The patch notes for Escape From Tarkov update 0.15.2 have been released and they reveal a lot of major changes for the game, including the addition of map to map travel to the core game mode.
The patch, which is currently being deployed and should be playable around 1 PM BST / 8 AM EDT is the first major update since the last wipe, and brings with it some big improvements.
For anyone who has not completed the Marathon mode in game event, the bad news is that the event is over, and some rewards are now gone. However, the good news is that the core feature of the mode, map to map travel, has now been added to the normal matchmaking mode, and a lot of the challenges and quests from the event have been transferred over to the main game. This means you can still attempt the marathon challenge if going from one map to another from the top to the bottom of Tarkov without dying.
The patch notes also bring a new Mortar Strike event, which shows off the teased mortar strikes in action. The event takes place on Customs, Woods, Shoreline, and Reserve, where mortar shells will randomly start raining down on you, making Tarkov even harder.
There’s also a new quest line for this mortar event that will give out rewards such as a special achievement and in game equipment that will help you predict mortar fire and stay alive during it. The good news is that bosses will also react to mortar fire, so you aren’t the only one running for cover.
The patch also brings a ton of performance improvements and quality of life changes, as well as a lot of balance changes to weapons and items. The full patch notes have a complete rundown, but the most impactful are likely to be improvements to the AI, which should make PvE players happy.
While this patch is fairly big and significant, it’s not necessarily the biggest patch that Tarkov will get in the coming weeks. According to the recently released roadmap, the Unity 2022 engine upgrade, which is currently being tested, is scheduled to release shortly and will likely be the next major patch that we get.
We know very little about exactly what it will change, but according to Nikita when he spoke at TwichCon San Diego, the goal of the current build is to make sure Tarkov feels the same on this new engine. Once that is sorted, they can start implementing new features the engine allows.
