## What Changed
**Animation System** — Overhauled to reduce PC resource usage
**Audio Engine** — Optimized to improve performance
**Post-Raid Systems** — Reworked architecture to reduce time returning to menu after raid completion
**Off-Raid Screens** — Performance improvements implemented
**Menu FPS Limit** — Increased with new adjustable setting in game settings
**Player Culling System** — Updated on Lighthouse, Shoreline, Woods, and Ground Zero; remaining locations coming in future updates
**Streets of Tarkov Geometry** — Environment objects and geometry optimized for better location performance
**Left-Shoulder Firing Stance** — No longer instantly switches to right shoulder when colliding with obstacles; weapon continues moving briefly before stance change
**K/D Display** — Now counts only PMC kills instead of all player kills
**Ref's Assortment** — Added new character customization options, gear, and weapons from EFT: Arena Season 2
## Balance Changes
**Weapon Barrel System** — Standardized parameters and made choice between short and long barrels more meaningful across multiple weapon platforms
**Affected Weapons:** All AK, AKM, and AK-100 series weapons; Steyr AUG A1 and A3; SIG MCX-SPEAR and MCX .300; CMMG Mk47 Mutant; Rifle Dynamics RD-704; Aklys Defense Velociraptor; all machine guns; all bolt-action and marksman rifles in 7.62x51, 7.62x54R, .338, and .50 BMG
## PvE Improvements
**Task Progression Protection** — Local PvE Zone raids now protect task progress if client unexpect
Several changes to the animation system and audio engine to improve PC resource usage;
Reworked the architecture of post-raid systems to further reduce the time required to exit a raid and return to the menu;
Improvements aimed at optimizing off-raid screens;
Increased the FPS limit in menus and added an option to adjust it in the game settings ;
As part of optimization efforts, an updated player culling system has been implemented on Lighthouse, Shoreline, Woods, and Ground Zero. The system will be introduced to the remaining locations in future updates;
Implemented an iteration of environment object and geometry optimization for Streets of Tarkov to improve location performance;
Introduced a task progression protection system in local PvE Zone raids in case of unexpected client shutdowns. If the game closes unexpectedly, task progress will now revert to the state at the start of the raid;
Updated the left-shoulder firing stance logic. Switching to the right shoulder will no longer happen instantly when colliding with obstacles. Instead, the weapon will continue moving for a short period without changing stance;
Updated the K/D display in character stats. It now only counts PMC kills;
New character customisation options, gear and weapons from Season 2 of EFT: Arena have been added to Ref’s assortment.
Standardize parameters and make them clearer.
Make the choice between short and long barrels more meaningful.
All AK, AKM, and AK-100 series weapons;
Steyr AUG A1;
Steyr AUG A3;
SIG MCX-SPEAR;
SIG MCX .300;
CMMG Mk47 Mutant;
Rifle Dynamics RD-704;
Aklys Defense Velociraptor;
All machine guns;
All bolt-action and marksman rifles chambered in 7.62x51, 7.62x54R, .338, and .50 BMG.
Fixed an issue where dead players and bots could appear to move visually in certain cases;
Fixed an issue where damage would not register after a weapon malfunction if the player had previously used a stationary weapon;
Fixed the cause of error 228 during trader dialogues that could block task progression;
Fixes to culling, shadows, textures, and location geometry;
Fixed an issue where armor could not be picked up if it was dropped while interacting with the modification window;
Fixed the incorrect behavior of PMC bots toward player Scavs with Fence reputation 6 or higher in PvE Zone;
Fixed an issue preventing further progression in The Labyrinth after spawning in the room requiring a burner tool to exit;
Fixed the incorrect display of smoke grenades in the player’s hands if another player threw a smoke grenade at them;
Fixed the display of changes in the “Combat Skill Leveling Boost” field in the Hall of Fame Hideout zone when one dogtag was replaced with another of a similar level;
Fixed an issue where PostFX settings would not display when preview was enabled;
Fixed an issue where some players could get stuck in the secret saferoom on Interchange without a way to exit;
Fixed the incorrect display of stationary weapons used by bots and multiple cases where bots could float while using them;
Fixed multiple issues with incorrect behavior of loot and gear items when dropped in raid;
Fixed the display of current movement noise level and stance height during raids;
Fixed the third-person animation for inspecting your own inventory.
## What changed
**Client performance** — Multiple optimization improvements across all locations, with impact depending on player hardware and settings
**Player culling system** — Updated system now active on **Customs**, **Interchange**, and **Reserve**; already implemented on **Streets of Tarkov**
**Main menu and dialogue** — Improved responsiveness and smoothing for tab switching and dialogue loading
**Solo Scav raids** — Added ability to play as Scav solo in PvE Zone on local client to reduce matchmaking time
**Online raid loading** — Further improvements to reduce load times
**Magazine audio** — Added drop sounds during reload and when discarding magazines
**Figurines and posters** — Items from Release Twitch Drops event now spawn naturally on locations
**Shoreline extraction window** — Increased time to transition from Shoreline to Terminal
**PMC operational tasks** — Significantly simplified objectives and increased experience rewards; removed co-op extraction requirements
**Story chapter "Tour"** — Added alternative objectives to complete location unlocks by either visiting multiple times or surviving once
**Healing priority** — Multifunctional medkits now prioritize head and thorax after treating bleedings
**PvE Zone solo Scav** — Players now receive achievements after completing all conditions; missing achievements will be granted
**The Lab** — Increased Raider count by 20% and increased quantity/quality of loot in locked and marked rooms
**Hideout crafts** — Reduced duration of most story progression crafts by 40%
**Story chapter timers** — Reduced trader response wait times by 40% in **Falling Skies**, **The Ticket**, **The Unheard**, **The Labyrinth**, and **Batya**
**Story chapter "They Are Already Here"** —
Fixed the client freezes when viewing certain player profiles;
Multiple improvements aimed at optimizing client performance across all locations. The impact of these changes will depend on the player’s hardware configuration and in-game settings;
As part of optimization efforts, an updated player culling system has been implemented on Customs, Interchange, and Reserve. This system has already been active on Streets of Tarkov. Implementation on all locations is planned in future updates;
Improved the responsiveness and smoothness of main menu tabs and dialogue loading;
Added the ability to play as a Scav solo in PvE Zone on a local client to reduce raid matchmaking time;
Added further improvements aimed at reducing online raid loading times;
Adjusted the healing priority for multifunctional medkits: after treating bleedings, priority is now given to head and thorax;
Added magazine drop sounds during reload and when discarding magazines.
Figurines and posters previously available as rewards during the Release Twitch Drops event now spawn on locations;
Increased the available time window for transitioning from Shoreline to Terminal;
Increased the experience gained for completing PMC operational tasks;
Significantly simplified the PMC operational task objectives;
Removed the objectives for co-op extraction in both PMC and Scav operational tasks;
Added alternative objectives to the story chapter “Tour” to simplify location unlocks. Players can now either visit the location multiple times or survive on it one time to complete the objective;
Fixed an issue where water bodies could disappear for some players at certain graphics settings;
Fixed an issue where healing continued after cancellation when searching a backpack looted from another player;
Fixed an issue where players in PvE Zone did not receive achievements after completing all conditions. Missing achievements will be granted;
Fixed the incorrect damage registration after fixing a weapon malfunction in certain cases;
Fixed the cause of BTR Driver task progression resetting in certain cases;
Removed the ability to list incomplete ammo stacks on the Flea Market;
Fixed the inability to pay for vehicle extracts when currency was split across multiple stacks;
Fixed an issue where gear preset purchases failed if items required different currencies or barter trades;
Fixed the cases where killed bots remained in eating or drinking animations;
Fixed an issue where opening the search window in the stash caused client freezes for some players;
Fixed an issue where the lowest durability armor was selected when equipping presets;
Fixed the unnatural water reflections with SSR enabled;
Fixed the inability to transfer money to Mechanic in the story chapter “The Unheard”;
Fixed Error 228 when handing in multiple documents to Mr. Kerman during the first intel submission;
Fixed the duplicated Kerman dialogues in certain cases;
Fixed Error 228 occurring after exiting certain dialogues;
Fixed the inability to hand over roubles in the task “To Great Heights! - Part 4”;
Fixed item loss from backpacks in PvE Zone in certain cases;
Improved the third-person sprint animation transitions from crouched position;
Fixed the duplicate notifications when switching between story chapters;
Fixed the missing dialogue response options in certain cases;
Fixed the missing flashbang explosion sound when player was above or below the detonation point;
Fixed an issue preventing item filter selection at traders;
Fixed the incorrect purchase price of the BNTI Kirasa-N armor (Green) at trader Ref;
Fixed the inability to transfer items to traders immediately after receiving them via in-game messages;
Fixed the ammo display in the Scav Case rewards;
Fixed the missing rewards from the Cultist Circle in certain cases;
Fixed the incorrect stash size display for The Unheard Edition in the Hideout;
Fixed the fuel display in the Generator zone after visiting another player’s Hideout;
Reduced the duration of most Hideout crafts required for story progression by 40%;
Standardized the protection zones of front and rear built-in armor for light armor vests and armored rigs;
Adjusted the prices for most armor vests and armored rigs. Prices of plate carriers without built-in armor have been significantly reduced;
Increased the Raider count in The Lab by 20%;
Increased the quantity and quality of loot in locked and marked rooms;
Increased the fuel tank spawn chance at gas stations on Customs, Lighthouse, and Shoreline;
Reduced the arming distance of the 40mm VOG-25 round to 10 meters;
Reduced the trader sell price of the 40x46mm M386 (HE) grenade;
Increased the trader sell price of the 40mm VOG-25 grenade.
ECLiPSE RBAV-AF plate carrier – removed the groin protection;
Crye Precision AVS, Stich Profi Plate Carrier V2 – moved the stomach protection to groin protection, removed the lower back protection.
Fixed the issues with culling, shadows, textures, and location geometry;
Fixed an issue where some PMC bots would not attack player Scavs in PvE Zone;
Fixed Error 228 when refreshing Hideout zones;
Fixed the incorrect edition localization on the final statistics screen;
Fixed the issues in Black Division and Birdeye weapon presets, as well as Kollontay gear presets.
Reworked the tripwire placement system for The Labyrinth. Tripwires no longer spawn in immediate player spawn points.
Reduced the number of Priest kills required for completion in the story chapter “They Are Already Here” to 1;
Reduced the trader response wait timers by 40% in the following story chapters: Falling Skies, The Ticket, The Unheard, The Labyrinth, and Batya;
## What changed
- **Game server launch mechanics** — adjusted to speed up room creation and get players into raids faster
- **Raid completion mechanics** — optimized to reduce time spent viewing post-raid statistics and leaving raids
- **Game client launch speed** — optimized along with menu loading performance
- **Zubr boat departure timer** — now permanently displayed in the final part of Terminal
- **DLSS** — updated to version 4.5 with support for new presets
## Balance
- **Flash hiders and muzzle brakes** — now reduce recoil more effectively
- **Suppressors** — reduced recoil impact but now have lower ergonomics penalties
- **Network synchronization** — improved for grenade throws and BTR movement
## Bug Fixes
- **Loot interface duplication** — fixed when looting rigs, containers, or killed player/bot inventories
- **Priest kill progress** — fixed resetting after raids in "They Are Already Here" story chapter
- **Mr. Kerman contact** — fixed not making contact after unsuccessful RFID card encryption device search in The Lab
- **Lightkeeper dialogue freezes** — fixed two separate instances preventing Armored case and RFID card acquisition
- **Flea Market Error 214** — fixed bans caused by missing verification windows
- **Flea Market Error 228** — fixed when quickly purchasing multiple items
- **D2 bunker sound occlusion** — fixed incorrect behavior on Reserve
- **Blacked-out limb damage** — fixed incorrect calculation removing penalties
- **Run-Through experience display** — fixed incorrect XP shown on post-raid screen
- **Weapon spawning** — fixed players spawning without weapons in hands
- **GP-25 muzzle flash** — fixed
Adjusted the game server launch mechanics to speed up the process of the creation of rooms for matches and getting players into the raid;
Adjusted the raid completion mechanics and the display of post-raid statistics to speed up the process of leaving the raid after its completion;
Optimized the launch speed of the game client and menu loading;
Added a permanent display of the Zubr boat departure timer to the final part of the Terminal;
Updated the DLSS to version 4.5, and added support for new Presets.
Flash hiders, muzzle brakes, and similar attachments now reduce recoil more effectively;
Suppressors, including their combos with various muzzle brakes, now have a smaller impact on recoil. In exchange, their ergonomics penalty has been reduced.
Fixed an issue that caused the interface to duplicate when looting rigs, containers, or the inventories of killed players or bots in certain cases;
Fixed the progress of Priest kills getting reset after the raid in the story chapter “They Are Already Here”;
Fixed an issue where Mr. Kerman would not make contact after an unsuccessful search for the RFID card encryption device in The Lab;
Fixed an issue that caused the dialogue with Lightkeeper to freeze, preventing players from receiving the Armored case in one of the story tasks;
Fixed an issue that caused the dialogue with Lightkeeper to freeze, preventing players from obtaining the RFID card in certain cases;
Fixed the cause of players receiving a Flea Market ban due to Error 214 when the verification window failed to appear;
Fixed the cause of Error 228 occurring when quickly purchasing multiple items on the Flea Market;
Fixed the incorrect sound occlusion behavior in certain areas of the D2 bunker on Reserve;
Improved the network synchronization of grenade throws and BTR movement;
Fixed the incorrect damage calculation that resulted in no penalties being applied for a blacked-out limb;
Fixed the incorrect experience display on the post-raid statistics screen after completing a raid with the Run-Through status in certain cases;
Fixed an issue where some players would spawn into a raid without a weapon in their hands in certain cases;
Fixed a persistent muzzle flash after firing the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher in certain cases;
Fixed an issue that caused players to slide on inclined surfaces after jumping in certain cases;
Fixed the brief sprint animation triggering when strafing or turning the camera in the direction of movement in certain cases;
Fixed the cause of long transition times when switching to the Character screen and the Tasks tab in certain cases;
Fixed an issue where audio tapes produced in the Hideout would not appear in the handbook without restarting the game;
Fixed an issue where gear presets suggested purchasing weapon parts even though the required weapon build was already in the stash;
Fixed the display issues with certain reward types and unlock conditions on the task screen;
Fixed the display of night vision device mounts and adapters;
Fixed the incorrect ambient sound behavior in certain indoor areas on Terminal;
Fixed the incorrect Steam Rich Presence status switching in certain cases;
Fixed the incorrect scroll bar appearance in certain dropdown lists in the interface;
Fixed the search field not being automatically focused when opening the “Search in Stash” window;
Fixed the display of the mouse sensitivity setting on the settings screen;
Fixed the incorrect bot behavior after fully depleting ammunition in stationary weapons in certain cases.