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What Happens If I Kill a Scav as a Scav?

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The immediate consequence of killing another Scav while playing as a Scav (Player Scav or “PScav”) in Escape from Tarkov is a significant drop in your Scav Karma, also known as Fence Reputation. This reputation affects various aspects of your Scav gameplay, primarily impacting your future Scav runs and the rewards you receive from Fence, the Scav trader. Essentially, you become less trusted by the Scav community, making your Scav life harder. Let’s delve into the specifics.

The Immediate Fallout: Scav Karma and Aggression

The most immediate and obvious effect is the drop in your Fence Reputation. The magnitude of the loss depends on various factors, including whether the Scav you killed was also hostile or had attacked you first. Killing a completely innocent Scav will result in a larger reputation penalty than killing a Scav who had already engaged in hostile actions towards you or other Scavs. This penalty can be devastating if you have invested time into building up a positive reputation with Fence.

Beyond the reputation hit, other Scavs in the immediate vicinity will likely become hostile. This means they will actively engage you, effectively making you a target. No longer will you be able to waltz through the map relying on the (usually) unspoken truce between Scavs. Instead, you will be fighting for your life against the very faction you are supposed to be allied with. This hostility can spread, as Scavs further away may also become aware of your actions and turn against you.

Long-Term Consequences: Fence and Scav Runs

A low Fence Reputation has several detrimental effects on your gameplay:

Reduced Scav Loadout Quality: When your Fence Reputation is low, the gear you spawn with on your Scav runs will be significantly worse. Expect to see more dilapidated weapons, less ammunition, and poorer-quality armor (if any at all). This can make survival much more difficult, especially on maps with high player activity.
Increased Scav Run Cooldown: The time you have to wait between Scav runs will increase. This means you’ll be able to scavenge less frequently, hindering your ability to earn quick Roubles and acquire gear.
Worse Extracts: Some Scav extracts require a certain level of Fence reputation to use. Lower reputation means less extract options, forcing you to take riskier routes to escape.
Fence’s Offerings: Fence’s shop will offer significantly worse deals. The items he sells will be of lower quality and the prices will be less favorable.
Guard Railing: The Scav “guard rail” will come into effect. The lower your reputation, the lower the level you can reach before encountering a negative reputation block, preventing you from getting lower.

Conversely, maintaining a high Fence Reputation provides numerous benefits:

Better Scav Loadouts: You’ll spawn with better gear, increasing your chances of survival and profit.
Shorter Scav Run Cooldown: You can scavenge more frequently, maximizing your Roubles per hour.
More Extracts: Access to more Scav-only extracts, increasing your chances of a successful run.
Better Deals with Fence: Access to better items at lower prices, increasing your profitability.
Scav Case Profitability: Increased chance of receiving rare and valuable items from your Scav case.

Justification: When is it Acceptable?

There are a few situations where killing a Scav as a Scav might be considered acceptable, or at least understandable, although the reputation penalty will still apply:

Self-Defense: If a Scav attacks you first, you are justified in defending yourself. While killing them will still incur a reputation penalty, it will be smaller than killing an innocent Scav.
Defense of Others: If you witness a Scav attacking another Scav, you can intervene to protect the victim. This is generally seen as a more acceptable reason for Scav-on-Scav violence, but the reputation loss remains.
Confirmed Traitor: If a Scav is actively and repeatedly killing other Scavs, they can be considered a traitor. Eliminating them may be seen as doing the community a service, though still penalized.
Accidental Fire: It happens. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you might accidentally shoot a Scav. While unfortunate, it’s a mistake that can happen to anyone.

It is important to note that intent is difficult to prove. Other players may not understand the circumstances and may still react negatively to your actions. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the potential consequences before engaging in Scav-on-Scav combat.

Recovery: How to Repair Your Reputation

If you have accidentally or intentionally damaged your Fence Reputation, there are ways to repair it:

Car Extracts: Successfully using a car extract as a PMC will grant you a boost to your Fence reputation.
Helping Scavs: Completing certain tasks for Fence that involve assisting Scavs will reward you with reputation points.
Killing PMCs as a Scav: Killing PMCs while playing as a Scav is a surefire way to improve your Fence reputation, as it aligns with the Scav’s inherent conflict against the opposing faction.
Cooperating on Co-op Extracts: Successfully using a PMC/Scav co-op extract will grant you a reputation boost.

It is essential to be patient and consistent in your efforts to regain lost reputation. It can take time and effort to undo the damage caused by killing Scavs as a Scav.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much Fence Reputation do I lose for killing a Scav?

The amount of reputation lost varies, but expect a significant drop for an unprovoked attack. It can range from -0.01 to -0.1 or more depending on the circumstances. The more positive your rep, the more you lose.

2. Does killing a Scav boss affect my Fence Reputation?

Yes, killing a Scav boss (like Reshala or Glukhar) will result in a significant decrease in your Fence Reputation. They are considered Scavs, and killing them is seen as a betrayal.

3. If a Scav damages me but doesn’t kill me, can I kill them without a penalty?

Yes, if a Scav shoots at you and hits you, you are generally justified in retaliating, and the reputation penalty will be reduced compared to killing an innocent Scav. Make sure it’s clear that the damage came from them, though.

4. Does killing a Rogue as a Scav affect my Fence Reputation?

No, Rogues are considered to be USEC PMCs that have gone rogue and will not affect your Scav Karma.

5. Can other players report me for killing a Scav?

There is no direct reporting system for killing Scavs. However, if you develop a reputation as a Scav killer, other players may actively hunt you down and retaliate.

6. Does dying as a Scav with low Fence Reputation affect my PMC?

No, your Scav’s Fence Reputation is separate from your PMC’s reputation. The two are not linked.

7. How can I tell if a Scav is a Player Scav or a regular AI Scav?

There is no definitive way to tell before engaging. Pay attention to their behavior, movement, and gear. Player Scavs often act more strategically and may have better gear than AI Scavs.

8. Does Fence ever forgive you completely for killing Scavs?

Yes, Fence can forgive you, but it takes time and effort to rebuild your reputation. Consistently performing actions that increase your reputation, such as using car extracts and killing PMCs, will eventually restore your standing with him.

9. Is there a minimum Fence Reputation I need to use certain extracts?

Yes, some extracts require a positive Fence Reputation to use. The exact thresholds vary, so it’s important to maintain a decent reputation to maximize your extraction options.

10. What is the easiest way to gain Fence Reputation quickly?

Using car extracts as a PMC is one of the fastest ways to gain Fence Reputation. Additionally, focusing on killing PMCs as a Scav and completing tasks for Fence that reward reputation points are also effective.

11. Does my Fence Reputation affect my PMC’s ability to buy items from him?

No, your Fence Reputation only affects your Scav runs and the deals you get when trading with him.

12. If I accidentally shoot a Scav, can I apologize or explain?

There is no in-game system for apologizing or explaining your actions. Communication is limited, so your best bet is to avoid friendly fire in the first place.

13. Does playing with friends affect my Scav Karma?

No, playing with friends does not directly affect your Scav Karma. However, be cautious about accidentally shooting your friends, as that will still result in a penalty.

14. If I kill a Scav who is looting a dead PMC, does that affect my Fence Reputation?

Yes, killing any Scav, regardless of what they are doing (even if they are looting a PMC) will negatively impact your reputation.

15. Can I see my Fence Reputation in-game?

Yes, you can view your Fence Reputation in your character’s profile within the game menu. It will show you the exact numerical value and your standing with Fence.