Escape from Tarkov Ground Zero Map: Extracts and Quests Guide

In Escape from Tarkov, surviving a raid is just as important as the loot you secure. With its introduction of the Ground Zero map, Battlestate Games has raised the stakes. This new map requires players to engage in tight, urban warfare while navigating high-stakes extraction points and completing challenging quests. In this guide, we’ll break down every critical detail of the Ground Zero map—highlighting key locations, extraction points, quest objectives, and strategies that will keep you a step ahead of enemies, be they AI or other players.

Overview of Ground Zero Map

The Ground Zero map is modeled after a bombed-out urban district, full of dense residential areas, industrial warehouses, and hidden underground bunkers. Unlike Tarkov’s larger, more open maps, Ground Zero’s design focuses on tight corridors and multiple elevation points, making it a unique experience where danger can lurk on every floor and behind every corner. Players need to balance both close-quarters combat (CQC) and long-range engagements, making this map particularly deadly. 

Notable Features 

• Terrain: The map is divided into above-ground urban areas and an extensive network of tunnels below. 
• Weather Effects: Rain, fog, and even nighttime conditions significantly impact visibility. 
• Unique Loot Zones: Ground Zero contains some of the most diverse loot, ranging from common supplies to rare collectibles. 

For players ready to face the challenges, Ground Zero offers rewards equal to its risks, with high-value loot hidden within the map’s most dangerous zones. 

Key Locations on Ground Zero

Ground Zero’s diverse locations present unique challenges and advantages. Below, we’ll delve into each notable area, including the type of loot you can expect and strategic tips for surviving. 

The Medical Center

• Loot Type: Medical items such as stims, meds, and rare first-aid kits like Grizzly and CMS kits. 
• Layout: The Medical Center is a multi-story building with a dark, cluttered interior that’s easy to get lost in. 
• Challenges: This spot is popular among both scavs and PMCs for its valuable loot, leading to frequent firefights. 
• Tips: Use a flashlight attachment when searching rooms. Consider bringing extra medkits since engagements here often involve multiple enemies. 

The Medical Center is a hotspot for quest items tied to survival, making it a high-risk, high-reward area. It’s recommended to visit early or late in the raid to avoid other PMCs. 

The Police Station

• Loot Type: Ammunition (often high-penetration rounds), weapon attachments, armor, and tactical items. 
• Layout: A two-story building with narrow hallways and staircases. 
• Challenges: Players tend to camp here due to high-value items. Visibility is poor, and gunshots echo, making stealth difficult. 
• Tips: Utilize doorways for cover, and remember that windows can reveal your position. Bring flashbangs to clear rooms without exposing yourself. 

The Police Station is often required for quest objectives, so don’t be surprised if you encounter other PMCs or even minibosses here. 

Underground Bunker

• Loot Type: Rare military gear, ammo, and encrypted data (valuable in Fence’s quests). 
• Layout: A series of connected rooms, narrow hallways, and dark corners. 
• Challenges: Scavs spawn regularly, and sightlines are limited, making it ideal for ambushes. 
• Tips: Equip a flashlight or NVG (Night Vision Goggles) if you plan on exploring the bunker at night. Beware of the echo from gunshots, as it can mislead you on enemy positions. 

The bunker is especially dangerous because of its lack of natural light. Many players bring high-penetration rounds to ensure quick kills in the confined space. 

High-Rise Apartments

• Loot Type: Miscellaneous residential items, currency, and occasionally high-tier items in safes. 
• Layout: Tall residential towers with multiple levels and rooms, some with broken walls and tight spaces. 
• Challenges: The multi-floor layout makes it difficult to keep track of enemies. 
• Tips: Clear each floor methodically. Avoid rushing up the stairs, as players tend to camp on upper floors. 

The high-rise provides excellent sniper positions from windows, but watch out for traps set by other players, especially on popular floors.

Abandoned Warehouse

• Loot Type: Industrial supplies, weapon parts, fuel, and provisions. 
• Layout: Large, open space with various stacks of crates and vehicles for cover. 
• Challenges: It’s hard to control sightlines, and multiple entries make it easy for enemies to ambush. 
• Tips: Always move with cover in mind. Use the stacks of crates for stealth, and avoid the exposed center of the warehouse. 

The warehouse is ideal for those looking to quickly grab items like fuel, but the openness makes it a deadly place to linger. 

Ground Zero Extraction Points

Extracting from Ground Zero isn’t straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of each extract, including requirements, tips, and strategic value. 

South Gate Extraction

1. Requirements: None. Always open. 
2. Pros: It’s the easiest extraction point to reach. 
3. Cons: Easily camped by other players. 
4. Tips: Time your exit well. Listen carefully before approaching, as footsteps near this extract can reveal nearby campers. 

The South Gate extraction offers a straightforward way out, but since it’s accessible to everyone, you may want to avoid it if you’re carrying valuable loot. 

Underground Sewer Exit

• Requirements: Sewer Key. 
• Pros: Hidden, harder to camp. 
• Cons: Requires a specific key, and enemies can ambush in the tight underground corridors. 
• Tips: Bring a flashlight, and keep grenades ready for clearing tight spaces. 

The Sewer Exit is ideal for players with valuable loot, as it’s less accessible. However, without the Sewer Key, it’s unusable, so plan accordingly. 

Vehicle Extract at the Police Station

• Requirements: Roubles payment (1,000 – 5,000 Roubles, varies by raid). 
• Pros: Provides a quick escape from a high-risk area. 
• Cons: Noisy extraction process, vulnerable to ambush. 
• Tips: Clear the area before initiating extraction, and be prepared to defend yourself while the extraction timer counts down. 

This extract is convenient but costly. Use it only when carrying valuable loot or if you’re in immediate danger. 

High-Rise Roof Extraction

• Requirements: Open only at specific raid intervals. 
• Pros: Unique vantage point with a good view of surroundings. 
• Cons: High risk of getting sniped or ambushed by other players. 
• Tips: Keep an eye on the raid timer, as the extraction window is limited. Avoid using the roof if the area is heavily contested. 

The High-Rise Roof provides a fantastic extraction for those caught late in a raid, but it’s also high-risk due to its visibility. 

Northern Wall Escape

1. Requirements: Requires Scav cooperation. 
2. Pros: Reliable extraction when used with Scavs.
3. Cons: Risky due to reliance on other players. 
4. Tips: Arrange to meet with a trusted Scav partner, or signal your intention to cooperate before approaching. 

The Northern Wall Escape is a strategic option for players who enjoy scav-PMC cooperation, but it requires trust, which can be difficult to establish. 

Main Quests in Ground Zero

Ground Zero introduces challenging quests with high rewards. Here’s a deeper look into each of the primary quests. 

“Recon Mission” (Skier)

Objective: Collect three intelligence documents from various high-traffic buildings. 

• Loot Reward: Currency, high-level items, and a special intel-related bonus for completion. 
• Tips: Prioritize stealth and be aware of the spawn zones for PMCs and Scavs. Move light to be agile and reduce noise. 

This quest often leads players into contested areas. Avoid unnecessary fights and focus on retrieval. 

“Scav Hunt” (Prapor)

Objective: Eliminate 10 Scavs. 

• Loot Reward: Ammo, currency, and weapons. 
• Tips: Check known Scav hotspots like the Medical Center and Police Station. Avoid using loud weapons to avoid attracting attention. 

The Scav Hunt is a great warm-up for those seeking to hone their CQC skills on this map. 

“Key to Survival” (Therapist)

Objective: Retrieve a key from the Police Station’s basement. 

• Loot Reward: Medical kits, cash, and an item unlocking additional quests. 
• Tips: Don’t rush. Take out enemies one by one, and keep your escape route clear. 

High-risk rewards make this quest worthwhile. Consider bringing a squad to watch entrances and exits. 

“Supplies Run” (Peacekeeper)

Objective: Collect stims and other supplies from the Medical Center. 

• Loot Reward: Dollars, a rare medical item, and ammo. 
• Tips: Choose weapons with high ammo capacity, and use grenades to control entry points. 

Tips and Tricks for Navigating Ground Zero 

Here’s a deeper set of strategic tips: 

• Loadouts: Equip mid-range scopes, high-penetration rounds, and tactical rigs for flexibility. 
• Sound Cues: Rely on sound to identify enemy proximity, but beware of the echoes. 
• Avoid Open Spaces: Travel through alleyways or tight corridors to avoid snipers. 
• Grenade Usage: Use grenades liberally to clear tight spaces. 
• Buddy System: Ground Zero is punishing solo; bring a partner for greater survival odds. 

 
Conclusion 

Ground Zero pushes Escape from Tarkov players to the edge of survival. This comprehensive guide equips you with essential knowledge, but in Tarkov, adapting in the moment is key. Use this as a foundational tool to refine your strategies and improve your survival chances.