Battlestate Games has confirmed that the first Escape From Tarkov season, titled Kord Breach, will launch alongside patch 1.1 on August 3, 2026. The update introduces a new battle pass system, which the developer emphasizes is entirely free and progressible through standard gameplay.
Kord Breach Seasonal Mechanics
The Kord Breach season introduces an opt-in league system that forces players to start with a fresh character. Participants select a set of global and personal modifiers to apply to their character, which balance positive perks against negative traits via a points system. For instance, players might gain increased movement speed or accelerated skill leveling in exchange for restrictions like being locked out of the Flea Market.
Battle Pass and Progression
The new battle pass is integrated across all game modes, including PvP, PvE, and seasonal play. Progression is tied to collecting a new loot item called “TerraGroup documentation.” These items are available to all players regardless of their chosen mode and can be found during raids as either a PMC or Scav. Rewards are tied to specific documentation types associated with different map locations.
Quick Facts: Patch 1.1
- Release Date: August 3, 2026.
- Platform: PC.
- Key Features: New task system, rebalanced hideout progression, observer camera, and shared group kill objectives.
- Stability: The update includes improved game stability and updated anti-cheat measures.
Global modifiers for the season also introduce significant gameplay changes, such as banning pre-raid insurance, reducing armor availability, and removing the 'found in raid' status from hideout zones. Battlestate Games noted that while these modifiers are designed to challenge players, specific values may still be subject to balancing adjustments.