The narrative unfolds within the fictional city of Tarkov, which serves as the capital of the Norvinsk Special Economic Zone located in the northwestern region of Russia. The timeline of these events spans from 2015 to 2026, a period marked by extreme instability. Due to a series of massive political scandals and the total collapse of powerful corporations, the city of Tarkov has suffered a complete social breakdown. This chaos has allowed various warring factions to tear the city apart, leaving it as a mere shell of its former self. Large sections of the urban environment have fallen under the control of aggressive local inhabitants known as Scavengers (or simply Scavs). Within this dangerous landscape, individuals like the Hungry Scav and the elusive Mouse navigate the ruins.
The conflict is further complicated by the presence of two primary Private Military Company (PMC) factions. The first is United Security (USEC), a Western-based organization. They were specifically hired by a mysterious corporation known as TerraGroup—represented by figures such as the Terragroup VIP—to cover up the company's wide array of illegal activities. The second faction is the Battle Encounter Assault Regiment (BEAR), a company established by the Russian government with the explicit goal of investigating the crimes committed by TerraGroup.
Each of these PMC factions offers unique gameplay advantages and distinct cosmetic options. For instance, operatives aligned with USEC start their journey with higher experience and proficiency when using Western or NATO-based firearms. Conversely, those fighting for BEAR receive a similar experience bonus when utilizing Russian or Soviet-made weaponry. Amidst this clash of mercenaries, figures like Skif, Mike, and Borz operate within the zone.
The most persistent threat to both BEAR and USEC operatives are the Scavengers, the locals of Tarkov who are generally hostile toward any foreign military presence. These Scavs are not a monolithic group but are divided into several distinct factions and tiers of danger. While Normal Scavs typically possess low-tier gear and basic weapons, the city hides much more dangerous entities. These include the Rogues, the mysterious Cultists, and the Scav Raiders, who are equipped with superior gear and exhibit far more complex tactical behaviors at specific spawn points.
At the top of the local food chain are the Scav Bosses. These formidable enemies possess significantly more hitpoints, utilize the highest quality equipment, and are driven by more difficult AI patterns. Many of these bosses, such as Barmaley, Voron, Demon, or the Athlete, are accompanied by elite guards to ensure their protection. Even those who seem out of place, like the Bride or the Serb, play a role in the city's fragmented power structure. To keep the environment unpredictable, Battlestate Games occasionally modifies the spawn rates and the specific maps where these various factions appear during special in-game events.
