Does Material Matter in Tarkov? A Deep Dive into Armor and Ballistics
Yes, material absolutely matters in Escape from Tarkov (EFT). The material composition of your armor directly impacts its durability, repairability, and its overall effectiveness against different types of ammunition. Understanding the nuances of each material is crucial for making informed decisions about your gear, significantly influencing your survival and success in raids. Choosing the right armor material can be the difference between surviving a barrage of bullets and being sent back to your stash. Let’s delve deeper into why material selection is so vital.
Armor Materials in Tarkov: A Hierarchy of Protection
In EFT, armor isn’t just about the armor class (e.g., Level 4, Level 5). The material it’s made from dictates how it behaves under fire. The game features a variety of materials, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a look at the common armor materials, ranked from most resistant to least, as well as how they affect your armor.
The Top Tier: Aramid and UHMWPE
- Aramid: Known for its high tensile strength and heat resistance, aramid is a popular material in real-world body armor. In Tarkov, Aramid offers a good balance of protection, durability, and repairability, though it’s not the most efficient at repairing and generally considered second best behind UHMWPE.
- Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): This material is often touted as the best armor material in the game. UHMWPE has excellent impact resistance and great repairability, making it a durable and reliable choice. It’s considered to have the best repair efficiency in Tarkov, being three times better than Aramid.
The Middle Ground: Combined Materials, Titanium, Aluminum, and Steel
- Combined Materials: These armors often incorporate multiple materials to balance protection and other properties. The performance varies greatly depending on the specific materials combined, making this category a bit of a wild card.
- Titanium: A lightweight and strong metal, titanium offers good protection against ballistics and is reasonably durable. However, it doesn’t reach the same levels of repair efficiency as UHMWPE.
- Aluminum: While lighter than steel, aluminum offers less protection. This material is primarily used for lower-tier armor and will struggle against high-penetration rounds.
- Steel: Steel is a solid material in real-life, and in Tarkov it is seen as a mid-tier armor material. It is durable and often a good option for new players and those on a budget. Armor made of steel can be repaired well.
The Weakest Link: Ceramic
- Ceramic: While ceramic is capable of stopping high-caliber rounds in real life, it comes with a significant caveat in Tarkov. Ceramic plates lose durability rapidly and cannot be repaired. This makes them a poor choice, even if they may initially seem to provide adequate protection. They tend to crack and lose effectiveness much more quickly than other materials.
Material’s Impact on Gameplay
The choice of armor material has a profound impact on how you approach combat in Tarkov. Aramid and UHMWPE armor provide consistent protection and are more likely to remain functional even after taking multiple hits. This consistency is essential for prolonged engagements. On the other hand, using ceramic armor can lead to sudden and potentially fatal weaknesses after just a few impacts.
The repairability of armor materials is another critical factor. UHMWPE and Steel armor can be repaired more efficiently, which lets you keep your armor in good working order for a longer period of time. This means you can get back into the fight faster and with more confidence. Ceramic’s lack of repairability makes it impractical for extended raids or when facing numerous opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding armor materials and effectiveness in Escape from Tarkov to further enhance your understanding:
1. Why is Ceramic Armor Considered Bad in Tarkov?
Ceramic armor is considered bad because it loses durability extremely quickly and cannot be repaired. While it might offer good initial protection, its effectiveness rapidly degrades in combat, leaving you vulnerable.
2. What is the Best Material for Armor in Tarkov?
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is generally considered the best material for armor in Tarkov due to its high durability, great impact resistance and excellent repairability. It allows players to maintain the effectiveness of their armor longer.
3. What is the Most Repairable Armor Material in Tarkov?
UHMWPE/Armor steel materials have the best repairing efficiency, being three times better than aramid, which is the second best.
4. Is Aramid a Good Armor Material in Tarkov?
Yes, Aramid is a good armor material, offering a solid balance between protection, durability, and repairability. However, it’s generally less efficient than UHMWPE for repairing.
5. Does Armor Durability Matter in Tarkov?
Yes, armor durability is very important. As armor takes damage, its effectiveness decreases, potentially allowing bullets to penetrate more easily. It is important to repair and replace damaged armor as soon as possible.
6. How Does Material Affect Repair Efficiency in Tarkov?
The material of your armor directly affects how efficiently it can be repaired. UHMWPE has the best repair efficiency, while ceramic cannot be repaired at all. This means that armor made from materials such as steel and UHMWPE can be repaired and maintained more easily.
7. What is the Strongest Level of Armor in Tarkov?
There isn’t just one “strongest level” of armor. Level 6 armor is the highest armor rating, but material also plays a crucial role. A level 6 armor made of a weaker material might not perform as well as a level 5 made of UHMWPE.
8. What is the Best Tier 5 Armor in Tarkov?
The Killa Armor is often regarded as the best overall Level 5 armor. However, options like the FORT armors, AACPC, TACTEC, and Crye Precision Goons rigs are also strong contenders, offering tradeoffs between stomach protection and storage.
9. What is the Toughest Metal for Armor in Real Life?
In real life, Ultra-High Hardness (UHH) steel is one of the best-performing steel alloys for protection against armor-piercing rounds.
10. Does Wearing a Helmet Matter in Tarkov?
Yes, wearing a helmet is important. Helmets offer protection for different parts of your head, potentially saving you from headshots and concussions. Choosing the right helmet based on the head zones it protects is important.
11. What is the Best Ammo to Destroy Armor in Tarkov?
High-penetration ammunition such as .338 Lapua Magnum AP rounds are among the most effective for defeating armor in Tarkov due to their high damage and penetration.
12. How Much Damage do Bullets do to Armor in Tarkov?
Damage to armor is complex. When a bullet penetrates, it causes around a 20% damage reduction, depending on the armor and bullet type. If a bullet fails to penetrate, it can still cause “blunt damage”, transferring a portion of the base damage of the bullet to the body part hit.
13. What is Level 7 Armor?
Level 7 armor, a real-world classification, is designed to protect against multiple shots from military assault rifles, such as the M-16. However, Tarkov does not have level 7 armor, instead using level 6 as its highest rating.
14. What is the Weakest Point of Armor?
In real life and potentially in Tarkov based on the armor system, the weakest points of armor include the armpits, backs of the knees, palms of the hands, and the visor. The neck also is often a weak point not covered by armor.
15. Is Body Armor Legal in Real Life?
Yes, body armor is legal in all 50 states for law-abiding citizens to purchase and wear for personal protection.
Conclusion
In Escape from Tarkov, material matters just as much as armor level and class. Choosing the right material for your armor is key to surviving engagements and prolonging the usability of your gear. While a higher armor rating may seem like an easy answer to protection, remember to take into account the material. Prioritize armors with UHMWPE and Aramid for optimal performance and repairability, and always be wary of using Ceramic armor due to its severe disadvantages. Understanding the intricacies of armor materials is a vital component of becoming a successful Tarkov player.