This update represents the second stage of a major weapon mod adjustment. If you have been relying on specific handguards to tame your spray, you will need to rethink your build; these parts no longer reduce recoil. Instead, barrels now play a much larger role in ergonomics. It is a change that forces us to choose between snappy handling and raw stability rather than having a single 'best-in-slot' configuration for every rifle.
For those of us grinding through the Norvinsk region in the local PvE Zone, the new task progression protection system is a massive quality-of-life win. If your client unexpectedly shuts down during a raid, the system now safeguards your quest progress, preventing those soul-crushing setbacks caused by technical hiccups rather than Scav bullets.
Performance has also taken center stage. We are seeing significant optimizations for off-raid screens and major map improvements for Lighthouse, Shoreline, Woods, and Ground Zero. Players should notice smoother frame delivery and fewer stutters when navigating these high-traffic areas. Additionally, your K/D stat is now a truer reflection of your skill against other mercenaries, as it now exclusively tracks player kills rather than padding the numbers with Scav eliminations.
The patch also integrates new gear from EFT: Arena into the standard trader assortments and squashes several long-standing bugs, including the frustrating Error 228 that frequently interrupted trader dialogues. Whether you are a USEC or BEAR, these changes mean a more stable, balanced, and tactical experience in the streets of Tarkov.
Soren