Had my first foray back into EFT this week, for quite some time. I fancied a session and as there's just been a wipe, my character was back to level 1 with not much in the way of equipment. As an early backer I do get some high end weapons and gear but I never use these except for fun in practice sessions versus the AI only.
I'm not happy enough with my knowledge of some of the newer maps so I jumped into Customs with an AK47u and a few meds. I also happen to have a mission to complete on that map. Kill 5 Scavs and retrieve 3 MP133 shotguns.
Checking my watch I have 40 minutes in which to find nice gear and extract.
I've spawned in a factory in the far west side of the map. The factory has some areas I can search for loot, so I crouch my way round making as little noise as possible. While I do find some random stuff I quickly realise I forgot to bring a backpack with me. Its not the end of the world, there are backpacks to be had if you know how.
Meantime I hear heavy gunfire outside the factory. Sounds like M4 versus SVD. Humans then and not Scavs. Unless it's a human versus the Scav boss and his henchmen.
I then hear some noise at the end entrance to the factory. Human player with an SVD. I'm trying to decide what to do, his gun is better and he probably has a scope, but he runs out again and I hear more gunfire. I wait a minute, then hear more gunplay, but further away now. Time to move.
I use the same exit as the chap I saw and head outside, intending to head east towards better loot areas and the extracts.
I don't go far when I see a player or Scav in the grassy area through the fence. I pop off a few shots, it's about 250 metres and the AK maybe hits but the guy runs and hides.
I move on, reload. Carry on down the road and find another Scav, he hits the deck to shoot at me but I get him first. I go to loot him, he has a backpack, nice. Take his AKM too and ammo but I get shot at while I'm looting. Don't know where the shots are coming from so I make a break for some cover behind a small truck but take hits to the left leg, arm and chest. I had no armour so lucky not to be dead.
I use some meds to stop the bleeding and then run for a small building, the gas station shop. I enter the back entrance and hide in the stock area while I finish healing and take the time to reload my mags, which is slow.
I hear some shuffling in the shop area and ready my AK. A Scav, and by his movements, a human one, tries to rush me...but at short range the AK takes out his thorax and he is dispatched. I go to loot him but then I hear some noise outside the shop. Another Scav comes in shooting and appears to have level 3 body armour so I aim for the face, and it pays off.
Up until this point I've been mostly spending my time in this session shitting myself. A lot of sound whoring in this game, so the volume is ramped up. It's mental. I'm elated now, pleased with myself and feeling the feeling only Tarkov brings.
Also, one of the chaps i killed was carrying the Marked Room key. Which is like the key to the candy shop in Tarkov. Luckiest find I have ever had. So fucking happy, but more stress😅
And now, I check the time, it's red, 9 minutes left to find an extract. There are two extracts not too far but they have question marks and might not be available, the guaranteed extracts are in the far east of the map. I judge I have enough time to try them all. I also hope there's not many other players still in the map as I will be taking chances and running.
I try the two closest extracts but they're no longer available. Running out of time, 3 minutes left I sprint across the bridge over the river towards the trailer park. Crouch walking now in case there's anyone camping it but no, nobody about and I extract with some excellent loot and rank up to level 2.
Such a great game.