For players of Escape From Tarkov, the term wipe represents one of the most exciting yet challenging moments in the game’s lifecycle. A Tarkov wipe isn’t just a small update—it’s a complete reset of progress, levels, inventory, and the in-game economy. It marks the beginning of a new season and gives players a fresh start. Whether you’re a veteran survivor or a newcomer to the harsh world of Tarkov, understanding what a wipe means, why it happens, and how to prepare for it is essential.
What Is a Tarkov Wipe?
A Tarkov wipe is a total reset of your in-game progress. When a wipe occurs, everything you’ve earned or built up, your stash items, rubies, character levels, trader reputations, and completed quests is erased. You return to the same starting point as when you first began playing the game.
Here’s what typically gets reset during a wipe:
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Player level and experience
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Trader loyalty levels
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Quests and mission progress
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In-game stash, weapons, and equipment
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Hideout upgrades and modules
Essentially, the game starts over for everyone. The only thing you retain is your personal skill and knowledge of the game’s mechanics, maps, and strategies. This resets the playing field and ensures that all players, whether they’ve played for years or just joined, begin from the same point.
Why Do Tarkov Wipes Happen?
Battlestate Games, the developer behind Escape From Tarkov, implements wipes for several important reasons.
1. To Level the Playing Field:
After months of progression, some players accumulate huge amounts of gear, money, and trader reputation, which can make it difficult for newer or casual players to compete. A wipe resets everyone’s progress, giving all players a fair and equal opportunity to start again.
2. To Introduce New Content and Features:
Wipes often accompany major updates, new maps, or gameplay overhauls. If players kept their old progress, new content might not be experienced properly. Starting fresh ensures that everyone explores the new systems and mechanics together.
3. To Refresh the In-Game Economy:
Over time, Tarkov’s economy can become inflated, with certain items dominating the market. A wipe resets trader inventories, flea market prices, and the value of loot, allowing the economy to stabilize and evolve in new directions.
4. To Reignite Player Interest:
The first few weeks after a wipe are among the most exciting times in Tarkov. Everyone is starting over, gear is scarce, and every raid feels high-stakes. This surge of intensity and competition keeps the community active and engaged.
How Often Do Wipes Happen?
Traditionally, Tarkov wipes occur about every five to six months. Each wipe marks the start of a new season, where the game receives major updates and balance changes. However, the schedule isn’t set in stone. Battlestate Games may delay or accelerate wipes depending on development progress or testing needs.
In recent years, the developers introduced the concept of a Hardcore Wipe, which adds extra difficulty and limited features. During these special wipes, the flea market may be disabled, loot spawns become rarer, and certain maps or traders are locked. These wipes are designed to push players to rely on skill and strategy rather than on in-game wealth.
How to Prepare for a Tarkov Wipe
Preparation is key if you want to hit the ground running when the next wipe arrives. Here are some useful tips:
1. Clean Up Your Stash:
Sell off extra gear and materials before the wipe hits. Items lose all value once the reset happens, so use your stash to practice builds or complete quests you’ve been putting off.
2. Practice Combat and Movement:
Your early raids after a wipe will be with low-tier weapons and armor. Practicing aim, positioning, and sound awareness before the reset will make you more efficient when everyone starts over.
3. Learn Early Game Routes and Tasks:
The first few days of a wipe are all about completing beginner quests and finding key loot. Knowing where to find medical supplies, tools, and quest items can give you a major advantage.
4. Watch for Pre-Wipe Events:
Before a wipe, Battlestate Games often launches special events like unlimited trader sales, increased loot drops, or boss spawns. These are clear signs that a wipe is approaching, so take advantage of them for fun or practice.
5. Get Mentally Ready:
A wipe can feel discouraging if you’ve invested hundreds of hours into your progress. Remind yourself that everyone else is starting fresh, too, and that early wipes are the most fun period for most players.
What Happens After the Wipe
When the servers reset and the wipe officially begins, every player is thrust back into Tarkov with minimal gear. This is when the real excitement begins.
Early Phase:
Everyone is scavenging for basic equipment and medical supplies. PvP encounters are intense because players fight over limited resources. Weapons like shotguns, pistols, and SMGs dominate since high-end gear is rare. Completing the first few quests and unlocking early traders becomes your top priority.
Mid-Wipe Phase:
As players progress, the in-game economy starts to stabilize. Some begin acquiring stronger gear, while others focus on hideout upgrades and quest chains. This is the phase where skilled players begin to separate themselves from the rest.
Late Wipe Phase:
By this point, most players have achieved stable incomes, upgraded hideouts, and access to high-end gear. The gameplay becomes more tactical, and raids often feature better-equipped opponents. This is also when developers begin teasing the next wipe cycle.
Why Players Love (and Sometimes Dread) Wipes
The Excitement:
The early stages of a wipe bring a unique thrill. Every encounter is intense, every loot item feels valuable, and every victory counts. The equal footing among players fosters fairer fights and creative strategies.
The Frustration:
Not everyone enjoys losing all their progress. For some, it feels like all their hard work has been erased. It can also be stressful for players who prefer slower, more methodical progression. However, most of the community accepts wipes as an integral part of Tarkov’s design.
Tips for Success After a Wipe
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Focus on survival and completing early quests rather than chasing kills.
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Use affordable weapons and armor to minimize losses.
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Stick to familiar maps until you rebuild your stash.
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Team up with friends for better survival odds.
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Keep track of patch notes and updates, as balance changes often shift weapon effectiveness and loot distribution.
Final Thoughts
The Tarkov wipe is more than just a restart—it’s a chance for the community to come together, compete, and rediscover the thrill of survival. Every wipe redefines the game’s meta, reshapes the economy, and gives players new goals to chase.
Whether you see it as a challenge or a fresh beginning, one thing is certain: a Tarkov wipe keeps the game alive and unpredictable. It’s the moment when skill, adaptability, and map knowledge truly matter. So prepare your loadouts, plan your routes, and get ready to fight your way back to the top once the next wipe hits.
