Do Scavs Hunt You Down in Tarkov? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Scavs, or Scavengers, do hunt you down in Escape From Tarkov, but the specifics depend on several factors, including your Scav karma, the type of Scav, and your actions. AI Scavs, controlled by the game’s artificial intelligence, will react differently to you based on whether you are playing as a PMC (Private Military Company) or a Scav. When playing as a PMC, most AI Scavs will engage you on sight, while your interactions as a player Scav are more nuanced. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for survival in the harsh world of Tarkov.
Understanding Scav Behavior
AI Scavs vs. Player Scavs
The key distinction lies between AI Scavs and Player Scavs. AI Scavs are essentially NPC enemies programmed to patrol areas, loot, and defend their territory. They’re generally hostile to PMCs. Player Scavs, on the other hand, are players who spawn into a raid with randomized gear and the objective to loot and extract. Their interaction with AI Scavs is influenced by their Scav karma.
Scav Karma (Fence Reputation)
Scav karma, also known as Fence reputation, is a system designed to encourage cooperation among Player Scavs. Your karma is directly tied to your reputation with the trader Fence. Killing other Scavs as a Scav negatively impacts your karma, while actions like using car extracts as a PMC or co-operating with PMCs as a Scav can improve it.
How Karma Affects Scav Aggression
- High Karma (6.0+): AI Scavs will generally be friendly and will not attack you unless provoked. They might even follow you or offer you voice lines of support. This makes looting much safer and easier.
- Neutral Karma (Around 0.0): AI Scavs will usually leave you alone if you don’t bother them. They are more easily provoked.
- Low Karma (-5.0): AI Scavs will attack you on sight. This makes playing as a Scav extremely difficult, as you are essentially hunted by everyone.
Scav Raiders and Bosses
Scav Raiders and Scav Bosses represent a different level of threat. Raiders are typically better equipped and more aggressive than regular Scavs. Initially friendly to Scavs (both AI and player), they will become hostile if provoked or if you get too close and ignore their warnings. Certain bosses, like Killa and Tagilla, are universally hostile to everyone, regardless of faction or karma. Others, like Sanitar, may show initial neutrality but quickly turn aggressive if threatened or if their guards are attacked.
Factors Influencing Scav Aggression
Proximity and Provocation
Even with high karma, AI Scavs can become aggressive if you get too close to them, especially if they perceive you as a threat. Firing your weapon near them, looting containers they are guarding, or simply bumping into them repeatedly can trigger their aggression.
“Tagged and Cursed” Status
PMCs can become “tagged and cursed”, often by entering a raid with minimal gear or by killing other PMCs early in the raid. When this happens, AI Scavs will actively hunt them down, knowing their approximate location within a 150-meter radius. This creates a high-pressure situation for the “tagged and cursed” PMC.
Time of Day
While not directly influencing aggression, the time of day affects visibility and can change the dynamics of engagements. At night, Scavs’ limited vision can be exploited, but flashlights can quickly reveal your position.
Survival Strategies Against Hunting Scavs
Gear Up
Whether you are a PMC or a Scav, proper gear is essential for survival. Even basic armor and a decent weapon can significantly improve your chances in a firefight.
Utilize Cover and Concealment
Tarkov’s maps are filled with cover and concealment. Use these to your advantage to avoid being seen or to break line of sight when engaged.
Listen Carefully
Sound is crucial in Tarkov. Pay attention to the sounds of footsteps, voice lines, and gunfire to anticipate enemy movements.
Manage Your Scav Karma
Prioritize maintaining or improving your Scav karma. Avoid unnecessary Scav killings, use car extracts, and consider completing cooperative extracts when available. This will make your Scav runs significantly safer.
Know the Maps
Familiarize yourself with the maps, including Scav spawn locations, high-loot areas, and extraction points. This will help you anticipate encounters and plan your routes effectively.
Coordinate (If Possible)
If playing with friends, coordinate your movements and communicate effectively. Having teammates to watch your back can significantly increase your survival rate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the penalty for killing a Scav as a Scav?
Killing a fellow Scav as a Scav results in a negative impact on your Scav karma, specifically a -0.1 rep penalty. Repeated offenses will further decrease your karma, leading to increased hostility from AI Scavs.
2. How can I increase my Scav karma?
You can increase your Scav karma by performing actions that benefit the Scav community, such as using car extracts as a PMC (granting +0.01 rep), co-operating with PMCs as a Scav (if available in the given raid), or successfully completing co-operative PMC/Scav extracts.
3. Do Scav bosses and Raiders attack Player Scavs with high karma?
Generally, if you have a Scav karma of 6.0 or higher, Scav bosses and Raiders will be initially neutral towards you. However, proximity and provocation can still trigger their aggression. Killa and Tagilla are exceptions, as they are hostile to everyone.
4. Will AI Scavs shoot me on sight if I’m a PMC?
Yes, when playing as a PMC, the majority of AI Scavs will engage you on sight. They recognize you as an enemy and will attempt to eliminate you.
5. How do I distinguish between AI Scavs and Player Scavs?
Distinguishing between AI and Player Scavs can be challenging. Look for erratic movement patterns, gear consistency, and observe their looting behavior. Player Scavs are more likely to check corners, use meds strategically, and engage in more complex tactics. AI Scavs also shout voice lines before firing, which might allow you to identify them.
6. What happens if I’m “tagged and cursed”?
If you are “tagged and cursed”, AI Scavs will actively hunt you down, knowing your approximate location within a 150-meter radius. This makes survival extremely difficult, and you will need to play cautiously and strategically to avoid being overwhelmed.
7. Do flashlights affect Scavs’ vision at night?
Yes, while Scavs have limited vision at night, using a flashlight will make you immediately visible to them. It’s generally better to avoid using flashlights unless absolutely necessary.
8. Can I find keys as a Scav?
Yes, you can find keys as a Scav. Some keys spawn on dead Scavs in specific locations or as random loot in containers.
9. How long do I have to wait to use my Scav again?
The Scav cooldown timer varies depending on your Scav karma. Higher karma reduces the cooldown time, allowing you to use your Scav more frequently.
10. What are car extracts and how do they affect Scav karma?
Car extracts are locations on certain maps where PMCs can pay to extract early from the raid. Successfully using a car extract grants a small boost to your Scav karma (+0.01), incentivizing their usage.
11. Do flares work for Scavs?
Firing a flare into the sky can make Scavs, as well as Scav and Rogue Bosses in the area friendly until you shoot them.
12. What is the max HP of a Scav?
Scavs have three variations of HP at random, with 440
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13. Can you do tasks as a Scav?
Tasks that have a condition to bring an item marked ‘Found in raid’ can also be completed as a secondary character (Scav).
14. Do Scavs have aimbot?
Scavs are meant to be a threat, not free loot and an alarm system to let other players know where you are. And well they are literally bots, so of course they have bot aim. Its just rng chance for them to hit you or not, and which part of you they hit.
15. Do Scavs run in tarkov?
There’s an alternative, though – players can run as a ‘scav’, a randomly-generated character with low-level weapons and equipment, but everything that the scav character loots while under the control of the player counts towards their overall riches.
Understanding the nuances of Scav behavior and implementing effective survival strategies are essential for navigating the treacherous world of Escape From Tarkov. Good luck, and stay frosty.
For more in-depth research on gaming communities and dynamics, consider exploring resources at Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.