Escape From Tarkov Update 0.16.1.3: AI Overhaul and Performance Boosts
The highly anticipated patch 0.16.1.3 for Escape From Tarkov has been released, bringing with it major changes to the game’s artificial intelligence, which should address many player complaints. This patch also includes performance improvements and new settings.
This update, which went live at approximately 8am ET / 6am PT, is smaller than usual, but players should expect substantial changes to the AI that will impact gameplay across all modes.
AI Behavior Adjustments
The update includes a series of changes designed to make AI behavior more realistic and less frustrating. A key change is the way AI detects and loses sight of players. Previously, AI enemies, commonly known as scavs, would often instantly detect players, potentially even through walls, based on sound or other immediate triggers. This has been adjusted. Now, the AI’s reaction is influenced by a range of variables, including:
- Weather conditions
- Distance
- Angle of view
- The impact of vegetation and cover
These factors will determine how quickly AI becomes suspicious or loses interest.
Further refinements include:
- Adjustments to AI difficulty
- Suppressing fire has been removed from basic scavs, reserved for tougher units like raiders and bosses
- Sniper scavs will no longer take cross-map shots, instead seeking cover and gathering information, reducing those frustrating, unexpected headshots.
The full Escape From Tarkov patch notes are available for those who want to delve into all changes, including a fix that will reduce the sometimes overwhelming amount of scav spawns.
Additional Changes
In addition to AI improvements, the patch introduces the spring season, removing the snow and adding a sunnier environment. Performance improvements in the form of new DLSS settings are now available, and a long list of bug fixes continues the developers’ plan for Escape From Tarkov’s increased stability.
