Ground Zero is Tarkov's dedicated starter map. BSG made a rare concession to new-player accessibility with a 20-level cap — you can only play here under level 20, which means every PMC you face is also a beginner. Quest density is high, distances short, and audio/visual cues easier to read than on larger maps. This is where every 2026 wipe starts.
The Map
Ground Zero is a compact urban area: a few city blocks of high-rise offices, warehouses, a restaurant complex, construction sites, and a collapsed street corridor. The level 20 cap applies to PMCs only — scavs can run Ground Zero at any level.
The Boss (Conditional)
Ground Zero originally had no boss. With the 0.16–0.18 updates, Partisan may spawn on the level-20-plus server variant of Ground Zero when higher-level PMCs have access. He behaves the same as on Streets — ambush-focused, sniper kit, solo patrol.
Extracts
Cheat Advantages
Related Maps
Starter Edge
Ground Zero is level-capped so you're fighting only fellow beginners — but a quality edge still accelerates every raid. Radar + ESP turns the first 20 levels into a progression sprint rather than a struggle.