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Surviving a raid in Escape from Tarkov largely depends on your understanding of ammo and armor mechanics. Unlike many other shooters, where weapons dictate damage, EFT emphasizes ammunition choice. Your bullets determine your shots' effectiveness, not just the gun you use. 

I once assumed that flaunting a top-tier gun already meant  I could pierce through anything. That was until a player with an average gun loaded with armor-piercing rounds shredded through my gear like paper. 

In this EFT Ammo and Armor Guide, I’ll break down these mechanics and teach you how ammo and armor interact with each other in Tarkov so you can dominate your raids!

Ammo Attributes in EFT

Ammo in EFT is about damage, penetration, bullet velocity, and special effects. Every weapon has its own caliber, and using the wrong type can render your weapon useless.

Key Ammo Attributes:

• Damage – Determines how much health a bullet takes when it hits an unarmored target
• Penetration – Dictates the likelihood of piercing armor; high penetration rounds can neutralize even heavy armor.
• Bullet Velocity – Affects travel time and accuracy at long distances. Faster bullets are easier to lead against moving targets.
• Recoil Impact – Some high-power rounds increase weapon recoil, making follow-up shots harder.

For example, 5.56x45mm M855 rounds (penetration 30) can break through Class 3 armor, but they’ll struggle against Class 4+. On the other hand, 7.62x39mm BP rounds (penetration 47) can punch through Class 4+ armor easily.

The key to success in EFT? Choosing ammo based on your target’s armor level, not just raw damage.

How Does Ammo Interact with Armor? 

Your choice of ammo dictates whether you’ll drop an enemy instantly or just annoy them. EFT’s armor system is brutal, where low-penetration rounds will barely scratch high-tier armor, while powerful armor-piercing rounds shred through protection like butter.

I learned this the hard way when I ambushed a geared PMC, unloading an entire mag of 9x19mm PST GZH rounds into their Class 5 armor, only for them to tank the shots and drop me with two well-placed M61 rounds.

How to Choose Ammo for Armor:

• Low Penetration (≤30) – Good for unarmored enemies or Class 1-3 armor.
• Medium Penetration (30-40) – Can pierce Class 3-4 with some effectiveness.
• High Penetration (40+) – Required for Class 4+ armor.

Pro Tip: Always check ammo stats in-game. Using cheap, high-damage rounds like 9x39mm SP-6 against armored foes will result in frustration, while high-penetration rounds like M61 or AP-6.3 will let you punch through defenses with ease.

Armor Classes and Their Role in Survival 

Armor in EFT is divided into six classes, each offering varying levels of protection. However, armor isn’t just about class, it’s also about durability, coverage, and materials.

Armor Classes:

• Class 1-2 – Barely useful, stops weak pistol rounds.
• Class 3 – Stops most pistol rounds but struggles against rifle rounds.
• Class 4 – Good mid-tier armor, resistant to many common rounds.
• Class 5 – Can absorb multiple hits from non-armor-piercing rounds.
• Class 6 – The best armor, but still not invincible.

Each armor also has durability, which decreases with each hit. Heavily damaged armor provides less protection.  Additionally, some armor types only cover the chest and back, while others provide additional protection for the stomach or shoulders. 

Durability and Armor Wear Over Time

Armor doesn’t last forever in EFT. Each piece has durability, which decreases with every hit. Once an armor’s durability drops too low, it barely offers any protection.

Durability Factors:

• Higher armor class = more durability.
• Each repair lowers the max durability.

Certain materials (like ceramic) degrade faster than others.

To extend your armor’s life:

• Repair with Traders who offer high-quality repairs.
• Use armor that fits your playstyle, lighter gear for mobility, heavier for protection.

Helmets and Face Protection 

Helmets in EFT follow the same armor class system as body armor. Some protect only the top of your head, while others cover the ears, jaw, and face.

Early on, I skipped helmets, thinking they were useless. That was until a Scav one-tapped me with a lucky pistol shot to the head. I now never enter a raid without at least a Class 3 helmet.

Helmet Tips:

• Higher-tier helmets reduce headshot damage but aren’t foolproof.
• Face shields can stop weak rounds but shatter quickly.
• Use helmets with ear protection for better survivability.
• A Fast MT helmet with a face shield is solid, but don’t rely on it to stop high-penetration rounds like M61 or BS ammo.

Armor Repair: When to Fix and When to Replace 

In EFT, armor degrades with use. Each repair lowers max durability, meaning eventually, your armor becomes a liability rather than protection.

When to Repair vs. Replace:

• Repair if the remaining durability is 60%+ of its original value.
• Replace if repairs have drastically lowered its effectiveness.
• Using a repair kit might seem cost-effective, but if an armor is too damaged, it's better to buy a new one.

Choosing the Right Loadout

Selecting the best ammo and armor depends on your playstyle and budget. 

• Budget Loadout – Use Class 3 or 4 armor with mid-tier AP ammo for balanced protection and affordability.
• High-Tier Loadout – Class 5 or 6 armor with top-tier AP rounds for maximum survivability.
• Stealth Loadout – Lightweight armor with suppressed weapons and subsonic ammo for silent takedowns.

Conclusion 

Understanding ammo and armor interaction is important for you to survive in EFT. Always match your ammo to your enemy’s armor, maintain your gear, and know when to repair or replace your armor. Knowing whether your gear and ammunition can match up to your opponents or not will be crucial in staying alive.

This EFT Ammo and Armor Guide covered how bullets penetrate armor, how armor protects you, and when to repair gear. Now, load up wisely, and stay alive in your next raid! If you put this knowledge to good use, you will improve in PvP and make smarter decisions about the fights you take.

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• About Escape From Tarkov
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