The Tarkov Handbook | Armor (2024)

About Armor

Armor Class

Armor class is the most important aspect of any protective armor in EFT. Armor class represents how effective the armor is at stopping incoming rounds with varying levels of ballistic effectiveness. Armor classes range from 1-6. The higher the class, the better the armor.

Armor Durability

When it comes to armor durability, it's important to remember how the displayed fraction, in the bottom right of the armor, actually works. The number on the left side is your armor's current durability. The number on the right is the armor's max repairable durability. When determining how effective your armor is at stopping a round, you must compare the armor's current durability on the left with the armor's maximum durability. The armor's maximum durability can only be found by purchasing a new armor piece from a vendor- excluding Fence.

Armor Integrity

Divide your armor's current durability by the armor's maximum durability to get your armor's integrity. For example, if you have an armor piece that reads 30/45, but the armor's maximum durability is 50, you actually possess armor that is 30/50; therefore that armor's integrity is at 60%.

Armor Destructability

Armor destructibility is directly related to an armor pieces material- and each material has it's own destructibility percent.

Aramid - 25%
Polyethylene - 45%
Combined Materials - 50%
Titanium - 55%
Aluminum - 60%
Armored Steel - 70%
Ceramic - 80%
Glass - 80%

Repair Rate

Armor repair is directly related to an armor pieces material- and each material has it's own repair rate.

Aramid - Good
Polyethylene - Very Good
Combined Materials - Average
Titanium - Good
Aluminum - Good
Armored Steel - Very Good
Ceramic - Bad
Glass - Bad

Armor FAQ:

  • I don't know what I'm doing. What armor should I wear?
    When selecting what armor you should wear in raid, It's important to know what you have available. Make sure you check Ragman's available armor pieces and inspect all of them and that you understand the section above. The general rule is not to go into raid without armor below Class 4; however, if you don't have Class 4 armor, that doesn't mean you shouldn't wear any. If you don't have Class 4 armor available, literally anything will do. At this point the armor is protecting you against AI, not players.
  • I have Class 4 armor and above. What should I wear?
    If you have armor above Class 4, and don't know what to wear, try and match your armor piece to the quality of gear you're wearing. Are you running an expensive gun and mobility isn't a concern? Run something with class 5 - 6 armor. Are you running a kit where you want to be mobile, flank, and take fights head on? Find something high class and low weight. Are you anticipating long range engagements and don't want to run expensive armor? Run a Trooper armor or upper tier Class 4 armor. It's hard to plan for ever scenario, but generally anything Class 4 and above will suffice.
  • How is a 50/50 Class 3 armor, better than a 70/70 Class 3 Armor?
    When comparing armor, referencing just the durability isn't enough. The armor's material also plays a factor in how the armor performs, and how damage is applied. I've done the calculations for you and listed the armor from best to worst, from left to right.

Ballistic Plate System

Ballistic Plates

The 14.0 update introduces a revamped armor system featuring 37 ballistic plates, offering enhanced protection to various sections of the body.Ballistic plates in Escape From Tarkov are pivotal for protection, but they come with nuances. When added to compatible armor, they bring debuffs affecting movement, turn speed, or ergonomics. Compatibility varies across armor types and brands, although some universal plates can be used across different body armors and tactical rigs.Ballistic plates are available in a front, back, side, and universal configuration. This allows the player to swap out compatible plates when outside of combat in or the player stash to best prepare for the upcoming fight or raid.

These plates are categorized as follows:

Chest Plates:
Specifically designed to protect the chest area from incoming fire.

RearChestPlates:
Tailored for defense against shots targeting the back area.

UniversalChestPlates:
Versatile plates that can be used for both the chest and rear sections, providing flexibility in armor customization.

Side Plates:
Strategically placed plates to safeguard the sides of the body.

Chest Plate Types

Coming Soon...

Note: Some ballistic plates cannot be removed as they are integrated into the armor piece.
Note:Certain level plates can only be used with armor that is capable of carrying that class of plates.
Note:Certain plates are only compatible with certain armor types or armor systems.

Side Plates

Coming Soon...

How To Modify Armor

In Escape From Tarkov, modifying ballistic plates can be done in two main ways. During a raid, the player needs to drop the armor or armored tactical rig from their inventory onto the ground. Once on the ground, aiming your weapon at the armor piece brings up a context menu, allowing the player to select the modification option. This opens a menu displaying various armor plates, some integrated and unchangeable, but the primary plate systems can be swapped out for compatible plates in the players inventory.

In the player stash, simply right-clicking the armor and choosing "Inspect" will display a similar menu of armor plates. Again, some components are fixed, but the primary plate systems can be adjusted by swapping in compatible ballistic plates. Editing these plates is also possible in a 3D space via the modification option in the context menu.

The durability of armor in Escape From Tarkov is now calculated by combining the durability of its individual internal plates. These plates, each composed of their distinct material, collectively determine the overall resilience of the armor. This enhancement signifies a shift toward a more intricate and realistic portrayal of armor mechanics within the game. By considering the specific material properties of each plate, such as their protective qualities and susceptibility to damage, players gain a deeper understanding of how their gear withstands impacts and deteriorates over time.

Below are the materials and their destructibility:
Aramid - 25%
Polyethylene - 45%
Combined Materials - 50%
Titanium - 55%
Aluminum - 60%
Armored Steel - 70%
Ceramic - 80%
Glass - 80%

How it Works in Combat

The durability of armor in Escape From Tarkov is now calculated by combining the durability of its individual internal plates. These plates, each composed of their distinct material, collectively determine the overall resilience of the armor. This enhancement signifies a shift toward a more intricate and realistic portrayal of armor mechanics within the game. By considering the specific material properties of each plate, such as their protective qualities and susceptibility to damage, players gain a deeper understanding of how their gear withstands impacts and deteriorates over time.Each material has its own properties and changes how incoming rounds impact the durability of the ballistic plate and the chance of an incoming round penetrating the ballistic plate.

With the recent segmentation of armor akin to the player health system, the strategic landscape within the game has dramatically evolved. This overhaul demands a heightened level of attention from players, necessitating the meticulous management of their armor plates and a vigilant tracking of the positioning of ballistic plates across their gear.

The shift in dynamics means that facing fire, whether it's from SCAVs or other players, now poses a significantly escalated risk. No longer is the armor a mere shield; it's a nuanced defense system where the integrity of specific ballistic plates directly shields distinct areas of the body.

Picture this: You engage in a tense skirmish with another player. Your opponent's bullets relentlessly strike your frontal chest plate, causing significant damage. In the past, a damaged plate might have been a mere inconvenience. But now, with this segmented system, the repercussions are more pronounced. The compromised front-facing chest plate no longer offers the same robust protection to your chest, leaving you more vulnerable in subsequent encounters.

This profound shift forces players to adopt a more tactical and adaptive approach to combat scenarios. It's no longer enough to rely solely on the general durability of the overall armor. Instead, a keen awareness of plate positioning and their individual statuses becomes paramount. Should a specific plate sustain damage, swift decisions about repositioning or replacing it during a lull in the battle become critical to ensure ongoing protection of vulnerable body areas.

The implications ripple throughout gameplay strategies. Engagements demand a heightened level of caution and foresight. Players must now factor in the durability and positioning of their armor plates when maneuvering through hostile territories, engaging in firefights, or planning their escapes. Each encounter becomes a careful dance of risk assessment and strategic decision-making, amplifying the depth and intensity of every in-game confrontation.

The math below will show how each individual ballistic plate will perform when and incoming round strikes it.

Armor Calculations

Nerd sh*t

Step 1

The Tarkov Handbook | Armor (2)

Effective Durability

Effective durability is calculated by dividing the armors durability by the material destructibility. The higher the effective durability within an armor class, the better the armor.

Armor Durability = AP
Destructibility = De

Step 2

The Tarkov Handbook | Armor (3)

The Armor Constant

The armor constant is heavily based off of the armors class and takes into account the armors current integrity. To calculate the armors constant, insert the values for integrity, and the armors class. Then solve. To find your armors integrity, divide the armors current durability by its purchased maximum durability.

Integrity = d
Armor Class = c

Step 3

The Tarkov Handbook | Armor (4)

Penetration Chance

Ammo penetration chance is simply the chance a fired round has to penetrate armor. To calculate the penetration chance, you must first find the armors constant and subtract the rounds penetration chance from it. Then solve the rest of the equation.

Armor Constant = a
Penetration Chance = p

Top Pages
  • Ammo
  • Armor
  • Settings Guide
  • Maps
About

The Tarkov Handbook is designed to be an all in one Tarkov guide containing updates, resources, and more- all for your second monitor.

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The Tarkov Handbook | Armor (2024)

FAQs

Is Tarkov hard for beginners? ›

Escape from Tarkov is not a beginner-friendly game, it is not a friendly game at all, in fact. After watching some videos and reading a few articles, you might expect a rough start, but you most likely don't realize HOW rough.

Where are the books in Tarkov? ›

The first book is located in a store called "МУЗЕЙ ИСТОРИИ" ("Museum of History") on the second floor of the shopping mall on Interchange. It can be found in a pile of books on the floor. The second book is located in a book store on the first floor of the shopping mall on Interchange.

What is the hardest Tarkov map? ›

  1. 1 The Lab. The Lab is pound for pound, the toughest map in Escape From Tarkov.
  2. 2 Lighthouse. Lighthouse is one of the newest maps in Tarkov, introduced at the end of 2021. ...
  3. 3 Reserve. ...
  4. 4 Interchange. ...
  5. 5 Shoreline. ...
  6. 6 Streets of Tarkov. ...
  7. 7 Woods. ...
  8. 8 Customs. ...
Jan 13, 2023

Why is EFT so difficult? ›

As Escape From Tarkov is so mechanically complex, there's a need to almost use the entire keyboard to simply play the game at the most fundamental level. From checking your weapon to leaning and from healing hotkeys to stance adjustments, Escape From Tarkov is a game that'll push your keyboard skills to their limit.

How long is an hour in Tarkov? ›

Time, in EFT, passes 7x faster than real time. So, for every minute that passes in real life, 7 minutes will have elapsed within the game world.

Is it fun to play Tarkov alone? ›

For one, you are not limited by the availability of others, and you can enjoy the game as much as you want. Also, being independent will make you more self-reliant and overall a better player. Thirdly, you can handle coordinating with others or receiving criticism from your teammates.

Can you be alone in Tarkov? ›

Yes, you can play PVE by yourself and would be playing in raids with only AI. Scavs, PMCs, bosses, etc. will all be AI controlled with a few flaws... The coop feature is optional, so you can team up with a friend but since its not mandatory to have any friends its perfectly fine to enjoy PVE solo raids.

What city is Tarkov based on? ›

Escape from Tarkov is set in the fictional city of Tarkov, the capital of the Norvinsk Special Economic Zone in northwestern Russia between the years 2015 and 2026.

Is Tarkov set in Russia? ›

Story. The game is set in Tarkov, a fictional Russian city. The factions BEAR and USEC, known from Contract Wars, fight against each other, together with a third faction.

Can you shoot Claymores in Tarkov? ›

Claymores are anti-personnel mines. The mines have an activation range of 5-10m, are unaffected by gunfire and explosives and instantly kill players upon detonation, unless they are behind cover.

What is the most powerful round in Tarkov? ›

338 Lapua Magnum. The biggest, baddest bullets in Tarkov, . 338 Lapua Magnum rounds do way more than enough damage to one-shot PMCs to the thorax. AP rounds also have way more than enough penetration to obliterate armor.

What was the longest Tarkov wipe? ›

As of today, the current wipe in Escape From Tarkov is the longest ever, clocking in at a total of 226 days. However, the development team have acknowledged this fact and said they are working 24/7 on the new wipe and patch to make sure it releases soon.

What is the highest level you can get in Tarkov? ›

Leveling. A skills maximum level is 51 (Elite level). However, a skill can temporarily surpass this limit with status effects from certain Stimulants and Provisions.

Is Escape from Tarkov intense? ›

These firefights are still some of the best in video games: incoming fire cracks and whines, bullets tear through cover, bursts of gunfire feel lethal and unpleasant, and heavy armor is your only savior until it very suddenly isn't.

How hard is it to run Escape from Tarkov? ›

Escape from Tarkov (EFT) is an incredibly demanding first-person shooter with hardcore survival elements. The game is notorious for requiring powerful hardware, especially for smooth multiplayer online raids.

Is Escape from Tarkov easy to play? ›

EFT is hard to learn but if you follow specific steps it makes life a lot easier. 1. Look up maps of the game either online or use the in-game maps. Play Offline/Scav and keep the map either on your second monitor, on your phone, or printed off next to you.

Is tarkov a slow game? ›

Tarkov is a slow, hyper-realistic game. If Marathon is catering to that type of gameplay rather than an arcadey shooter with mobility/abilities + a longer TTK, then unfortunately my hype for the game is dead. I would imagine Tarkov players feel the opposite, but still concerning x.com/PaulTassi/stat…

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