Escape From Tarkov’s long-awaited 1.2.0.0 update has arrived, and it is making the extraction shooter a little friendlier to people who have never played it before. The biggest change is the “EXFIL Brothers” program, a system that pays veteran players to bring newbies up to speed.
Here is how it works.
EXFIL Brothers Bribes Veterans
Players with a level 30 character are called “operators.” Players with an account no more than seven days old are called candidates. When an operator raids with a candidate, both players get a 5% XP bonus.
As the candidate hits level 10, 20, and 30, both players get “in-game roubles, bitcoins, and various cases,” according to the news release. The operator also gets extra rewards based on the candidate’s game edition, including TarCoin, posters, the operator upper, and the basic training hideout customization.
In other words, the game is paying both sides to play together.
Prestige Finally Arrives
PvE mode now has a prestige system with six levels. Everything earned through PvE prestige is permanent, so it will not be lost after a wipe.
Rewards include TarCoin, along with unique versions of the NKVD Finka knife, Akula dagger, and Gamma secure container. That means players who climb the prestige ladder will unlock exclusive gear that carries over between seasons.
Bot Behavior Gets Overhauled
PMC bots are getting a complete rework. They are now distributed across the map more logically, with a greater concentration in quest areas. They engage in firefights with each other less often and prefer to attack scavs instead.
Bot gear and weapon loadouts now vary depending on their level and faction. New PMC bot spawns have also been added to the Labyrinth location.
The POLYGON Code
If you use code POLYGON before it expires on Monday, Oct. 19, you will receive the following:
- U.S. Ordnance M60E6 7.62×51 Light Machine Gun
- M60 7.62×51 Capco 100-round Assault Box
- 7.62x51mm M993 (200)
- Peltor ComTac II Headset (OD Green)
- MSA Gallet TC 800 High Cut Combat Helmet (Black)
- Avon M53A1 Gas Mask
- Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack (Black)
- Spiritus Systems LV-119 Plate Carrier (Black Division V1)
To redeem the code, start up the Escape From Tarkov launcher, click on the dropdown in the top-right corner beneath your username, select the “activate code” option, and type in the code.
What This Means for New Players
The EXFIL Brothers program is a clever way to lower the barrier to entry. New players get a partner who knows the map, the enemy spawn points, and the best loot locations. The XP bonus and cash rewards give operators a reason to invest their time.
The prestige system is a bigger deal for regular PvE players. Permanent rewards mean the grind has a payoff that lasts beyond a season reset.
A Delightfully Cynical Design Choice
The EXFIL Brothers program is a delightfully cynical design choice. It offers cash to veterans who take new players under their wing. The candidate gets help, the operator gets loot, and the game gets two more people playing together.
It is a smart move for a game that has always struggled with its steep learning curve. Both sides get something out of it.
The update is live now, and the POLYGON code expires Monday. For anyone just starting out, finding an operator willing to bring you along is suddenly a lot more appealing.
Source material: “Escape From Tarkov’s New PvE Update Officially Makes the Game Easier for Newbies,” Polygon.
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