10 Escape From Duckov Tips That'll Stop You From Crying
Escape from Duckov is going to kick your ass. Don't let the big-eyed, customizable duck fool you; this game is a meat grinder from the moment you step into the wasteland. The first tutorial alone felt like a fight for my life, with grunts capable of taking me down in just two hits.
Developed by Team Soda, this single-player top-down looter-shooter is an unapologetically tough-as-nails survival game inspired by the notoriously hardcore Escape from Tarkov. I’ve already lost more gear than I’d care to admit, so here are 10 tips I wish I’d known before my first disastrous run.
How to Survive the Duckpocalypse
I've died more times than I can count to bring you this wisdom. Don't let my sacrifices be in vain. Here's what you absolutely need to know before your next run.
1. For the Love of God, Talk to Jeff
When you first arrive at your base, your immediate priority should be finding the white duck NPC named Jeff. Talk to him. Exhaust his dialogue. He gives you critical quests that walk you through the game's basic systems like storage, upgrades, and the vending machine.
2. Embrace Your Inner Vulture
Money is incredibly tight in the early game, so buying gear isn't really an option. Your best bet is to scavenge everything that isn’t nailed down. This turns inventory management into a painful but necessary minigame, but hoarding resources is key to getting your base and your character upgraded.
3. A Bigger Backpack Is a Lifesaver
Your starting backpack is laughably small. Upgrading to a bigger one should be one of your first goals, as it lets you carry more life-saving items and valuable loot back to your base. Just remember that weight is still a factor, so don't get too greedy.
4. Always Carry the Right Tools
You can't just brute-force your way through this world. Certain areas and containers are locked off unless you have the right tool for the job. Always try to carry a shovel for digging up hidden spots, a crowbar for prying open locked crates, and any keys you find.
5. Let Your Enemies Do the Dirty Work
You’ll often hear gunfire in the distance. This is a great sign. It means enemy factions are fighting each other, saving you the trouble. You can either avoid the area entirely or wait for the shooting to stop and then move in to loot the corpses. Work smarter, not harder.
6. Don't Be a Hero, Be a Sneak
Running into a camp full of enemies with miniguns is a suicide mission. Use the environment to your advantage. Sneak behind sandbags and other cover to get the drop on your opponents and take them out quietly before they can shred you to pieces.
7. The Night Is Not Your Friend
Heading out to explore after dark might seem like a good idea, but it’s not. The night brings out much tougher enemies and even greater dangers. Unless you’re armed to the beak with your best gear, just stay home and wait for sunrise.
8. Death Is a Bitch (And It Takes Your Stuff)
The game doesn't exactly scream this at you, but when you die, you lose the loot you're carrying. Permanently. I saw one player on the forums who deleted their whole save file in a fit of rage after losing their best gear. Don’t be that person. The risk of losing everything is the core of the game.
9. Use Your Dog as a Stash
There is one saving grace when it comes to death: your dog. That little guy following you around isn't just for looks. You can store items in the dog's bag, and anything inside will be safe even if you die. Use it to protect your most valuable gear before heading into a risky area.
10. Don't Sweat the Difficulty for Trophies
If you’re an achievement hunter, you can relax a bit. As far as I can tell, there are no achievements tied to playing on a specific difficulty level. However, be warned that playing on a custom difficulty setting will disable achievements entirely, so keep that in mind if you're going for 100% completion. For a full list, check out this 100% Achievement Guide.