While we here at ESTNN in Escape From Tarkov do not endorse rat behavior, we actively encourage it. If you can survive the fight and even save some money on ammunition, why fight and try?
enter the rat mentality
The concept of the rat was once defined by Tarkov scholar General Sam, when he tried to sort Tarkov’s creatures into one of two camps: the Chad and the Rat. A Chad is usually recognized as a player who knows without fear and is looking for a fight. They are just as aggressive, but a bit more reasonable than the Tagila. But only a little.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have the rat. The rat is an evil creature, ready to sink to the lowest level to procure debris. Doesn’t matter what it takes. And the rat is not ashamed to admit that it is a rat. It actually takes pride in the path it has chosen and will constantly try to corrupt others with their way of life.
It is speculated that Chat and Rat are completely different species or Tarkov players, but this is a common misconception. They exist on a spectrum, and more experienced players will flip between those two play styles at once. But there are some specimens who value honor and prestige. Like idiots! If you don’t feel an ant’s itch wait for the rest of the raid on your extract for a potential kill. Then you are wrong here, friend! But give me some time and let me corrupt you. Because being a rat doesn’t mean just hiding in corners and playing safe. It’s about exploiting the goodwill of others!
rating for beginners
If you are starting to become a small rat, it is most important that you choose your territory wisely. Whichever map you choose, it will be your bread and butter. You’ll learn the ins and outs, every little rathole, every stash location, and every corner should be second nature to you. Now, the typical rat will usually prefer smaller maps with lots of loot hotspots. Reserve, Customs and Interchange are probably the most popular. Each spawn point has fast access to the fat loot and has several hidden holes to lay down.
When you start out in a raid, you want to go inside with the bare necessities, so the space eaten up by the extra ammunition can be better filled with loot. So here’s a little pro-rat tip. Get an SKS and only take 60 bullets with you. If you’re out to get rich, I guarantee you won’t even go through those 60 bullets. Similar tactics can be employed with a shotgun. The type of ammunition you take with you is much more important than what you have. And should you fear losing those expensive pills, you can always keep them in their safe containers.
While we’re on the topic of equipment, you don’t want to take stuff in the raid with you that costs little and effectively nothing. At least for your kind of play style when you want to avoid encounters all together. And try to fall on someone. So carrying a helmet with you may not always be the smartest move. Similarly, for armor, but you’ll have to figure out for yourself what you’re comfortable with. Of course, it’s best to run a cheap armored rig, as only in rare cases will someone actually rob them from you. Because players tend to go for equipment that is better than what they are.
On that note, you should also scam insurance as much as you can. I’ve been rocking the same 4SKS and chest rig for a few days now. And if you find anything worth taking and replacing them, do it. You can also use the insurance you have already paid for. I should also mention that when you’re out running with friends and they die. No one needs to know that you banished them for their gear, even if you swore you’d hide it. It’s just business, tell them you need to wreck.
Bring a foregrip or gas stopper with rails on them. They only take up one inventory slot and are usually quite cheap. But you can throw multiple attachments at those bad boys, which saves a lot of space in your inventory. And on the topic of backpacks, consider going with something that is a medium size unless you have the extra money. You can always upgrade in-raid by killing Scav or other players. And if you’re standing in a marked room, there’s no inventory space to clear out early in the raid. Just wait, someone will come and check at the end. Probably already robbed for you and a nice backpack.
advanced rating
Let’s indulge in some more dirty tricks. You know, the kind you probably shouldn’t brag about in the open. But who are we kidding here? You are proud of who you are. Dirtiest player in the game. Morality is optional, and the only limit here is your imagination. What sets you apart from other PMCs and Scavs is your brain. That beautiful mind hidden behind your eyes was completely focused on profit.
Proximity voice chat is a beautiful thing, it is probably one of the best features of Tarkov. Make good use of it. You would assume that most players value their lives, no one wants to lose that loot, right? And you can bet your butt that most players are probably just as scared of you as you are of them. Make good use of it. Assess their gear, find out how they can tick up. I guarantee you, most players who don’t look like a tank on two legs want to avoid dying for unnatural reasons. Despite Tarkov’s extraordinary characteristic of being ruthless, each and every one of us craves companionship.
You should use it, can you afford to be someone who has a GPU or an item case? Unless it’s yours, you can’t. The other players are loot pinatas and if you want to make a living in Tarkov, you can treat them like humans. So try to start a conversation, try to figure out where they went, what their gear is like. Maybe they need something to recover. A single use of a pain reliever or CMS kit is a small price to pay for dog tags and some loot.
Some players make it easy to fall into a false sense of security. A small gesture can earn their trust and then again when they are busy with a treat or a meal. Possibly after playing with them and chatting for a while, you kill them when they don’t expect it. Why? Because they’re all for you, rob. And there is no moral doubt either. In this rat world rats eat and can you stand being hungry? Maybe, but why should you?
And if you spend any time around the Tarkov community, you’ve probably already heard whispers about those malicious creatures known as ‘exit-campers’. The thing about exit camping is that it is not very time efficient. You can consider doing this while waiting for the raid timer. But sitting somewhere for potentially 10-20 minutes is not true rat behavior. Instead, we camp in high loot areas and doors that require keys.
Now you probably know about the rooms marked in dorm customs, right? We could play ratty, run there as fast as we can, camp in the room opposite the marked room and risk getting scary with Reshma and the boys. But why do all the work when someone else can do it for us? So go camping instead, find a comfy bush to sit on and see what’s up. Chances are, especially when no shots are fired near it, that someone will come and rob. They can also take out all the scavenges and open the marked room with a key.
After the looting, they’ll probably try to make it to the nearest exit. You wouldn’t believe how many people stop patting their backs once they’re full of booty. And then all you have to do is take a shot, throw a grenade, and all that loot can be yours. Better yet, it will most likely be pre-filtered and you won’t have to go through the furious struggle of looting all those bodies and rooms. You may miss some items, but the loot will come to you with express delivery.
Hope you learned something here today. That the real difference between a rat and a chad isn’t in what gear they wield, or whether or not they fight. The line is a simple question of ethics and how low you are willing to sink to purchase the wreck. And at the end of the day, what can friendship and a good reputation buy you at Tarkov?
Hopefully, this little beginner’s guide to embracing your dark side has opened your mind a little. Because being a rat doesn’t just mean keeping quiet or avoiding conflict. It’s about embracing the inner ghost while thinking outside the box. Playing Escape from Tarkov is not only playing the game, but also playing the people you are playing with. So go out there and get a little creative, trust me. You wouldn’t believe the opportunity that a hobo bag on the road can provide.
Once I stop camping off the roof of the Health Resort, we’ll have more escapes from Tarkov Stuff. For more information, visit us here at ESTNN
