavy questlines from Prapor or Skier, Ragman focuses more on collection and trade, which makes him approachable even for newer players.
Why Ragman Matters in Every Wipe
Every wipe resets everything, and it’s tempting to focus solely on the traders who offer weapons and ammo. But this is where many players go wrong. Ragman becomes incredibly important when you realize how much gear affects survivability and storage space.
From my experience, here’s why Ragman matters:
- Backpacks and storage – Carrying more means looting more, and that means faster progression.
- Armor access – Surviving gunfights becomes way easier once you’re not rocking soft vests.
- Stylish Clothing – Okay, it’s not functional, but looking good while looting is a vibe.
- Budget-friendly barters – Especially useful when your stash is filled with barter junk.
Ragman plays the long game. I’ve relied on him countless times to stay competitive without going broke. His armor barters alone have saved me millions of rubles in the long run.
Conclusion
Ragman might not sell guns or ammo, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating him. As someone who’s survived multiple wipes in Tarkov, I can confidently say that the Ragman Tarkov Trader Guide is essential knowledge for any serious PMC.
So, invest time in leveling him up, and you can thank me later when you’re way ahead of others in the wipe.
