Most Escape from Tarkov Masks Will Soon Lose Their Armor
The CQCM will keep its armor properties, but no patch date has been attached to the planned change.
Most masks in Escape from Tarkov will soon lose their armor properties, with the CQCM remaining as the lone exception. The change was raised in an Escape from Tarkov subreddit discussion that points to a post from the Nikgeneburn X account.
The post says the armor attributes on the affected masks will be removed soon. Its attached images show several mask items, but the CQCM is the only piece specifically identified as retaining its protective properties.
soon armor attributes of those masks will be removed 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/vjybYNQLyJ
— Nikita Buyanov (@nikgeneburn) August 30, 2026
Battlestate Games has not provided a patch number or rollout date for the adjustment. Until the change goes live, players should not assume that the armor values have already been removed from their masks.
Removing armor from nearly every mask would make the CQCM the clear exception for players who want head protection without changing to a traditional helmet. The announcement does not explain whether the CQCM will receive any other adjustments alongside the change.
Do you think the CQCM should keep its armor properties, or should every mask become purely cosmetic? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Escape from Tarkov
Developed by Battlestate Games
