Who are the traders in Tarkov?
Traders are the NPC vendors in your menu. Each one buys loot, sells gear and gives you tasks, and each specialises:
- Prapor deals in weapons, ammunition and grenades, and gives many of the first combat tasks.
- Therapist sells medical supplies and buys a wide range of loot at fair prices.
- Skier trades in weapons, attachments and less legitimate goods.
- Peacekeeper sells Western weapons and gear, and pays in dollars.
- Mechanic specialises in weapon parts and modifications.
- Ragman sells clothing, armour, rigs and bags.
- Jaeger is a hunter who sells hunting gear and survival supplies. He's locked at first: you unlock him through one of Mechanic's tasks.
- Fence buys almost anything and sells a rotating stock. He works differently from the others, with his own reputation system tied to how you play as a Scav.
- Ref, Lightkeeper and the BTR Driver come later, each reached through their own task chains, with their own stock and services.
How do loyalty levels work?
Every trader has loyalty levels, usually four. Higher levels unlock better items, better prices and new tasks. To reach a level you need to meet that trader's requirements, which are:
- Your PMC level. Higher loyalty levels need a higher character level.
- Reputation (standing) with that trader. You earn it mainly by completing their tasks.
- Not money spent. Older guides list a sales requirement, but patch 1.1.0.0 removed it. Only PMC level and reputation count now.
The trader's screen shows exactly what you're missing for the next level, so you never need to guess.
How do you gain reputation fast?
Reputation comes mostly from completing tasks. Working through one trader's line at a time, rather than dabbling in everyone's, gets you to useful loyalty levels faster.
A sensible order early in a wipe:
- Prapor and Therapist first. Their early tasks are simple, and their stock helps every raid.
- Then Skier and Mechanic. Their tasks open up more of the game, including Peacekeeper through Skier and Jaeger through Mechanic.
- Ragman when you need armour and bags. Better rigs and backpacks make raids more profitable.
Avoid tasks that make you fail others. A few tasks are mutually exclusive, so read the description before accepting.
How does Fence reputation work?
Fence is the exception. His reputation goes up and down with how you behave as a Scav: completing his tasks, using vehicle and co-op extracts and surviving Scav raids helps, and killing other Scavs while playing as one hurts. Low Fence reputation makes Scav raids harder, while high reputation improves your Scav runs.
Why do loyalty levels matter so much?
Because they decide what you can buy without the flea market. A high loyalty level with the right trader means reliable armour, ammunition and weapon parts at fixed prices, which is often cheaper and always more predictable than player listings. Our Tarkov flea market guide explains when the flea market is the better option.
Which tasks are worth doing early?
- Tasks that unlock other traders, because they open whole new task lines.
- Tasks that reward items you'd otherwise buy, especially armour and ammunition.
- Tasks on the maps you already know, so you make progress without learning a new map at the same time.
- Tasks that need found in raid items you already have. Hand them in before you're tempted to sell them.
Our Tarkov beginner's guide covers the first maps and loadouts.
Which mistakes slow trader progress?
- Spreading effort across every trader. Reputation builds faster on one line at a time.
- Selling quest items you'll need to hand in later.
- Accepting mutually exclusive tasks without reading them.
- Killing Scavs as a Scav, which drags down your Fence reputation.
- Ignoring the trader screen. It shows exactly what the next loyalty level needs.
When does help make sense?
Task lines are where many wipes stall: one awkward objective can block a whole chain, and with it a loyalty level. A quests boost completes a single blocking task or a whole chain in real raids, played by hand, with the rewards, reputation and loot staying on your account.
FAQ
How many loyalty levels do Tarkov traders have?
Most traders have four loyalty levels. Each one unlocks better items, better prices and new tasks.
How do you increase trader reputation in Tarkov?
Mostly by completing that trader's tasks. Working through one trader's line at a time is the fastest way.
How do you unlock Jaeger?
Jaeger is unlocked through one of Mechanic's tasks. Progress Mechanic's line and Jaeger's tasks and stock open up.
Why is my Fence reputation negative?
Usually from killing other Scavs while playing as a Scav. Completing Fence's tasks, vehicle and co-op extracts and surviving Scav raids raise it again.
Do I still need to spend money to raise loyalty levels?
No. Patch 1.1.0.0 (August 2026) removed the sales requirement. You need the PMC level and reputation shown on the trader screen.
