PvE progression wiki

Progression Ladder

Work the ladder from starter loot to late-game runs. Each step shows the recommended requirements, where to loot, and what unlocks the next tier.

Step 1

Starter Gear Capable

No item requirements.

Loot locations
  • Hospitals: Medic Metal Kit, no key, 56 positions / 15 active
  • Village Pubs: Pizza Box, no key, 66 positions / 30 active
  • Fastfood Stand: Bomb safes
  • Trains, helicopters, and police crashes
Progression

USB makes Silver Coin for city key set. PunchedCard progression begins.

Side Quest

Check the starter quest board, trains, helicopter crashes, and early no-key loot while you build your first kit.

Step 2

Tools and First Progression

Weapon recommended, or hand tools required for certain loot.

Loot locations
  • AirDrops: Tier 1 basebuilding / Tier 2 medical
  • Photos: requires shovel or pick
  • Picklock safes: grocery stand, requires lockpick and screwdriver
  • Drug trader: vanilla weapon and PunchedCard required
  • Collectables: Tier 1, no vehicle zone, AI present, vanilla weapon and multiple mags suggested
Progression

USB to Silver Coin, city key set, small keys, and PunchedCard. Small keys cover Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Orange, Red, Violet, White, and Yellow.

Side Quest

Run Tier 1 basebuilding Airdrops, Tier 2 medical Airdrops, photos, picklock safes, and Yellow DNA safestores while collecting small keys.

Step 3

City Keys and Small Key Crates

City keys, crowbar, sledgehammer, Ink_Lockpick, and a vanilla weapon. Loot resets every 30 minutes.

Loot locations
  • Police Station Crates: Little Black Key, 40 positions / 20 active, chance for PKP, M249, and AS50
  • Village Store: Little Red Key, 29 positions / 29 active
  • Pavlovo Military: Little Blue Key, 21 positions / 11 active
  • SW NWAF: Little Green Key, 45 positions / 15 active
  • Chernaya Polyana: Little Grey Key, 26 positions / 6 active
  • Gorka: Little Orange Key, 45 positions / 8 active
  • Tisy: Little Violet Key, 40 positions / 10 active
  • Kamyshovo: Little White Key, 48 positions / 15 active
  • Stary Sobor: Little Yellow Key, 50 positions / 10 active
Progression

PunchedCards, Large Black/Blue/Green keys, Yellow/Green/Blue/Purple/Red DNA keycards, and InkCoin.

Side Quest

Keep checking Green DNA safestores and active city-key crates between main runs. This is a good time to farm extra InkCoin, PunchedCards, and backup DNA keycards.

Step 4

First Bunkers

Weapon, multiple mags, PunchedCard, and/or bunker keys required. Green Mountain requires NVGs and uses the Large Black Key. Tulga does not require NVGs.

Loot locations
  • Green Mountain Bunker: Tier 3, NVG required, Large Black Key, 2 unlocked lootcrates, 6 player cap
  • Koslova Bunker: Tier 2, NVG required, Punched Card door, two lootcrates, one Large Blue Key required per crate, 30 minute crate reset
  • Tulga Bunker: Tier 2, NVG not required, Punched Card door, two lootcrates, one Large Green Key required per crate, 30 minute crate reset
Progression

Large Violet Key and Lobotomy USB.

Side Quest

Run Blue DNA safestores and extra bunker resets between Green Mountain, Koslova, and Tulga attempts to stockpile keys and late-game setup items.

Step 5

Tisy Front

Tier 4. Punched Card opens the front door. NBC is required for the Large Crate, which requires a Large Violet Key. Upgraded BallerZ or INK weapons are suggested.

Loot locations
  • Tisy Front: Tier 4, Punched Card door, NBC Large Crate requires Large Violet Key
Progression

Large White Key, InkCoin, Ink Badger chance, USB chances: Yellow and Black, Grey and Black, White and Black, and T11 Gold Filament chance.

Side Quest

Run Tier 3-4 Airdrops, Personal Flares Tier 1-2, and DNA Safestores Purple to Red alongside Tisy Front. These help feed extra InkCoin, USB chances, and late-game materials while you work toward Tisy Back.

Step 6

Krona Castle

Tier 5. NBC, Punched Card teleport, and Large White Key required. Upgraded BallerZ or INK weapons are suggested. NVG is not required.

Loot locations
  • Krona Castle: Tier 5, Ink Mobs, AI and automated turrets present
  • Stash Barrel: Large White Key, multiple locations, 30 minute reset
  • Personal Flares Tier 3-4
Progression

Large Yellow Key, InkCoin, Ink Scar chance, USB chances: Yellow and Black, Grey and Black, White and Black, and T11 Gold Filament chance.

Side Quest

Keep running Personal Flares Tier 3-4, White/Grey/Yellow USB chances, and late DNA safestores while farming Krona Castle.

Step 7

Tisy Back Loot

Tier 6. NBC, NVG, Orange DNA Keycard, Large Yellow Key, and upgraded BallerZ or INK weapons required.

Loot locations
  • Tisy Back: Tier 6, one Orange DNA Keycard required for access per group, Small Crate requires Large Yellow Key
Progression

InkCoin, T4 Flare chance, USB rewards: Yellow and Black chance, Grey and Black chance, two White and Black USBs, and T11 Gold Filament chance.

Side Quest

Use T4 Flare chances, high-tier USB farming, and repeat DNA safestore routes to keep feeding end-game materials after Tisy Back opens up.