October 29, 2026 — Battlestate Games announces the launch of a major in-game Halloween event in Escape from Tarkov. A dangerous virus has broken out across Tarkov, triggering a mass outbreak of the aggressive infected. Meanwhile, Escape from Tarkov: Arena introduces a themed slasher mode in which players must fight wearing masks inspired by classic horror movie killers, relying exclusively on melee weapons.
Halloween in Tarkov
The outbreak's epicenters are two locations — The Infected Lab and Infected Factory — featured in a separate map selection tab, where the event's main activities take place.
- Choices: A new questline challenges players to coordinate their efforts. They can either help enforce the quarantine in standard locations with moderate risk or venture directly into isolated outbreak zones teeming with infected to search for vaccine components.
- New Locations: Special infected versions of The Lab and The Old Factory are now available, both completely overrun by the epidemic. These locations are accessible only to small groups of players, and insurance is disabled.
- Dangerous Enemies: Fast, slow, and ranged infected have received more distinctive behaviors and rebalanced combat mechanics, including surprise attacks. Infected Tagilla, wielding his scythe, returns to raids, while infected Black Division operatives have also appeared. Night raids are more dangerous due to increased Cultist activity.
- Themed Rewards: By completing story questlines and eliminating the infected, players can earn commemorative achievements and rewards, including an exclusive event poster and valuable in-game resources.
CheckPoint: Bloodlust in EFT: Arena
The Halloween festivities have reached Escape from Tarkov: Arena! A themed mode inspired by classic slasher films is now available.
- Bloodlust: Team-based 5v5 battles based on the CheckPoint mode, with firearms completely disabled. Players enter the arena wearing masks inspired by iconic horror movie killers and must rely exclusively on melee weapons.
- Rewards: Double XP for matches and kills, a 1.5x Battle Pass progression bonus, cash prizes, and the “Mask Off” achievement for completing a special questline.