Patch 0.16.6.0 Today: Info and Patch Notes
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
As announced yesterday, this morning — April 29, 2025 — Battlestate Games rolled out a new Technical Update with Patch 0.16.6.0. This patch had already been teased by Nikita during the latest TarkovTV, when he unveiled BSG’s roadmap for the rest of 2025.
By comparing the roadmap to the patch notes, we can see that nearly all the planned features for Patch 0.16.6.0 have been delivered, with the exception of the “Shoreline audio improvements,” which are not mentioned in the patch notes.
As for the in-game event slated for May 2025 and originally expected to be included in this patch, it isn’t mentioned either — but it might still be included and activated later, once the time is right according to BSG's internal schedule.
Lighthouse
Among the changes, fixes, and improvements included in today’s Patch 0.16.6.0, one of the most important is without a doubt: “Optimized the performance in various areas on Lighthouse.”
Since its release back in December 2021, Lighthouse has consistently suffered from major performance issues caused by poor optimization — issues that can challenge even the most powerful CPUs. Players have been waiting over three years for a fix, so let’s hope this time the optimization is solid and truly makes a difference.
AI Behaviour Adjustments
The second most noteworthy aspect of Patch 0.16.6.0 is the overhaul and tweaking of AI behavior — aimed at making AI more balanced and preventing them from performing frustrating, unrealistic actions.
Most notably:“Readjusted the aiming mechanics of AI PMCs, Raiders, Rogues and regular bots to reduce the frequency of headshots in the following situations.”
While it’s always been plausible that bots, like players, can land lucky or precise headshots, the frequency with which this happens — especially under absurd conditions — has long been a sore point for players.
This patch specifically reduces headshot chances in scenarios such as:
At distances over 100 meters
While the AI is moving
Right after finishing a sprint
During power slides
When changing stances (e.g. standing to crouch/prone and vice versa)
Note: This adjustment does not apply to bosses, and Zryachiy is explicitly excluded from the 100-meter headshot reduction.
Additionally, Scavs (regular bots) now have a generally reduced chance to land headshots — regardless of the situation they’re in.
The patch notes also clarify: “At very close range the AI accuracy remains the same as before.”
So don’t let your guard down — bots are still dangerous up close.
AI Behaviour Adjustments For Quests
One of the most frustrating issues in recent months has been how AI behavior negatively impacted quest progression — with bots frequently wandering away from the specific zones where they needed to be killed.
According to the patch notes, this should now be addressed (or at least improved), with updated AI logic designed to reduce the chances of bots leaving their designated quest areas.
The affected quests include:
Safe Corridor (Reserve)
Pest Control (Reserve)
Long Road (Lighthouse)
Provocation (Interchange)
No Swiping (Shoreline)
Preemptive Strike (Shoreline, Customs, Woods)
Overpopulation (Lighthouse)
Rite of Passage (Customs)
Quality of Life Improvements
While not as crucial as optimization or AI reworks, QoL improvements play a huge role in making the game more enjoyable and less cumbersome — saving players valuable time and reducing friction with the game’s interface or mechanics.
The most important change here is to the map-to-map transit system.Previously, a single press of the interaction key (F by default) would initiate a map transition. Now, you’ll need to hold the key for a few seconds to activate it.
This seemingly minor change is quite impactful, as it prevents players from accidentally activating a transit, which would then disable normal extraction points and force them to use the transit system instead.
Other QoL improvements include several additions previously showcased by Nikita during TarkovTV, such as:
Being able to purchase all required items directly when selecting a crafting recipe in the Hideout
Highlighting expiring insurance items in the insurance screen
Also helpful:
Failed tasks are now restarted automatically
The sound for completed/failed tasks is now dimmed if the player earns an achievement at the same time
Fixes
There’s a major fix worth highlighting here:It looks like BSG has finally fixed the bug causing bots to deal double damage in certain situations!
This announcement made many players (myself included) raise an eyebrow with cautious optimism — this bug has been responsible for countless frustrating, inexplicable deaths. Let’s hope it’s truly been resolved.
The rest of the fixes are also promising, and it’s clear BSG is continuing its “bug-hunting crusade.” During the latest TarkovTV, Nikita emphasized that hundreds of bugs have already been addressed — and this patch reportedly fixes about 30 more.
Fingers crossed they didn’t accidentally introduce new bugs in the process (which Nikita himself admitted happens all too often).
Hideout Management
Several new recipes have been added to the Water Collector:
Craft Emergency Water Rations
Refill Bottles of Water
Craft Aquamari water bottles with a filter
New posters for the Hideout have also been added.
PMC Skills
A new task line has been introduced for high-level players, which helps them level various skills. Completing this task line will unlock an additional special weekly task.
My Take
As I was saying — it looks like BSG’s crusade to fix bugs and make the game smoother, more enjoyable, and less frustrating is continuing with solid results. And perhaps thanks to the Tarkov.Community portal, they’re finally listening and acting seriously on player feedback and suggestions.
So let’s keep participating in the discussions and contributing ideas on Tarkov.Community — and let’s hope BSG stays on this path.
After all, as Nikita recently stated during TarkovTV,“2025 will be a large-scale collaborative project between developers and players, with the goal of making EFT a stable and polished game in preparation for release.”
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