Escape from Tarkov 0.16.2.0 Complete Patch Notes

Battlestate Games has dropped a major mid-wipe patch involving a lot of optimization, technical fixes, and big changes to the PvE mode. Here’s everything you need to know about Escape from Tarkov’s 0.16.2.0 patch.

Complete 0.16.2.0 Patch Notes in Escape from Tarkov

While the game’s current state has been struggling heavily with performance, they have the following optimization fixes for patch 0.16.2.0:

• Optimized the performance in Customs.
• Optimized the in-raid memory consumption on all locations.
• Optimized the shadow quality settings for better performance on low-end PCs.

RAM or memory usage has been one of Escape from Tarkov’s biggest problems for almost a decade. The optimization changes should hopefully help players gain more FPS and better performance regardless of which map they are playing.

Streets of Tarkov will still be the hardest map to run in terms of performance, so if you can run that map smoothly on your PC, the other maps should perform better.

Gameplay changes:

• All Bosses now have a 30% spawn chance.
• Increased the spawn chance for Cultists in PvE and PvP modes.
• Reduced the spawn chance for Partisan in PvE mode.
• Adjusted the spawn time for Player Scavs: they now spawn no earlier than 17 minutes after the start of the raid on most of the locations, excluding Factory, Reserve, and low-level Ground Zero.
• Increased the chance of spawning with better Scav equipment if the player has a high standing with Fence.
• Increased the current and maximum durability of all AI PMC weapons.
• All Sniper Scavs and regular Scavs of any difficulty now have 30 head HP.
• AI PMCs, Raiders, and Rogues still have 35 head HP.
• Increased the chance for AI PMCs to perceive an AI Scav as hostile to 80%. Other chances of faction relationships remain the same in all locations.
• Bots now turn their head towards the presumed target to obtain better visuals.
• The detection speed for Hard difficulty bots is now equal to that of Normal difficulty bots.
• Adjusted the detection speed settings for AI PMCs. Now, they detect enemies 20% faster than regular bots.
• AI PMCs are now also switching to single fire at long ranges. If possible, they will switch to full auto at close ranges.
• Regular bots no longer take cover in vegetation.
• Bots can no longer see through vegetation unless an enemy is close.
• Bot vision is reduced if they are inside the vegetation.

Most changes improve the AI factions in the game, including AI PMCs in PvE mode. All AIs get a slight nerf, but AI PMCs get a 20% buff in detecting enemies, making PvE slightly harder when encountering other PMCs.

Since we are technically in the mid-wipe season, bosses and Cultists have increased spawn chances, making raids more exciting and helping other players finish their Huntsman Path quests.

The Two Biggest Changes in Escape from Tarkov’s Patch 0.16.2.0

The two biggest changes are the Player Scav spawn time changes and their gear buff. This is a drastic change to Escape from Tarkov’s overall gameplay, and it could be in its “experimental” stage to see how it goes before it is permanently kept for the next wipe.

They conducted some surveys previously, and it seems like players will be getting the results of their feedback.

“Player Scavs can no longer spawn before 17 minutes into a raid, excluding Factory, Reserve, and Ground-Zero.”

PMCs should feel safer playing since they wouldn’t have to deal with incoming Player Scavs joining the raid early. One of the main problems in running into a tight situation is that even if you wiggle your way out of a mess or win a tough, drawn-out fight, Player Scavs usually swoop in to ruin the fun.

PMCs shouldn’t have a massive disadvantage like this since they risk their hard-earned gear to the raid. Since the Player Scav spawn timings are pretty “fixed” now, players can play around the timer and try to finish what they can before the Player Scavs arrive.

From a different perspective, this can be seen as a nerf for those who love to play as a Player Scav and enjoy fighting other PMCs with random but worse gear or loadouts. It is nice that BSG already thought about this and decided to “buff” Player Scav loadouts depending on your Fence reputation. Regardless, “Scaving” should be more profitable because of the change, even if you spawn way later in the raid.