Tarkov’s Flea Market has Changed Forever

(Intro)

One of the most impactful changes to the flea market has come unexpectedly in the newest wipe, patch 0.16. It’s something BSG mentioned in passing during their October livestream but we didn’t have any context or clues as to how things were going to change. And now with the patch notes out and wipe dropped the day after Christmas, we know what they meant. This change alongside another one which we will talk about in a separate video, have very long lasting implications should these changes stand right now and stay for the duration of this and future wipe cycles. So let’s talk about the single biggest change that every play of every skill level will feel and have to adjust to.

(Flea market is locked for two weeks)

Simply put, if I am reading this change in the notes correctly, the flea market at the start of this wipe will be locked off to all players for two weeks following the release of patch 0.16. Which means no one can use the flea market until January 9th of 2025. The exact wording of the change in the notes is quote: “Listing offers on the PvP flea market will be available two weeks after the end of the patch 0.16 installation”. Now the only part that confuses me slightly is the latter half of that quote. After the end of the patch installation. So my guess is that once the patch goes live and people can start downloading it, that’s when the timer starts. Even still, this is a gigantic shake up to how we normally operate. No flea market for two full weeks. I had to read it multiple times to make sure I understood correctly. It’s honestly something I didn’t ever expect BSG to try. The entire game has been built around the flea market so we always knew it was never going to get removed. But this…. Well, it’s kind of the next best thing.

(Calm down calm down; hear me out)

Before you freak out at the change and wonder what’s gonna happen, let’s actually talk about this change a little bit. I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but the flea market being so impactful in the early game always soured the experience a little bit. Level fifteen isn’t too difficult to get to depending on your luck with some of the early game quests like all the Ground Zero tasks. Play your cards right and you can be there realistically or two to three days. And then you just have full access to the market; buying and selling as you please. Before arena was introduced, it was the most efficient way to earn money. Sell people what they need in the early game that don’t require found in raid status and watch the rubles roll in. But now? We all need to wait two weeks before we can even engage with this mechanic. So ultimately what is this going to do? Extend the life of the early game. You know, the only time in the game where most players are on an even playing field. Even with the change last wipe of not needing items to have found in raid for them to be eligible for the flea market, this is a nice counter balance to that change. I am of the mindset that the flea market should augment our ability to trade and deal with other players, but not be the de-facto way to make our money. It’s always been ludicrous just how much money you can actually make through the flea. And before, it was always a mad dash to get to level fifteen. Cause at that point Pandora’s box opens up and all the items you’ve been saving your junk box you can now liquidate for money. But now, we’ll have to wait two weeks before even seeing a single offer. Which is going to dramatically change how people interact with the flea and what items hold value. There’s another change that is also going to impact how people use the flea but that’ll get its own video as well cause it’s just as substantial if not more so than this is. But in general, I like this change. The flea market has always been such a massive power spike for those that get it first. And while BSG has been reigning in what’s available on the flea in different ways, whether it’s banning high penetration ammo, allowing armors but excluding the strongest plates of protection, or keeping some of the better weapons off the market, the flea has changed so many times over the years that this is simply another iteration of the same formula. It’s only two weeks. Speaking only for myself it usually takes me five to seven days to hit level fifteen. So if you think about it that way, that’s really only a week without the flea. This change could’ve been so much worse. We got off kind of easy. But I am excited to see what happens now that no one regardless of level can use the flea for fourteen days.

(In the meantime)

While we wait for the countdown to finish and the floodgates to open once more, the purpose of the flea market is something that should be discussed because it’s changed so much. When it was first introduced it was this weird and wacky mechanic where anyone could say anything to anyone. So, naturally, within the first couple days of it existing, people broke it. Which is to be expected, but over the years BSG has been trying to find a healthy balance for what the flea market should execute on as well as making sure it’s both engaging to use but doesn’t just print money and turn the game into easy mode. And it feels like this wipes version of it might be the best iteration. It’s too early to tell because we still don’t have it, but no access for two weeks plus some other changes made alongside this wipe, it’s going to be very interesting what the market looks like a month or two months into this wipe. We don’t know how long this cycle will be but I’d imagine at least six months if not more. What people want or need is going to change, while I don’t expect any significant habits changing for the mid and late game of Tarkov, the early game where everything is the most volatile is absolutely going to be shaken up. Even if this is just to test some things, and the market reverts back to what it was previously with the next wipe, whenever that will be, it’s still going to be really interesting to see the discourse on the market and what people think after the two week embargo is over and we get access to it. Again generally I’m of the mindset that the less we need to use the flea market to function properly in the game, the better. It’s cool but the reliance on it by the community at large has only served to reduce the value of items in the game. And what I mean is the idea of scarcity and how we’ve kind of lost that somewhat. Because the flea market and one good scavenger run can turn your financial circumstances in Tarkov around. We should have to feel the sting of loss more. The feeling of having almost no money on you and making really tough choices hasn’t been apparent ever since the flea was added. Having the market locked off for two weeks bring us one step closer to that original Tarkov experience from years gone, if only temporarily. And I’m quite fine with that.

(Outro)

This removal of everyone’s access to the flea market for two weeks is huge. I can’t emphasize that point anymore. This is something we’ve come to rely on; whether you’re a buyer or seller, we all use market for one reason or another. And not allowing anyone to for fourteen days is an interesting change that I think in the long run will serve to benefit the early game and make it feel better to jump into a Tarkov wipe even if you’re a week or so late to it. This is something we will most likely return to a month or two into this wipe because the conversations are going to be all over the place at the beginning, which makes sense. While my initial reaction was to kind of winch at that specific change, after thinking about it for a little while, it’s a good thing. We need a temporary stop to the flea market shenanigans. And this is exactly what that will don thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to watch this video. Let me know in the comment section down below your thoughts on this change because I am really interested to hear what you think. Whether it’s good or bad, you like it or don’t, let me know and be sure to subscribe for more videos about the new Tarkov patch and wipe that was dropped on us at the end of the year. I hope to see you on future ones.