Escape from Tarkov – Which Factions to Choose

What's different between the two?
Escape from tarkov title cover
Image via Battlestate Games

Escape from Tarkov gets you two factions to choose from. On top of that there are sub-factions, which are factions within the faction you choose. They offer a handful of differences in your weaponry, the people you interact with, your base, and the missions you can do.

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Which Faction to Join in Escape from Tarkov

The choices between factions are the BEAR and the USEC. The both give you a backpack with some starter weapons like a knife, pistol, and assault rifles. They are different models however, so find the ones that you like best.

BEAR/USEC Weapons
  • Alcohol: Tarkovskaya Vodka/ Dan Jackiel Whiskey
  • Armored Rig: ANA Tactical M1/ Crye Precision AVS
  • Armor: 6B13 Assault/ Highcom Trooper
  • Assault Rifle: AK-74M/ Colt M4A1
  • Grenade: F-1/ M67
  • Headset: Gssh-01/ Walker’s Razor
  • Helmet: Ratnik-BSh/ UNTAR
  • Knife: 6h5 Bayonet/ ER Fulcrum Bayonet
  • Pistol: MP-443 Grach/ M9A3
  • Submachine Gun: PP-19 /MP5
Other Differences

Depending on what you like in terms of weaponry, you may lean one faction over the other. Another is the potential skills that you can get depending on your faction. These are still in development but will offer greater differences. This includes AK Systems for the BEARs and Deep Weapon Modding for USEC.

For now, there isn’t much difference between the two factions. Depending on who you choose, you’ll have different customization options and the BEARs speak in Russian while USEC speak in English. You also get a minute difference in objectives. For example, a quest may have you kill 20 USEC members if you’re a BEAR or vice-versa if you’re USEC. You can pick the faction you like most without missing out on too much of a difference outside your weaponry.

Related: Escape from Tarkov Road Closed Guide


If you need more Tarkov guides, like Extraction Points in the Woods, stay tuned to Gamerjournalist. You can also check out the Facebook page.

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