Alright, fellow PMCs, the time has come. If you thought 2024 had thrown its final curveballs, you forgot that Tarkov always has one more grenade to lob into the chaos. Tomorrow, December 26, patch 0.16.0.0 for Escape from Tarkov and 0.2.5.0 for Tarkov Arena will drop, bringing the event we all love to hate the wipe.
Let’s talk about what this means, what to expect, and why this is your chance to relive the thrill (and frustration) of starting from scratch.
Tomorrow, December 26, at 7:00 AM GMT / 2:00 AM EST we are planning to install patches 0.16.0.0 for #EscapefromTarkov and 0.2.5.0 for #TarkovArena. The installation will take approximately 8 hours. The installation of updates may be extended if required. The games will not be… pic.twitter.com/EDia6sxGhA
— Escape from Tarkov (@tarkov) December 25, 2024
At 7:00 AM GMT / 2:00 AM EST, Battlestate Games will take the servers offline for approximately 8 hours (though let’s be honest, “8 hours” in Tarkov time might as well mean “we’ll see how it goes”). Escape from Tarkov and Tarkov Arena will receive significant updates during this time.
A complete wipe will be rolled out for both games. That means every stash, every key, every ruble, and every piece of hard-earned loot is returning to the void. PMCs, it’s time to say goodbye to your meta kits and hello to those janky shotguns and Scav vests.
While the full patch notes aren’t out yet, we know this update is big. Battlestate Games has teased some profound changes, judging by the unfolding cryptic event chain. This isn’t your standard patch. Here are a few likely suspects:
- New Weapons and Gear: Expect some fresh tools of destruction to grace your stash (once you’ve managed to rebuild it, of course). Rumors suggest revamped weapon mods and possibly new trader stock.
- Map Tweaks and Enhancements: Battlestate tends to refine existing maps or introduce changes that keep us guessing with each significant patch. Will Lighthouse get more spicy? Will Customs become even more of a deathtrap? Only time will tell.
- Tarkov Arena Progression: Patch 0.2.5.0 for Tarkov Arena could mean new arenas, enhanced matchmaking, or tweaks to make the brutal combat system even tighter. Arena fighters, get ready.
- Economy Reset: With the wipe, everyone starts from zero. Traders will have fresh stock, and the flea market will be unregulated for the first week. Pro tip: watch high-demand items like keys and barter goods. They’ll dictate the early-game economy.
Let’s be honest, PMCs. A wipe is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it’s a chance for everyone, even those hiding in bushes for months, to start on equal footing. On the other hand, it’s the return of the ultimate struggle: pistols vs. fully geared Chads by day two.
