**The Ultimate Guide to the Woods Map in Escape from Tarkov**

Introduction

Escape from Tarkov's Woods map is a vast and unforgiving terrain, teeming with hidden dangers and lucrative opportunities. Navigating this sprawling wilderness requires a combination of knowledge, cunning, and a keen eye for detail. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into every aspect of the Woods map, providing you with the tools and strategies you need to conquer its challenges and reap its rewards.

Map Overview

Key Features:

• Vast, forested area with rolling hills and dense undergrowth
• Numerous landmarks and points of interest
• High-value loot locations, including caches and hidden stashes
• Dangerous AI scavs and player-controlled enemies

Dimensions:

• Length: Approximately 1,200 meters
• Width: Approximately 800 meters

Extracts:

• Zavodskoy Gate (ZB-014): Located in the southwest corner of the map, this is a heavily contested extract available for both PMC and scav players.
• Woods Outskirts (ZB-013): Situated in the southeast corner of the map, this extract is only available for PMC players.
• Roadblock (ZB-010): Found in the northwest corner of the map, this extract requires a key and is available for both PMC and scav players.
• Scav House (ZB-012): Positioned in the northeast corner of the map, this extract is only accessible by scav players.

Landmarks and Points of Interest

Northern Area

• Scav House: A small shack with limited loot, primarily used by scav players as an extraction point.
• Vehicle Graveyard: A junkyard filled with abandoned vehicles, offering potential loot and cover.
• Rock Pass: A narrow passage between large rocks, often used as a chokepoint by players.
• Northern UN Camp: A small military camp with basic loot, including medical supplies and weapons.
• Northern Lake: A serene lake with minimal cover, offering opportunities for long-range engagements.

Western Area

• Zavodskoy Gate (ZB-014): A heavily guarded military checkpoint with high-value loot, including weapons and armor.
• Mountain Pass: A steep, rocky path leading to the eastern part of the map, providing a strategic advantage for players.
• Sawmill: A large industrial complex with multiple buildings, offering ample loot and potential PvP encounters.
• Western UN Camp: A larger military camp than its northern counterpart, with better loot and more challenging AI scavs.

Eastern Area

• Woods Outskirts (ZB-013): A heavily fortified PMC extraction point with limited loot and AI scav presence.
• Eastern UN Camp: The largest and most well-equipped military camp on the map, housing the infamous boss, Shturman.
• Road to Customs: A dirt road leading to the Customs map, offering a potential escape route or access to different resources.
• Old Sawmill: A dilapidated sawmill with limited loot and occasional AI scav patrols.
• Eastern Lake: A smaller lake than its northern counterpart, providing cover and opportunities for aquatic encounters.

Southern Area

• Roadblock (ZB-010): A fortified roadblock with a key-locked gate, offering a secure extraction point for both PMC and scav players.
• Red Flare: A point of interest with a red smoke flare, often indicating high-value loot or dangerous encounters.
• Scav Bunkers: A series of underground bunkers used by scav players as shelters or hiding spots.
• Southern UN Camp: A small military camp with modest loot and occasional AI scav patrols.

High-Value Loot Locations

Caches

• Plane Crash: In the northern part of the map, look for a crashed plane on the ground for military-grade loot.
• Helicopter Crash: Located south of the Northern UN Camp, this downed helicopter often contains valuable weapons and gear.
• Abandoned Bus: Situated near the Road to Customs, this abandoned bus sometimes yields high-value items.
• Bus Station: In the southern part of the map, search inside the bus station for potential loot spawns.
• Village Huts: Several huts scattered around the map may contain hidden stashes with various loot.

Stashes

• Stash by the River: Located on the eastern side of the river, look for a tree with a hidden cache nearby.
• Stash under the Bridge: Beneath the road bridge in the southern part of the map, you may find a small stash under some rocks.
• Stash in the Woods: In the dense forest area north of the Western UN Camp, search for a fallen tree with a stash hidden underneath it.
• Stash in the Old Sawmill: Within the dilapidated Old Sawmill, check for a hidden stash behind a wooden barrier.
• Stash in the Scav Bunkers: Some of the Scav Bunkers in the southern part of the map contain hidden stashes.

Other Loot Areas

• Military Camps: Both UN camps and Zavodskoy Gate offer a variety of military-grade loot, including weapons, armor, and medical supplies.
• Sawmill: The Sawmill complex is a significant loot hotspot with various items ranging from machinery to ammunition.
• Village: The small village in the southern part of the map contains houses and other structures with potential loot spawns.
• Vehicle Graveyard: Abandoned vehicles in the Vehicle Graveyard often have containers with various gear, including weapons and armor.
• Scavs: Looting downed AI scavs and player scavs can yield valuable items, including keys and loot they have gathered.

AI Scavs and Player Enemies

AI Scavs

• Behavior: AI scavs generally patrol defined areas of the map, following specific routes and engaging players at various ranges.
• Difficulty: AI scavs come in different difficulty levels, with more challenging scavs offering better loot but also posing greater threats.
• Spawn Points: AI scavs spawn at predetermined locations around the map, with specific spawn areas and frequencies.
• Strategy: When encountering AI scavs, consider your surroundings and use cover to your advantage. Aim for headshots to take them down quickly and avoid their sometimes unpredictable behavior.

Player Scavs:

• Playstyle: Player scavs resemble AI scavs in appearance but are controlled by human players. They typically engage in looting and extraction rather than direct player confrontations.
• Communication: Player scavs can communicate using voice commands or emotes, making it possible to form temporary alliances or coordinate actions.
• Risks: While generally non-aggressive, player scavs can still pose a threat, especially if startled or provoked. Be cautious when approaching or interacting with them.

Player PMC:

• Motivation: PMC players are the primary adversaries in Escape from Tarkov, competing for resources, loot, and territorial dominance.
• Tactics: PMC players employ a wide range of tactics, from stealthy approaches to aggressive firefights. Expect them to utilize various weapons, gadgets, and skills to gain an advantage.
• Strategy: When facing PMC players, prioritize cover and situational awareness. Coordinate with teammates to flank them or suppress their movements. Use grenades and other explosive devices to disrupt their positions or force them into unfavorable engagements.

Essential Tips and Strategies

• Choose a Landing Zone Carefully: Pick a landing zone that aligns with your desired loot route and extraction points. Consider the potential for enemy encounters and avoid high-traffic areas during peak hours.

• Learn the Map and Landmarks: Familiarize yourself with the map layout, key landmarks, and potential chokepoints. Use in-game tools like the compass and map overview to navigate effectively.

• Manage Your Inventory: Bring appropriate gear for the environment and potential engagements. Prioritize essential items like medical supplies, ammunition, and a primary weapon. Keep your inventory organized to facilitate quick access to needed items.

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to sounds, footsteps, and visual clues that indicate the presence of other players or AI scavs. Use headphones to enhance your situational awareness and gain an advantage in detecting enemy movements.

• Utilize Cover and Concealment: Take advantage of natural cover like trees, rocks, and bushes to avoid detection. Move through the map stealthily, minimizing your exposure to potential threats. Use smoke grenades to obscure your movements or create a diversion.

• Flank and Engage: Avoid direct confrontations whenever possible. Flank enemy players or AI scavs by taking alternative routes or using the environment to your advantage. Coordinate with teammates to execute coordinated attacks from multiple angles.

• Extract Safely: Plan your extraction route in advance, considering potential threats and enemy positions. Move towards your extraction point with caution and avoid unnecessary engagements. Communicate with your teammates to ensure a synchronized extraction.

Useful Tables

AI Scav Spawn Points

High-Value Loot Locations

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