With the 0.15 wipe, we got the first iteration of map-to-map travel. Having some sort of open-world travel was always part of BSG’s vision for the game, and now we finally have something remotely similar. For now, the travel functionality is limited to the “Marathon” mode (PvP only). If you switch to Marathon, you will always start on Ground Zero. From there, your path leads to Streets, where you can decide if you go to Labs or Interchange, and so on.

You need to know a few things about this type of travel. Firstly, the transition areas are unlocked 7 minutes into the raid. In other words, you have to spend some time on each map, which means you need enough food and water for your adventures. Secondly, you can’t pick the time for Marathon, so be prepared for nighttime conditions. Thirdly, you are probably not alone in seeking out the transit zones, and exfil campers still exist despite being Partisan… Especially Ground Zero might turn into a death trap because of all the sniping/camping spots around Mira Ave.

New Tasks Require Map-to-Map Travel

Regarding the transit mechanics, just make sure to be at the right location and an “Interact” notification will appear in the center of your screen. Press “F” (or whatever your interaction key is set to), and you can transfer items back to your stash before leaving the map. FIR items will keep their status, so you can use this option to “save” quest-related findings, such as flash drives or gas analyzers. Remember to bring enough money if you want to use this service. When you are done, hit “deliver,” and a 30-second transition countdown will begin.

We also have new, Marathon-related tasks with exceptional rewards. For instance, traveling from Ground Zero to Labs and visiting 3 PoIs will net you an injector case, a med case, and tons of XP. The longest task is called “Marathon” and requires you to visit all maps without dying. Sounds a lot like “The Guide,” but believe me, it’s way more difficult because you can’t return to the hideout to restock ammo, meds, and provision.

So, what do we think about this new feature? Initially, I was skeptical about this type of raiding because such adventures require more time (and more preparation). However, after a few attempts, my current stance is that such an experience is definitely very immersive and adds more complexity and challenge to the game. You need to search for food, ammo, heal, plan your path, etc. Everything feels more realistic and more spicy. However, I still think this mode/feature is not something newcomers would enjoy, as such raids require a lot of spare gaming time and immunity to Tarkov-typical frustration moments.

Deactivation of the Marathon Mode in 0.15.2

With the announced 0.15.2 update, Battlestate Games will deactivate the separate “Marathon” mode and make map-to-map travel available in regular raids (which hopefully means PvE, too). Regarding Marathon-specific quests, the official statement is as follows: “A number of quests from the chain will also remain available for completion.” In other words, don’t worry if you haven’t completed all of those quests yet!