Escape From Tarkov usually goes through a complete wipe every five months or so, though in 2024 timings have started to shift. This is the perfect time to jump in as a new player, given that your gear and character will be in the same place as everyone else's. Giving up this gear and starting fresh is the great leveller for Tarkov, and it leads to some of the best firefights in the game as players with busted-up SKS rifles go toe to toe with those clutching cheaply made, half-built submachine guns.
Better yet each wipe chucks a load of new content into the mix meaning that each loop a Tarkov player completes — Groundhog Day style — things will be just a little different. It's systems like this that make Tarkov one of the best FPS games you can play right now.
Usually, Battlestate Games will start teasing a wipe on Twitter, before slowly triggering crazy in-game events for players to enjoy before the rest. In the past we've seen airdrop-heavy events precede a wipe, as well as intense tweaks to enemy AI and boss behavior. Essentially, the game's meta is thrown to the wind, as players fight to stay alive under increasingly ridiculous circumstances. Here's what you need to know about the next Tarkov wipe.
When is the next Tarkov wipe?
The next Tarkov wipe date is unknown, however if things follow the same schedule as last year, it's possible that we'll get the Winter wipe before the end of December. Stay tuned for updates!
These wipes tend to happen every 6 months or so, and the last one took place on August 20, 2024, meaning we could be in for a slightly longer wait between wipes.
What is a wipe in Escape from Tarkov?
Every five/six months or so, an Escape From Tarkov wipe happens. This marks a full reset for players, with progression, quest progress, inventories and reputation with traders all being affected. This means that the period immediately following a wipe tends to be the best time for new players to jump in, as all players are on a level playing field in terms of gear.
Battlestate Games tends to build up to a Tarkov wipe by slowly disregarding the game's meta, adding in events that completely shake up the in-game economy. In the past, this has involved nightmarish weather changes, bosses appearing in huge numbers in certain areas, and even events where air drops are ridiculously plentiful. It can be a very fun time, and the perfect excuse to test out new tactics, and have fun with your squadmates.
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