Easy Money in Tarkov: Beginner’s Guide to Making Rubles

Understanding the Building Blocks of the Tarkov Economy

The Currency of Tarkov

The harsh reality of Escape from Tarkov is that you’re constantly broke. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a fresh-faced recruit to the deadly world of Tarkov, the grind for rubles, the game’s primary currency, is a constant struggle. One raid you’re flush, kitted out with the best gear, the next you’re staring down the barrel of an empty wallet and a rapidly depleting stash. It’s a cycle of violence, survival, and desperate attempts to claw your way to financial stability. But, fear not, aspiring PMC! Building a robust financial base in Tarkov doesn’t require becoming a hyper-aggressive, high-risk player. It’s entirely possible to establish a steady income stream with a little bit of knowledge and some patience.

This guide is designed to help you, the new or struggling player, navigate the tricky waters of Tarkov’s economy and learn how to consistently earn rubles. We’ll focus on strategies that are relatively safe, simple to execute, and won’t leave you constantly fearing for your precious gear. Think of this as your financial primer, a foundation upon which you can build your Tarkov empire. We’ll provide the tools you need to stop scavenging and start thriving.

Before we dive in, remember this is Easy Money in Tarkov: Part 1. We will explore more advanced and riskier strategies in later installments, but for now, let’s focus on the basics. Our goal is to help you consistently generate income, allowing you to buy better gear, upgrade your hideout, and ultimately, survive longer in the unforgiving world of Tarkov.

To make money, you need to understand the system. Tarkov’s economy isn’t just about shooting and looting; it’s a dynamic marketplace where the value of items fluctuates constantly. Knowing the ins and outs is key to survival and success. Let’s break down the key components:

The currency of choice, the lifeblood of Tarkov, is the ruble (RUB). It’s what you’ll use to buy gear, ammo, and everything else. Understanding how to acquire and manage your rubles is the first step.

However, the currency system expands beyond rubles. While less prevalent early on, you will encounter dollars (USD) and euros (EUR). These currencies have specific uses and are often associated with more advanced traders and certain high-end items. Knowing when to utilize these currencies is vital, but early on, you’ll primarily be dealing with rubles.

(A brief mention of Bitcoin is useful here. Bitcoin is a valuable currency and the best way to make money in the late game. But, it is not accessible to new players because of the requirements for getting it. Additionally, the Flea Market is also out of reach until level 15, but knowing it is the best source of income is also useful.)

The core principle of the Tarkov economy revolves around trading: buying low and selling high. This simple concept is the basis of all profit-making strategies. Identify valuable items, acquire them, and then sell them for more than you paid. Sounds easy, right? It is, but you have to know what to look for.

Traders and the Economy

Traders are your primary avenue for buying and selling items in the early game. Each trader specializes in different goods, from weapons and armor to medical supplies and food. As you level up and improve your reputation with each trader, they’ll offer you better prices and access to more advanced items. The early-game traders include:

• Therapist: Deals primarily with medical supplies, food, and water. Selling valuable medical items here is extremely lucrative.
• Peacekeeper: Deals with foreign currencies and western equipment
• Mechanic: Deals with weapon modifications and gunsmithing
• Skier: Deals with equipment and sometimes tasks.
• Ragman: Primarily deals with clothing, armor, and backpacks.
• Prapor: Deals with weapons, gear, and insurance.
• Fence: Is a fence, deals with any items, including those that are not sellable.

Learning the individual traits of each trader is extremely important.

The Flea Market: (A Long-Term Goal)

Eventually, you will reach level fifteen and unlock the Flea Market. At this point, you’ll be able to buy and sell almost any item to other players. The Flea Market can offer much better prices than traders. However, it’s also a more competitive environment, and prices fluctuate rapidly based on supply and demand.

Although you can’t access it at the start of the game, understanding the Flea Market is important from day one. Keep an eye on the prices of items you find in raid. Even before you can use it, you can start assessing the profitability of items and prepare yourself. Start thinking about what items are most sought after and their approximate value.

Item Value and Market Fluctuations

In Tarkov, the value of an item is not fixed. It’s determined by supply and demand, and it can change rapidly. An item that’s worth a fortune one day might be practically worthless the next. Always research the price of an item before selling it. Check trader prices and, eventually, Flea Market prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Constant vigilance is the name of the game. Items that are rare have a lot of value, and some items sell better to specific traders.

Easy Money Strategies for New Players

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are a few straightforward strategies that can help you make easy money in Tarkov early on:

The Safe Run Strategy

The core principle behind this strategy is simple: minimize risk and prioritize survival. Your goal isn’t to become a high-kill operator; it’s to survive, extract, and steadily accumulate wealth.

Recommended Maps

• Factory: Factory is the perfect training ground for quick raids. It’s small, the action is intense, and you can extract quickly. It’s also a good map for learning the basics of combat, though the high risk can be detrimental to your financial health. The main draw of factory is the quick raids that result in a quick profit.
• Customs: Customs offers a balance between combat and looting. It’s also a good option for learning the map and familiarizing yourself with key locations.

Looting Route Recommendations

Focus on high-value, low-risk areas. This means avoiding heavily contested locations and sticking to areas where you can loot quickly and efficiently. For example, the Dorms on Customs are often a hotspot for PvP, however, you can sneak in and out to make a quick profit.

Equipment

Bring basic gear: a pistol or a cheap shotgun, a backpack, and a rig to hold loot. Don’t bring expensive items. The goal is to extract alive, not to win a gunfight. It can also be beneficial to upgrade your equipment from the Therapist and Prapor, using their items.

Extraction

Learn the extraction points on your chosen maps. Ensure you know the conditions (e.g., requires a key, requires a certain item, etc.) so you don’t waste time.

Emphasis on Survival

The most important thing in the safe run strategy is to survive. Avoid unnecessary fights. If you hear gunshots, consider avoiding the area. Your priority is to get in, loot, and get out alive.

Looting Specific Items

Certain items are consistently valuable and easy to find, making them ideal for making easy money.

• Medical Supplies: Bandages, Salewa first aid kits, and other medical supplies are always in demand, especially to the Therapist. They’re essential for survival, and you can find them in many locations like Medical boxes.
• Weapon Parts: Some weapon parts, like weapon attachments, are in high demand to certain traders and can often be sold for a good profit.
• Keys: Finding keys is always a great way to make money. While some keys have high value, they can be used to go back into a location that can hold high-value items.

The Sell All to Therapist Method (Early Game)

This is your default strategy in the very early game. Simply loot everything you can find and sell it to the Therapist. You can also sell some items to the traders who offer you the best price for them. Once you’ve done this, you will build up your stash space. After your inventory fills up, you should be able to buy another bag and start the cycle again.

Tips for Maximizing Profit

Making money isn’t just about finding loot; it’s about making smart decisions. Here are a few tips to squeeze the most profit out of every raid:

Insurance

Insurance can be your best friend. For a small fee, traders like Prapor will insure your gear. If you die and your gear isn’t looted by another player, you get it back. This is especially useful for early-game gear. Insurance covers you and makes raids profitable, even if they are difficult.

Item Storage

Manage your inventory. You need to quickly learn the location of valuable items, and organize the items in the stash. The more organized you are, the more items you can hold in your stash. It also allows you to take advantage of your stash space.

Stash Organization

Keep your stash organized. Place your items in such a way that you can find them quickly and easily. Sort items by type. For instance, have a section for medical supplies, another for weapon parts, etc. This will save you time and prevent you from accidentally selling something valuable.

Price Check Before Selling

Before selling, always check the price of items. Use a price checking website like Tarkov-Market or look through the traders to see who is paying the best price. Taking five seconds to make sure you’re getting the most value will significantly increase your profits.

Selling Items

Compare the prices for a specific item to different traders. Often, you will find a great variation in the prices of some items. Selling items to a specific trader may result in better profits.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Even with the best strategies, mistakes are inevitable. However, you can avoid some of the most common pitfalls:

Over-Investing in Gear Early On

Don’t buy expensive gear until you have a solid financial base. High-end gear is useless if you can’t afford to replace it. Gear fear is a common reason for players to stop playing.

Ignoring Basic Health Needs

You can not make money when you’re dead. Bring enough medical supplies to stay alive. Prioritize healing and using the medical items.

Getting Greedy

Don’t get overconfident and push into dangerous areas. A few extra rubles aren’t worth the risk of losing everything.

Not Checking the Price of Items Before Selling

Make this a habit. It takes a few seconds and could save you a lot of money.

Misunderstanding the Value of Items

Familiarize yourself with the price of common loot items. Research the value of various items so you know what to pick up, which items to throw away, and what to prioritize.

Conclusion

Building a financial foundation in Tarkov takes time and effort, but it’s achievable. By focusing on safe runs, learning where to find valuable loot, and using the strategies, you can steadily increase your income, even as a beginner. Remember to stay patient and consistent. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks; every raid is a learning experience.

The next step is to explore more advanced strategies, understanding which items sell for the most money and how to use the flea market efficiently. Part 2 will provide you with information on using the Flea Market, optimizing your hideout, and the methods for more aggressive risk-reward options.

Now, get out there, raid, and start building your Tarkov fortune!