What is included in Tarkov Patch 1.0.4.9?

Tarkov Patch 1.0.4.9 adds new edition XP bonuses, a 20% The Unheard Edition group XP bonus, expanded clothing customization for The Unheard Edition, and makes the new bonuses available to existing upgraded edition owners.

What XP bonuses do Tarkov editions get in Patch 1.0.4.9?

Left Behind Edition receives a 7% XP bonus, Prepare for Escape Edition receives a 9% XP bonus, Edge of Darkness Limited Edition receives a 12% XP bonus, and The Unheard Edition receives a 20% XP bonus that applies to all group members.

Does The Unheard Edition XP bonus stack in Tarkov?

No. The Unheard Edition group XP bonus does not stack with itself or with other edition bonuses. If a group has The Unheard Edition bonus active, group members receive 20% more XP.

What clothing change did The Unheard Edition get?

The Unheard Edition now allows owners to use tactical clothing regardless of faction, including BattlePass clothing and Tactical Maps clothing from EFT: Arena.

Where can I read the full Tarkov patch notes?

You can read the full official Escape from Tarkov patch notes on the official Escape from Tarkov news page.

Tarkov Patch Notes

A clean breakdown of Escape from Tarkov Patch 1.0.5.0, covering the Icebreaker event, Boreas story chapter, task item assistance, performance fixes, and new customization sets.

Patch 1.0.5.0May 25, 2026Icebreaker Event + Boreas Story

View Full Patch Notes

Patch 1.0.5.0 Highlights

This update is centered around the Icebreaker event, a new PvE-focused story chapter, task improvements, and performance fixes.

Icebreaker Event

Patch 1.0.5.0 introduces the Icebreaker in-game event, sending players to investigate the Paradigm Shipping icebreaker trapped inside Tarkov's blockade ring.

Boreas Story Chapter

A new story chapter called Boreas focuses on exploration and PvE gameplay, with answers to uncover and loot to earn along the way.

Separate PvE Location

Icebreaker is a separate location for 1-3 players. You can enter solo or with a group, and you will not be matched with random players there.

Task Item Assistance

A new task item helper expands the directional indicator when you approach the spawn location of an in-raid item required for a task.

Icebreaker Event & Boreas Story Chapter

The new event sends players into a separate PvE-focused location tied to the trapped Paradigm Shipping icebreaker.

A separate 1-3 player PvE location

Icebreaker is available in all game modes and can be entered solo or with a small group. The location focuses on AI enemies, exploration, story progression, and loot, without matchmaking you with random players.

Player Count

1-3 players

Matchmaking

No random players

Gameplay Focus

Exploration and PvE

Story Chapter

Boreas

Gameplay & System Changes

Patch 1.0.5.0 also adds useful task assistance, extraction notifications, a new graphics option, and a balance change to Obdolbos 1.

Task Item Direction Indicator

Players now get stronger directional help when approaching the spawn area of required task items, making certain task objectives easier to locate.

Signal Flare Extraction Notifications

Additional notifications were added when interacting with signal flare extractions, which should make those extraction moments clearer.

Experimental Light Source Setting

A new experimental graphics option shifts the load of certain light sources from the CPU to the GPU. This is aimed at higher-end graphics cards.

Obdolbos 1 Risk Increased

The chance of death after injecting Obdolbos 1 has been increased to 33%, making the stim much riskier to use.

Personalization

The patch also adds new faction customization sets available through the official Escape from Tarkov website.

USEC Gen 4 Set

A new USEC Gen 4 customization set was added and is available for purchase on the official Escape from Tarkov website.

BEAR Slavianka Set

A new BEAR Slavianka customization set was also added for players who want more faction clothing options.

Performance, Bug Fixes & Stability

This update includes several fixes aimed at improving performance, reducing bugs, and cleaning up issues across locations, inventory, healing, and the Hideout.

Fixed a cause of memory leaks related to the audio system in certain cases.

Optimized the animation system to reduce CPU usage.

Fixed an issue where the limb selection interface for healing could disappear.

Fixed visual artifacts when using x2 and x4 resampling while interacting with Traders and the Hideout.

Fixed error 228 when removing an expiring water filter from the Hideout Water Collector.

Fixed several geometry and collider visual issues across locations.

Fixed severe client performance drops when dragging ammo over a full magazine in the search window.

Fixed Saiga-12K 12ga automatic shotgun Redline kills not counting for Silent Caliber and Punisher p.4.

Fixed incorrect compass behavior after exiting the BTR.

Added a number of minor fixes to various aspects of the game.

CPU Usage Improvements

Animation system optimization and the new experimental lighting setting should help reduce CPU pressure in some situations.

Important Bug Fixes

The patch fixes issues with healing UI, Hideout errors, compass behavior after BTR exits, visual artifacts, and specific task progression problems.

Streamer Items Added

Several new streamer items were added, giving players more unique collectibles to find while playing.

Patch 1.0.5.0 Takeaway

Patch 1.0.5.0 is a strong event-focused update. The main addition is Icebreaker, a separate 1-3 player PvE location tied to the Boreas story chapter. Outside of the event, the patch adds task item assistance, clearer flare extraction notifications, an experimental graphics option, new customization sets, streamer items, and a wide range of performance and bug fixes.