The Reserve map in Escape from Tarkov is a highly challenging yet rewarding battlefield. Known for its complex layout and a plethora of loot opportunities, it’s a popular map among experienced players looking to test their tactical skills and resourcefulness.
This guide covers everything from key locations and high-tier loot spots to essential extraction points and the role of the map’s boss, Gluhar.
Map Overview
Reserve is a large, military-themed map featuring a variety of buildings, underground bunkers, and hidden passageways. It’s filled with valuable loot, such as military equipment, weapon attachments, and rare items like GPUs and Tetriz.
However, navigating it can be tricky, especially with the presence of other players (PMC and Scavs), the scav boss Gluhar, and his raiders.
The map supports 12 PMC players and several scav spawns, along with Gluhar and his heavily armed guards, making it a hotspot for intense PvP and PvE combat.
Key Locations on Reserve
The Dome
The Dome is an iconic location on the Reserve map, offering a bird’s-eye view of most of the battlefield. It’s often a strategic point for snipers due to its high elevation. Inside, you can find multiple weapon crates and intelligence folders, making it a great spot for valuable loot.
King Building
One of the central landmarks, the King Building, is a three-story structure with valuable tech spawns, such as graphics cards, Tetriz, and intelligence folders. It’s also home to a marked room, which often contains rare weapons and high-value items.
Black and White Bishop
The Black and White Bishop buildings are other major loot points. Black Bishop houses tech loot and medical supplies, while White Bishop is primarily known for medical spawns, including rare stims and meds, ideal for players needing to restock healing items.
Knights and Pawns
Both Black and White Knight buildings feature locked rooms filled with rare loot, such as weapon parts and ammo. The Pawn buildings (Black and White) offer weapon attachments and mods, making them worthwhile stops during your run.
Must-Have Keys for Reserve
Several keys unlock rooms with high-tier loot, such as:
RB-BK (Black Bishop): Contains weapons, key tools, and other rare items.
RB-VO (Black Pawn): Features grenade cases and weapon spawns.
RB-SMP (White Bishop): Known for rare medical loot.
RB-ST: A critical key for obtaining military items like tank batteries.
RB-MP21: A good key for finding modded AKs and weapon attachments.
Having these keys on hand greatly increases your chances of extracting with valuable loot.
Loot Hotspots
Reserve offers numerous loot hotspots, many of which don’t require keys. Some of the best locations for rare and high-tier items include:
King Building: Tech loot and intelligence spawns on the second floor.
Black Knight: Weapon parts, ammo, and rare attachments.
Underground Bunker: A great spot for military cables, hoses, and other rare loot.
Dome: Scattered intelligence folders and weapon crates.
Even without keys, you can run through these areas, pick up loot, and extract quickly. Many players prefer running to the Sewer Manhole extract to avoid confrontation, making it a low-risk option for high rewards.
Scav Boss Gluhar
Gluhar is the scav boss who roams the Reserve map with his guards. He has a 30% spawn chance and can appear in various locations, including the storage building, repair building, and underground warehouse.
Gluhar and his guards are heavily armed with weapons like the ASH-12, AK-74M, and M4A1, making them formidable opponents.
They usually stay within their spawn area and are highly territorial, making it critical to use grenades and aim for the head to take them down effectively. If successful, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best loot the map has to offer, including high-tier weapons and gear.
Extraction Points
Reserve is known for its challenging extraction points, many of which require completing specific actions. Here are some of the primary extracts:
Armored Train: Located at the train station, the Armored Train extract becomes available 15 to 20 minutes before the end of the raid. It honks twice upon arrival and once before departing, staying in place for 7 minutes.
Bunker Hermetic Door: Requires you to activate a lever in the shack west of White Pawn and reach the bunker door within 4 minutes.
Cliff Descent: Located behind the dome, this extract requires a Red Rebel Ice Pick and Paracord, but you must not be wearing an armor vest to use it.
D-2: One of the most popular extracts, the D-2 is located in the underground bunker system. You’ll need to turn on the power in the command center and activate the door to escape.
Sewer Manhole: A quick and easy extract located at the manhole, but you cannot have a backpack to use this exit.
Each extraction point presents its own challenges, so knowing where they are and what’s required to use them can make the difference between a successful run and losing everything.
Strategies for Surviving Reserve
Surviving on Reserve requires a good mix of map knowledge, tactical skill, and adaptability. Here are some tips to help you thrive on the map:
Use the Underground Bunkers: The bunker system connects many of the major buildings, allowing you to move stealthily across the map without exposing yourself to snipers or other players.
Prioritize High-Traffic Loot Areas: Locations like the Dome and King Building are often contested, so it’s crucial to move quickly and secure loot before others arrive.
Stay Mobile: Given the map’s size and multiple extraction points, staying on the move is essential. Avoid camping in one spot for too long, as it increases the chances of running into other players or Gluhar’s raiders.
By understanding the layout, mastering the key locations, and developing smart extraction strategies, you can greatly increase your chances of success on the Reserve map in Escape from Tarkov.
Whether you’re hunting for rare tech items or engaging in intense firefights with PMCs and raiders, Reserve offers an unparalleled level of challenge and reward.
FAQs
Q: What is the Reserve map in Tarkov?
A: The Reserve map is a sprawling, industrial complex in Escape From Tarkov. It features a variety of locations, including warehouses, forests, and a train depot.
Q: What are some of the key locations on Reserve?
A: Some of the key locations on Reserve include:
Checkpoint
Dorms
Gas Station
Train Depot
Red Forest
Q: Where can I find the best loot on Reserve?
A: Reserve offers a variety of loot opportunities. Some of the best places to find loot include:
Industrial buildings
Secret stashes
Abandoned vehicles
The outskirts of the map
Q: What are some tips for surviving on Reserve?
A: Here are some tips for surviving on Reserve:
Know your surroundings
Choose your engagements wisely
Use cover effectively
Be mindful of your noise
Work as a team
Q: What are the recent developments on Reserve?
A: The Reserve map has undergone several updates and balance changes in recent years. These changes have impacted the gameplay experience, and the community continues to discuss and debate the merits of the latest updates.
Q: Is Reserve a difficult map?
A: Reserve is considered to be a challenging map, especially for new players. However, with practice and experience, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.