Tarkov gets a new patch tomorrow.

Credit: Battlestate Games / Mike Stubbs

A major new Escape From Tarkov patch is due to launch tomorrow, April 20, with multiple hours of downtime expected as it is installed.

Escape From Tarkov patch 1.0.4.5 will launch tomorrow, April 20, and installation of the patch will begin at 8:00 AM BST / 3:00 AM EDT. There will be between four and six hours of downtime, meaning the Tarkov servers will be down while this takes place and you will not be able to play the game. However, as always, this downtime could be extended if the development team runs into issues during the installation.

There are currently no confirmed changes coming with the patch, with the full patch notes expected to arrive when the installation process starts tomorrow morning. However, in recent days, game director Nikita Buyanov has been teasing a number of new loot items for Tarkov, some of which seem to be new streamer items to collect. Given the timing of his posts with the new item teases and the launch of the patch, it would not be at all surprising to see these new items launch tomorrow.

Given that the Casus Belli event only launched the other week any major changes or new content seem somewhat unlikely to arrive, especially given this is a .5 patch rather than a fully numbered update.

Adding even more weight behind that theory is the fact that patch 0.5.0.0 for Escape From Tarkov Arena is due to arrive at roughly the same time. Installation for this patch will start at 6:00 AM BST / 1:00 AM EDT, and is expected to finish at the same time as the main Tarkov game’s patch.

We know that the Arena update is bringing a new map in the form of Factory, specifically designed for the Arena game, and a new season of content including a battle pass and new cosmetics. Given the cross over between the two games, and the theme of the recent Tarkov event being focused on the exclusive Arena gear, it would not be a surprise if some of the new cosmetic items could be transferred over to the main game.

This seems to be a major update for Arena, which continues to improve with each patch. While many Escape From Tarkov players bounced off the faster paced arena shooter when it launched, it finally seems to have really hit its stride and is certainly worth going back to if you get the chance.