9.7. Reserve Map Guide
Reserve is one of the most challenging and rewarding maps in Escape from Tarkov, known for its heavily fortified military complex, underground bunkers, and high-tier loot. It's a PvP-heavy environment where skilled players and well-geared Scavs roam freely, making survival a true test of skill.
This guide will provide an in-depth look at Reserve, covering its key locations, loot spawns, extraction points, and essential tactics for navigating its dangerous terrain. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a brave newcomer, understanding Reserve is key to conquering it.
Key Locations and Points of Interest
Reserve is characterized by its distinct areas, each with its own risks and rewards.
- The Docks: A common spawn point and a high-traffic area. Features a train extract and several lootable containers.
- The Pawn Shop: A small, often contested building with good loot potential.
- The King's House: A fortified building with multiple levels and valuable loot spawns.
- The Hermetic Bunker: A crucial underground area with multiple entrances and exits, often containing high-tier loot and valuable quest items.
- The Barracks: A series of buildings offering numerous loot opportunities, but also a high chance of encountering other players or Raiders.
- The Radar Station: An elevated position offering excellent sightlines but also making you a prime target for snipers.
- The Black Bishop/White Bishop/Queen Buildings: These central buildings are heavily fortified and often contain valuable loot and quest objectives.
Loot Spawns and High-Value Areas
Reserve is renowned for its abundance of high-tier loot, making it a prime target for geared players.
- Military Crates: Found throughout the map, these can contain valuable weapon parts, ammunition, and high-tier gear.
- Filing Cabinets and Toolboxes: Common loot containers that can yield tools, keys, and other valuable items.
- Tech Loot: The server room and other electronic areas often spawn valuable tech items like GPUs, CPUs, and hard drives.
- Weapon Spawns: High-end weapons can spawn in various locations, particularly within the military complex and bunkers.
- Quest Items: Reserve is a common map for many high-level quests, so be on the lookout for quest-specific items.
Raiders and Scavs
Reserve is patrolled by both regular Scavs and the formidable Raiders. Raiders are highly skilled AI enemies with excellent gear and tactics, making them a significant threat.
- Raider Patrols: Raiders often patrol the military complex, the underground bunkers, and other key areas.
- Scav Spawns: Regular Scavs also spawn throughout the map, particularly around the Docks and Barracks.
- Player Scavs: Player Scavs can spawn on Reserve, and their behavior is unpredictable.
Extraction Points
Extracting from Reserve can be as challenging as surviving the raid itself.
- RB-ST: Requires a key and is located in the underground bunker.
- RB-KЗ: Requires a key and is located near the Barracks.
- RB-VO: Requires a key and is located in the underground bunker.
- Train: Activated by a player or AI Scav pulling a lever. The train arrives at the Docks.
- Underground Passage: Requires a key and is located in the underground bunker.
- Helicopter (Requires Payment): An expensive but reliable extraction, located near the Radar Station.
- Heating Pipe: A risky extraction located on the roof of one of the central buildings.
Tactics for Reserve
- Sound Awareness: Reserve is a noisy map with many metallic surfaces. Listen carefully for footsteps, gunfire, and the distinctive sounds of Raiders.
- High-Tier Gear: Due to the nature of the map and its loot, players often come heavily geared. Be prepared for intense PvP engagements.
- Underground Navigation: The underground bunkers are a maze. Learn the layouts and common routes to avoid getting lost or ambushed.
- Raider Encounters: Treat Raiders with extreme caution. They are dangerous and well-equipped. Aim for headshots and use cover effectively.
- Extraction Planning: Always have a clear extraction plan and be aware of potential ambushes near extraction points.
Reserve is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can master its challenges, the rewards are immense. Good luck, and may your raids be profitable!