Battlestate Games has released update 1.0.4.5 for Escape from Tarkov, which makes a number of improvements and balance changes.
The influential extraction shooter has increased the FPS limit in menus, and made changes to the animation system and audio engine to improve PC resource usage. Meanwhile, the architecture of post-raid systems is reworked to reduce the time required to exit a raid and return to the menu.
Also of note, Battlestate has updated the left-shoulder firing stance logic, so 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.
As for balance changes, Battlestate has introduced the second stage of weapon mod adjustments, focusing on barrels and handguards.
The patch notes, as per Battlestate Games, are below.
Changes
- Improvements aimed at optimizing off-raid screens;
- Increased the FPS limit in menus and added an option to adjust it in the game settings;
- 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;
- 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;
Please note that the impact of these changes will depend on your PC configuration and in-game settings.
- 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 counts player kills only.
Balancing changes
With this update, we introduce the second stage of weapon mod adjustments, focusing on barrels and handguards. Muzzle devices and stocks were further adjusted based on the first iteration.
Barrels follow the same principle as before. Longer barrels provide greater recoil reduction but impose higher ergonomics penalties. Changes were made to:
- Standardize parameters and make them clearer.
- Make the choice between short and long barrels more meaningful.
Handguards no longer reduce recoil. Their role is now to offset ergonomics penalties imposed by barrels.
Muzzle devices were further refined following the first iteration. Suppressors and their combinations with compensators now reduce ergonomics more and affect recoil less.These changes are intended to further increase the popularity of unsuppressed weapon builds. Adjustments to muzzle flash are planned for future updates.
Buttstocks received minor adjustments, mainly addressing inaccuracies and issues from the first iteration.
Base characteristics of many weapons have been updated to better align with the new balance. Recoil and ergonomics have been improved for the following:
- All AK, AKM, and AK-100 series weapons;
- Steyr AUG A1;
- Steyr AUG A3;
- HK G36;
- HK 416A5;
- FN SCAR-L;
- FN SCAR-H;
- 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 7.62×51, 7.62x54R, .338, and .50 BMG.
Fixes
- 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.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
