Welcome to Tarkov, where bullets cost more than your dignity and dying is just another line item in your expense report. If you’re reading this, you’re probably broke. Or almost. Or terrified of being broke after your next bad raid. If you’re not in the mood to grind your way back, you can always stock up on EFT rubles from Skycoach.
Or, if you enjoy the long game, keep reading. This guide walks you through a tested, ruble-stacking path for players who want to grind smart, flip smarter, and come out on top—whether or not you also pick up some extra EFT rubles along the way.
1. Best Low-Tier Loot to Grab Early
When you’re starting out, everything matters. Even a half-used roll of toilet paper. Especially a half-used roll of toilet paper.
The Junk That Pays:
Screws, Bolts, Nuts
These are barter gold. Early hideout upgrades need tons of them, and they sell like hot potatoes on the flea. Don’t overlook toolboxes and filing cabinets.
Power Cords, Wires, Capacitors
Hideout fuel is the gatekeeper to crafting profits. Electronics get you there.
CPU Fans & Power Supplies
Heavy? Sure. Worth it? Always.
Crickents and UV Lamps
Tiny, cheap, but used in early quests and upgrades.
Medical Supplies (Salewas, AI-2s, Bandages)
Keep one, sell one. Early quests will demand Salewas, so balance profit with progress.
Food & Drink
Only keep what you need to survive. Sell the rest. Water Filters and Aquamari are exceptions—they’re liquid gold.
Where to Find It:
- Toolboxes: Interchange (IDEA), Reserve (mechanical areas), Customs (tech rooms)
- Filing cabinets: Everywhere. Loot them religiously.
- Sport bags: Surprisingly lucrative. A good mix of meds, food, and rare finds.
Map by Map: Top Loot Spots
- Customs: Dorms, gas station, construction
- Interchange: Tech stores (Techlight, Rasmussen), IDEA, OLI
- Reserve: King building, pawn buildings, bunkers
Mindset Tip:
Don’t just loot randomly. Think like a scavenger with a shopping list.
2. PMC Loadouts Under 100k
You don’t need to run around looking like a walking Bitcoin to survive. In fact, budget PMC kits often punch way above their weight.
Loadout Blueprint (Sub-100k):
Weapon:
- SKS + PS ammo (~25k)
- VPO-136 with PS (~20-30k)
- MP-153 Shotgun (with 6.5mm Express) (~30k)
Armor:
- 6B5-15 or PACA (~20-30k)
- Scav vests or bank robber rigs (~10k)
Helmet:
- Kolpak or SSH-68 (~10-15k)
Backpack:
- MBSS or Scav backpack (loot it off dead bodies or Scavs if needed)
Meds:
- AI-2, Bandage, Splint, Painkillers (under 10k total)
Budget Loadout Variants by Role:
- CQB (Close Quarters): MP-153 + Flashlight + PACA
- Mid-Range: VPO + PS Ammo + SSH-68
- Loot Goblin: Ditch the armor, go light, bring big bags, run fast, extract faster
Tips to Stay Alive:
- Prioritize sound. A budget kit is useless if you can’t hear footsteps.
- Don’t fight every fight. Know when to back off and extract rich.
- Play around loot spawns, not high-traffic PvP areas.
Hidden Win:
Run insurance games. Take gear you don’t mind losing. If no one picks it up? Surprise rubles when it comes back.
3. Flea Market Flipping for Passive Gains
The Flea Market isn’t just for offloading junk. It’s your financial playground. And if you learn to work it, the rubles flow even when you’re offline.
Rule #1: Learn the Meta Items
Every wipe has its darlings. This season? Think:
- Sugar (for moonshine)
- Water Filters
- Military Cables / T-Shanks
- Gunpowder (Kite, Eagle)
- CPU Fans / Graphics Cards
Rule #2: Arbitrage is Your Friend
Buy low from traders, sell high on the Flea:
- Therapist meds (Salewa, painkillers)
- Peacekeeper USD items
- Barter goods from Jaeger (matches, Iskra)
Rule #3: Craft & Profit
Use your hideout to turn trash into treasure:
- Fuel generator running? Craft gunpowder.
- Med station? Craft Salewa, Propital, and sell.
- Lavatory? Make bleach, chlorine, and cash.
Rule #4: Flip with Frequency
Check prices throughout the day. Supply and demand swings hard, especially post-wipe. Watch for:
- Patch notes: New items go meta overnight
- Twitch drops: Flooded markets tank values
- Quest waves: Everyone suddenly needs the same loot
Don’t Ignore Fee Ratios
High-fee items can destroy your margin. Avoid listings with steep commission unless you’re flipping at peak demand.
Use Tools:
- Tarkov-Market.com
- Flea Helper add-ons
- Discord groups for price alerts
4. Tasks Worth Doing Early for Ruble Returns
Some quests feel like chores. Others? Straight cash injections with side benefits.
Early Quests = Snowball:
- Debut (Prapor): Free guns, ammo, and gear. Do this ASAP.
- Shortage (Therapist): Salewas in, reputation out. Flea access unlocks soon after.
- Delivery from the Past: Unlocks better trader gear and ammo.
- The Punisher Series: Worth it for the XP, gear, and Flea cred.
Task Chains With Hidden Payoff:
- Gunsmith (Mechanic): Easy XP, trader unlocks, and item rewards
- Fishing Gear (Peacekeeper): Unlocks USD access early
- Friend from the West: USD tasks lead to M4A1 and AR-15 parts
Bonus Objectives:
- Unlock Jaeger early (via Mechanic task): He sells vital barter gear and ammo
- Security / Medstation upgrades = access to high-value crafts
- Scav Case: Once unlocked, it becomes a low-effort ruble stream
Even if you’re not a quest-chaser, the ruble ROI is undeniable.
Don’t Forget: Loyalty Levels = Discounts
Each trader level reduces gear prices. That discount? It stacks. Over time, it adds up to millions saved.
5. Hideout Hustle: Your Passive Ruble Machine
Once you get the hideout rolling, it’s like printing rubles. Slowly. But steadily. And reliably.
Top Profit Stations:
- Workbench: Craft ammo, especially BT, BS, or M995
- Medstation: Salewa, Propital, SJ6
- Nutrition Unit: Moonshine from sugar
- Booze Generator + Scav Case: Moonshine runs for high-tier gear
What to Upgrade First:
- Generator (power = progress)
- Medstation (craft meds + upgrade other areas)
- Lavatory (early bleach/barter item source)
- Intelligence Center (Faster Scav cooldowns + better Scav Case rewards)
6. Mindset of a Tarkov Millionaire
Let’s be real. You won’t make it to millionaire status if you rage-quit every time you die. Ruble-rich players do a few things differently:
1. They Track ROI
- Did that raid earn more than it cost?
- Which maps pay out best?
- Is my favorite loadout profitable or vanity?
2. They Know When to Walk Away
If you’re rattled, tilted, or playing like a goblin: log off. Cut your losses. Preserve your stash.
3. They Extract With Purpose
Every raid is a mission. Not a stroll. Know what you’re going in for and leave when you’ve got it.
4. They Fail Forward
Died to a Mosin camper? Fine. What can you learn? Next time, check the window. Peek smarter. Spend less. Survive longer.
Final Thoughts: How to Keep Climbing
The Rouble Road isn’t glamorous. It’s not flashy. But it’s reliable. If you keep walking it—one Scav run, one budget kit, one smart flip at a time—you’ll wake up one day and realize: you’re rich.
So go out there. Loot smart. Fight clever. Sell everything you don’t love. And if you ever feel like you’re hitting a ceiling?
Re-read this guide. Then go again.
See you in the flea.
