What is a Hardcore Wipe in Escape from Tarkov?

BattleState Games has confirmed that there will be another wipe before launch, reworking their previous 2025 roadmap. They also just recently posted the reworked roadmap and added a “Hardcore Wipe” slated for July’s massive update.

This confirms a wipe this July, but what exactly is a Hardcore wipe? The game is already hardcore and punishing as it is, so what will change?

All Hardcore Wipe Details in Escape from Tarkov

Escape from Tarkov has teased all the details of their upcoming hardcore wipe for patch 0.16.8, but they did it gradually. They had three separate teasers highlighting the massive changes coming to the hardcore wipe, and here they are:

Hardcore wipe tease #1:

• Flea Market disabled
• Increased item requirements for Hideout Zones
• Hideout Zones don’t require Found in Raid items
• Limited Hideout ammo crafts
• Reduced the spawn chance of rare loot

Hardcore wipe tease #2:

• Restricted Location Accessibility (most of the locations will only be accessed through transit)
• Secure container restrictions: cannot store ammunition, currency, and certain medications.
• Limited Trader Interactions – reduced range of available medicine, weapons, ammo, and armor.
• Reduced item selling price and increased purchase price.

Hardcore wipe tease #3:

• 100% boss spawn chance on all locations
• Reduced experience for killing enemies and dying.
• Increased experience for surviving.
• Increased AI difficulty.

These changes completely overhaul the Escape from Tarkov experience, unlike any other wipe in history. They are doing this because it would be the shortest wipe in history, as they prepare for the game’s official launch in version 1.0.

The flea market being disabled already changes how a player plays and even who they’ll encounter. As any veteran Escape from Tarkov player already knows, the game is rampant with cheaters, and it is primarily due to RMT or real-money traders selling services and items for real money.

With the flea market being disabled, the prevalence of RMT players will almost be reduced to zero, since some service offers should still be ongoing.

The loot, crafts, restrictions, and price changes make the game a little harder, but since it is harder for everyone else, is it really harder?

The wipe suddenly becomes a lot more exciting for players who gave up on the game or want a more fun and casual experience, even if it is called “hardcore.”