Escape from Tarkov: Nikita’s “Special” Promo Code Is Trolling the Entire Playerbase
Battlestate Games is usually pretty consistent when it comes to giving away useful freebies to the fanbase. Most of the time, these drops come directly from Escape from Tarkov director and studio boss, Nikita Buyanov. However, his latest contribution to the community is a bit different.
Learn more on the official 1.0 release of Escape from Tarkov!
The Sarcastic PAY2WIN Promo Code
On December 7, Buyanov took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a brand new code. He described it as a “special promo,” but players quickly realized the offer was an elaborate joke.
The code itself is simply “PAY2WIN“.
This is clearly sarcastic, as the contents are neither paid items nor will they help you win in any scenario. While some critics have alleged that parts of Escape from Tarkov are pay-to-win, this bundle seems to be Buyanov’s tongue-in-cheek response to those claims.
PAY2WIN https://t.co/LXSSnrIuJU
— Nikita Buyanov (@nikgeneburn) December 7, 2025
Inside the ‘Trash Tier’ Tarkov Bundle
The newly shared code grants a bundle of items that veteran players will immediately recognize as “trash tier.” It is arguably one of the worst possible item combinations a free bundle could offer.
Here is the full list of items you receive:
- 12x 12/70 Dual Sabot slug
- UZRGM Fuze (Component only)
- GP coin
- Rye Croutons
- Tac-Kek FAST MT helmet (Replica)
- Transformer Bag (T-Bag)
- TOZ-106 bolt-action shotgun
- 20x1mm toy gun (Blicky)
Why These Items Are Practically Useless
On the combat side, the 12/70 Dual Sabot slugs offer just 17 Penetration Power. That is nowhere near enough to penetrate the Class 4+ armor plates most players wear, rendering their damage rating moot.
The TOZ-106 is not much better. It is a bolt-action shotgun with a tiny 2-to-4-round magazine that cycles incredibly slowly.
It also relies on a weak ammo pool, making it a terrible pick for even the most budget-conscious PvP builds. Then there is the “Blicky” toy pistol. This is purely a meme item with terrible ballistics and a velocity of just 20 m/s.
Defensive Gear: The Replica Helmet Problem
Looking at the defensive side of things, the bundle continues the joke. The Tac-Kek FAST MT found in this drop is a replica with no real ballistic rating. Its Armor Class of 1 makes it as useless as helmets get.
Meanwhile, the included T-Bag provides just nine slots, making it one of the least efficient carry options in the extraction shooter.
Even the provisions are a double-edged sword. The Rye Croutons restore a minuscule 20 Energy, but they cost you -10 Hydration in the process. Finally, the UZRGM fuze is merely a crafting part that cannot be thrown as a grenade, and the GP coin is just simple barter fodder.
In Conclusion: How Long Will the Code Last?
Buyanov did not clarify how long the “PAY2WIN” promo code will remain available to redeem. Since the reward doesn’t yield anything but a joke bundle, it is possible Battlestate plans to keep it active indefinitely. This drop is clearly just for laughs, serving as a meme from the developers to the community.
Did you redeem the code for the collection, or did you skip this trash loot entirely? Let us know in the comments!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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