How to Get a Compass in Escape From Tarkov

A compass may be extremely useful in communication with your peers in Escape from Tarkov. If you’re annoyed by explaining a location by the look of the landscape, read on to find out how to get a compass in the game.

In this guide, we’ll provide instructions on finding and using a compass in Escape from Tarkov. Additionally, we’ll explain how to get the game, where to find the red keycards and extraction points, and share tips on learning maps in the game.

How to Get a Compass in Escape From Tarkov?

There are two ways to get a compass in Escape from Tarkov. Firstly, you can buy one from Jaeger:

1. Reach level 10 in the game to unlock Mechanic’s quests.
   
2. Once you get access to Mechanic’s quests, undertake the “Gunsmith Part 1” quest. You will have to find three Elite Pliers, exchange them for a shotgun from the Mechanic, and customize the weapon on Mechanic’s request.
   
3. Complete the next quest – “Introduction.” You have to find a note located in the woods, under a wooden construction near a fallen plane. Bring the note to the Mechanic, and you will unlock the Jaeger.
   
4. From the menu, visit Jaeger’s store and click the “S” icon to the right from the item list to view special items.
   
   
5. Purchase the compass.
   

However, if you don’t want to spend 200,000 Roubles on a compass from Jaeger, you can get it for free after completing a quest for Prapor:

1. Complete the “Debut” quest, where you will meet Prapor for the first time. You have to kill five scavs at Customs and bring Prapor two MP-133 shotguns.
   
2. Complete the next quest – “Search mission.” You have to reach at least level 5 to start it. Help Prapor to find his missing convoy and the USEC camp.
   
3. For your help, Prapor will give you an EYE MK2 compass, as well as 22,000 Roubles.
   

How to Use Compass in Escape From Tarkov?

Once you get used to it, reading a compass in Escape from Tarkov is quite simple, especially if you know how to read it in real life. Read the guide below to find out how to use the compass:

1. To bring up the compass, press the “U” button on your keyboard.
   
2. At the right bottom corner of your screen, you will see the compass degrees, numbered from zero to 360.
   
3. When the compass degrees are at zero, you’re heading North. If they’re at 90, you’re moving in East, 180 – South, and 270 – West.
   
4. The compass works the same for all players, so you can share your position with friends.
5. You can’t shoot while holding a compass. If you hit the shooting button, your gun will fire, but you’ll have to bring up the compass again.
   
6. You can walk with a compass, but you can’t run with it.
   

Note: A compass can’t be looted from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read this section to find out everything you need to know about purchasing and playing Escape from Tarkov.

Where Can I Buy Escape From Tarkov?

Escape from Tarkov can’t be purchased through Steam or a retail game store. You have to buy it through the official website. Click “Pre-order” and select which edition of the game you prefer.

The basic package starts at $39.99. However, to run the game, you need to get the Battlestate Games Launcher, which only becomes available for installation after you purchase the game. Follow the instructions from the website to pay for the pre-order.

Log into the game’s website with the details provided after the purchase and click your profile image. Now, you can download the launcher. Install it, log in, and download the game from there.

How to Get a Red Keycard in Escape From Tarkov?

The red keycard can help you gain access to special weapons and items on the Lab map – no wonder a lot of players would like to get one! However, the keycard is located on the Shoreline map.

Bear in mind that the red keycard is a rare spawn, so you may have to run around the map for a while until you find it. Make sure that you get West Ring 218, 221, 222, 110, or 112 keys before trying to get to the red card spawn points.

They are mainly located around and inside the resort complex – for example, in rooms 110, 112, 218, 221, and 222 (that’s what you need the keys for). The red keycard can also spawn at the gas station, hayfield, top of the weather station, and other locations.

How Do I Learn Escape From Tarkov Maps?

The answer is quite obvious – you have to practice to learn the maps. Luckily, memorizing the location of every object isn’t necessary. You can purchase a map of any location from the Therapist merchant before the start of the match. Optionally, you can look up the maps on Google.

If playing with more experienced gamers stresses you out, train in the offline mode for a while until you get comfortable in the maps. After you know the location of specific objects on the maps, a compass may be of great help to navigate.

Where Can I Find Extraction Points in Escape From Tarkov?

The main objective of the game is to escape the map so you have to find the extraction points. Of course, their location is different on every map. You can purchase a map of every location from the Therapist’s store before the start of the raid. These maps can be used both before and during the game – to have a look at it, press the “O” key.

To the right to the name of an extraction point, you’ll see either question marks or a blank space. The blank space means you don’t have to complete any actions to use the point. Question marks, on the other hand, indicate that you have to meet specific conditions – most often, you’ll need to either find some item on the map or have enough money.

At Customs, the extraction points are quite close to each other. You can find them at warehouses, crossroads, trailer park, railroad, old gas station… There are plenty of them, so finding one shouldn’t be difficult. The Woods are larger, so searching for an extraction point may take more time.

At the Factory, there are only two extraction points, both located at gates. Next to one of them, you can also find the Factory exit key. You can escape the Shoreline map from the pier, tunnel, rock passage, or CCP temp. The road to Customs can be used by both PMCs and SCAVs.

How Do You Unlock the Jaeger in Escape From Tarkov?

To unlock the Jaeger and get access to his store, you have to complete two quests for the Mechanic. The first one is the “Gunsmith Part 1” quest. Here, you need to get three Elite Pliers – they can be found in dead scavs, sports bags, toolboxes, technical supply crates, ground hatches, or buried barrel caches.

Trade them for an MP-133 shotgun from the Mechanic and modify the weapon by his specifications. After completion of the mission, you’ll get 20,000 Roubles, 6,500 EXP, a Glock 17 gun, and unlock the Jaeger.

Can You Get a Compass in Escape From Tarkov?

Yes, there are two ways you can get a compass in the game, either for free by helping the Prapor or by buying it from the Jaeger. To receive it from the Prapor, you have to complete two quests – “Debut” and “Search mission.”

Make sure that you have reached at least level 5 in the game before starting them, though. Eliminate five scavs at Customs and bring the Prapor two MP-133 shotguns. Then, help him to find his missing convoy and the location of the USEC camp.

For your help, Prapor will give you a compass and some money. If for some reason you missed Prapor quests or don’t want to spend time on them, you can unlock the Jaeger’s store by completing the “Gunsmith Part 1” Mechanic’s quest.

Can You Get Escape From Tarkov on Steam?

The short answer is no. Escape from Tarkov isn’t available from any services such as Steam or Epic Games Store. It can only be downloaded from the game’s official website. Even though downloading the game may cause a headache, in the end, it’s surely worth it.

Learn to Navigate

Hopefully, with the help of a compass, your communication with teammates and performance will improve significantly. Once you get used to navigating with the compass and maps purchased from the Therapist, you can get to the extraction points in less time, beating your enemies to the punch. Remember that if your peers aren’t around, you can still practice in the offline mode – this way, you will memorize the locations better.

What’s your favorite map in Escape from Tarkov? Share your opinions in the comments section below.