Escape From Tarkov 16.0.0 Patch Notes

It is the most wonderful time of the year: Escape From Tarkov has a wipe, and patch 16.0.0 brings tons of new features, content, and tweaks to the game.

The snow is back with two concurrent events, new guns, a revamp of the good old customs map, and the all-new prestige system.

Escape From Tarkov 16.0.0 Patch Notes

The most anticipated feature of Escape From Tarkov patch 16.0.0 is the transition to Unity 2022, after multiple delays.

As is tradition in Escape From Tarkov, the patch trailer showcases some (but far from all) new things, and this time it comes with a banging post-punk soundtrack that some players speculate may be the debut of a Molchat Doma song.

Finally, Unity 2022

BattleState Games wanted to make the jump to Unity 2022 with patch 0.15.4.0 but decided to hold it back for testing a little more.

With less than a week left in 2024, this big-ticket item from the year’s roadmap is cleared. Escape From Tarkov now runs Unity 2022.3.43f1.

Another Audio Overhaul (Meta XR 69.0.0)

The audio system in Escape From Tarkov has seen better days, and this patch hopes to fix it with Meta XR Audio version 69.0.0.

This patch removes the binaural audio toggle and adds a new reverb system with physical-based sound bouncing, plus general improvements to dynamic audio.

Better AI Combat

The introduction of PvE mode earlier this year brought a lot of attention to AI limitations.

Based on player feedback, scavs, bosses, and AI PMCs will now put down suppressive fire, try flanking maneuvers, and have different aggressiveness settings.

Enemies equipped with GP-25 and M203 under-barrel grenade launchers will now use them, so bring an umbrella.

New Guns

It wouldn’t be an Escape From Tarkov wipe without new boomsticks and attachments to send people back to their hideouts.

• RShG-2 single-shot thermobaric rocket launcher
• Sako TRG M10 .338 Lapua Magnum bolt action rifle
• Aklys Defense Velociraptor .300 Blackout integrally-suppressed assault rifle
• Saiga-12K with selective fire
• FN SCAR-H with X17 lower receiver
• V40 mini-grenade
• Akula dagger

For SMG enjoyers, the SIG MPX, PP-19-01, and Saiga-9 got new 3D models and revamped parts compatibility.

The Prestige

Pouring hundreds of hours into an Escape From Tarkov wipe now comes with style and rewards as BSG introduces the Prestige system to PvP mode.

Reaching Prestige requires level 55, completing specific quests, skill levels and hideout zones, and ownership of special items.

When you reach a Prestige level, your profile resets, but you keep part of your equipment and skills. There are two Prestige levels available initially, but this will be expanded in future patches.

Prestige rewards include a special icon, armbands, dog tags, additional hideout customization options, and an extra daily and weekly task slot.

Khorovod Event

The Khorovod mode celebrates an East Slavic pagan dance. This will have a separate mode with special quests and decorations on the Shoreline, Lighthouse, Woods, Customs, Reserve, and Interchange maps.

Players open transits to other maps by defending a generator for five minutes and then lighting up a Christmas tree.

BTR Driver Quest Line

Everyone’s favorite (and only) taxi driver in the cordoned Norvinsk area needs a couple of favors, and you can help him starting from level 20 through the Mechanic quest “A Helping Hand”.

Hideout Customization & Hangouts

You can now make your hideout feel like home with new wall, floor, and ceiling customization options. These are unlocked through level progressions and tasks.

After almost a decade, you can finally visit your friends’ hideout to check out their living space. This also allows you to use their shooting range and gym, so you can get those gains at the expense of that one buddy who builds everything faster.

Customs Remake

The Customs map got a texture, lighting, and 3D model overhaul. Some buildings have been fully replaced with newer iterations.

On top of existing areas, there are new points of interest, and previously closed buildings in the industrial zone are now accessible. You can also use new exfil points including a transit to the Shoreline map.

Winter Wonderland

As is tradition for the last year, the winter wipe brings snow. Lots of snow. Crunching snowflakes under your boot is loud but the atmosphere is relaxing.

Adding to the survival element, you can get frostbite if you are out in the snow for too long. The effect does not deal damage but it reduces stamina and visibility.

You can remove it by seeking shelter, standing by a barrel fire, or drinking some alcohol. Bottoms up!

Visual Recoil Rework

A potentially controversial change in this wipe is the new visual recoil implementation.

Though the physical side is the same, the camera now has more sway when firing, making it harder to aim but more realistic.

This brings Escape From Tarkov closer in line with other modern tactical shooters like Squad.

Quality of Life Improvements

If your medkit has enough points left and you have multiple damaged body parts, you can now choose to heal all of them in one button press.

When looking at your stash, you now have priority windows to which you can send items. This is especially useful when moving ammunition around, as you can now Ctrl+click the rounds straight into the right box.

All maps now have hidden extracts that rely on finding randomly spawned items in raids. The full list will be available soon, but it is a godsend for when you have that LEDX in your pocket and the usual extracts sound busy.

No Flea Market For Two Weeks

The implementation of the Flea Market has been a hot topic, and project lead Nikita Buyanov voiced his desire to experiment with limiting it more.

In this wipe, access to the flea market will be restricted for two calendar weeks, keeping that early wipe charm going for a little bit longer even if you grind to level 15 on day one.

You can read the full patch notes for Escape From Tarkov 16.0.0 here.