Scav Karma Explained in Tarkov Patch 13.5

Escape From Tarkov is brutally challenging for newcomers as many mechanics aren’t readily explained. Scav Karma is one of those, and as a beginner, you risk a ton of adverse side effects if you get it wrong. Let me explain everything you need to know about Scav Karma in Tarkov Patch 13.5. What it is, what it does, and how to make the most of it.

Scav Karma Explained in Tarkov Patch 13.5

When you play as a Scav, you start with a random gear loadout. Anything you extract can be used by your PMC or sold to the Traders. However, your actions during the run can influence your Scav Karma. 

Image by PC Invasion

You can check this value in the Traders menu by selecting Fence, the Scav Boss. Your details are in the box on the right side. Mine, for example, is 0.22.

There are multiple ways to increase your Scav Karma, but the easiest ones are these:

• Successfully extracting as a Scav (+0.01)
• Taking a paid vehicle extract as a PMC (+0.04 first time. Diminishing returns)
• Using a Co-op Extract as either a Scav or PMC (0.25 first time. Diminishing returns)
• Killing a PMC as a Scav (+0.02, +0.03 if the PMC kills two or more Scavs)
• Killing a Traitor Scav as a Scav (+0.03)

There are multiple perks to having high Scav Karma, including reduced Scav Timers, so you can use them more often. High Karma also grants better gear for your Scavs, although this isn’t guaranteed. If you grind all the way up to 6.00, Fence has an additional tab of items for sale, and you can even befriend Scav Bosses like Reshala; now that’s a perk!

Can I lose Scav Karma?

Just as there are multiple ways to gain Scav Karma, there are plenty of ways to lose it:

• Kill an AI Scav as a Scav (-0.03 to -0.05)
• Kill a Player Scav as a Scav (-0.10)
• Defeat a Scav Boss guard as a Scav (-0.05)
• Kill A Scav Boss as a Scav (-0.20)

Committing any of the above offenses will mark you as a ‘Traitor Scav,’ meaning AI Scavs will shoot you on sight. Fighting back will incur further penalties, so you must decide if just dying and trying again is the better option.

If you’re a new player and want to build Scav Karma, your best bet is to play passively and only shoot if you’ve already been shot first. This does mean you won’t finish every Raid alive, but it’s a rough life in Tarkov! 

Poor Scav Karma leads to longer cooldowns to play as a Scav and inferior gear. If you manage to drop your Scav Karma down to -5.00, all AI Scavs will shoot you on sight, no matter what you do.

Are there any ways to cheat the system?

The system is mostly watertight, but if you spot 2 Scavs fighting, you can use the situation to your advantage. Regardless of who shot first, if a Scav kills another Scav in cold blood, they are a ‘Traitor.’ If you kill them, you earn +0.03 Rep and whatever loot they carry. 

It’s hard to tell the difference between PMCs and Scavs, especially when PMCs can wear things like Scav Vests and Bobble Hats. Shoes are always a giveaway (Scavs don’t wear military boots), but good luck making that call before your opponent sees you. If you want to gain decent Scav Karma, it pays to keep your weapon down and take deaths on the chin.

These numbers can always change, but thanks to Battlestate Games’ new policy on Datamining, the player base doesn’t always know immediately. The Scav Karma dynamic has remained the same for a while, and if you want to indicate you’re friendly, chat on VOIP or do the ‘Scav wiggle.’ Rapidly leaning left and right is a Scav greeting that existed before VOIP was added to the game. It looks ridiculous, but if you want to survive, respect the wiggle.