Surviving My First Wipe: A Newcomer’s Journey in Escape from Tarkov
When I first loaded into Escape from Tarkov, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
As someone who enjoys FPS games but had never played something as hardcore as Tarkov, I was both excited and intimidated. This was my first wipe—a fresh start where everyone is on equal footing—and I was about to discover just how brutal and rewarding this game could be.
From the very first raid, Tarkov made it clear that it wasn’t going to hold my hand. Thankfully I did have some expert help because the UI was confusing, the maps felt like mazes, and I had no idea where to extract.
Every encounter with another player and sometimes a Scav ended in my death, and even with a shepa I was running out of inventory space, confused, and questioning my decision to jump into such a punishing game.
But there was something about it that kept me coming back, the adrenaline took over. Every death was a lesson, every failed raid taught me something new. The game doesn’t just reward skill; it rewards patience, planning, and knowledge. And despite the frustration, I found myself craving that next run, that next fight, that next small victory.
For a new player, every bit of progress feels like an achievement. My first successful scav run—where I actually made it out alive with loot—felt like I had just won a marathon, my heart was racing, and I smiled from ear to ear. Each piece of gear I extracted meant I was getting better, learning to survive.
The real breakthrough moment, though, was my first scav kill. It was clumsy, I panicked, and my aim was all over the place. But when I saw that body drop, I felt a rush of excitement.
That was my kill! I had survived long enough to take someone else down instead of being the victim. It might not seem like much to a veteran, but for me, it was a massive confidence boost.
If killing a scav was exciting, killing my first player was a full-blown adrenaline rush. I was a scav, defending my terf from another player scav who managed to kill my guide. I heard footsteps, my heart started pounding, and before I could overthink, I took the shot, spraying the player with bullets from toe to head. The player dropped.
I stood there for a moment, barely believing what I had just done. My hands were shaking as I looted their gear, every second filled with paranoia that someone else would come for me.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions—fear, excitement and victory. That single moment created a spark and my love for Tarkov. It wasn’t just about winning fights; it was about overcoming fear, pushing through nerves, and mastering the chaos.
Escape from Tarkov is a game that doesn’t cater to casuals. It punishes mistakes, and the learning curve is as steep as a mountain. But that’s exactly why it’s so rewarding and a bit of a thrill ride.
The highs are incredible because the lows are so crushing. Every scav kill, every successful extract, every firefight survived—it all means something, especially to someone who is so terrible with FPS games. The game gives me some form of accomplishment… it’s a feeling I cannot put into words… I can only try and encourage you to try the game and experience the feeling!
If you’re a new player thinking about jumping into Tarkov, just know this: it will break you, but if you push through, you’ll experience some of the most intense and satisfying moments in gaming.
And if my first wipe has taught me anything, it’s that surviving Tarkov isn’t just about skill—it’s about persistence.
I personally think there is no other game like Tarkov, a game that tests you physically, and emotionally and changes you in every way. So if you are up for a challenge like no other, I dare you to try Escape from Tarkove today!
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