It’s no wonder that we now have the official date for Escape From Tarkov’s upcoming wipe, which is scheduled for tomorrow, July 9. However, there is another piece of news that we have overlooked, and that is the following…
Earlier this week, Battlestate Games’ Nikita Buyanov teased the possible arrival of the AK-50, a weapon unlike any other in the game’s arsenal. This .50 BMG-powered rifle, inspired by a decade of work from YouTuber Brendan Herrera (known as The AK Guy), could disrupt Tarkov’s next big reset, dubbed the ‘hardcore wipe.’
The AK-50 isn’t your typical firearm. It’s a beast designed to one-shot kill through any armor currently in Tarkov, making it a potential game-changer for those brave enough to wield it. Nikita has showcased the weapon before, but never confirmed whether it will officially join the game’s lineup.
I'm sure that adding AK-50 to a hardcore wipe will be very hardcore. pic.twitter.com/ZdIuAkZV0X
— Nikita Buyanov (@nikgeneburn) July 7, 2025
From what Nikita said, this weapon would fit perfectly into the upcoming hardcore wipe, which promises to be the most punishing phase in Tarkov’s history. Traders will be limited, maps locked, AI enemies turned up a notch, and the Flea Market will shut down. It’s a brutal reset that’s got the PvP crowd both excited and skeptical.
This wipe might only affect PvP players. PvE fans won’t have to deal with these harsh changes, which might soften the blow for many. Still, the idea of a weapon that can punch straight through armor during such a punishing wipe sounds like a wild ride.
Given Battlestate’s history of rewarding streamers with distinct items, it’s not far-fetched to think that Brendan Herrera’s AK-50 could become a streamer item or even a rare find for players to fight over.
