Escape From Tarkov is a tactical first-person shooter with MMO type features as all players attempt to complete tasks as well as survive in Tarkov before taking their hard-earned equipment and escaping before trying their luck all over again. Players mainly rely on the variety of weaponry available in order to survive against the dangers of Tarkov as gunfights can be commonly heard by players across the map.
However, pistols, assault rifles, and SMGs are not the only weaponry available to those surviving in this war zone as melee weapons can be just as helpful in the right moment. Just like the other editions in this shooter, earning loyalty with traders or scavenging in the wild will help the player find a wide variety of melee weapons to use and these are by far the best.
10 Cultist Knife
Starting off with the smallest melee weapon on the list, the cultist knife does a fair amount of both stabbing and slashing, but this isn't where its specialty lies. Unlike any other melee weapon that players are able to loot the first hit to an enemy with the Cultist Knife will inflict an unknown toxin that is most likely poison.
Unfortunately, the knife itself only has two uses and therefore although it can poison an enemy using this melee weapon may be short-lived as it will quickly break upon use.
9 MPL-50 Entrenching Tool
While this small spade may not see time anymore as a tool to dig trenches it still has a purpose during these wartime skirmishes as a fine weapon to use against enemies that get too close. With 18 chop damage but 32 damage with a stab, this shovel is sure to cause some harm if a player can find an opening.
However, this spade cannot be found and instead must be traded for. Once getting the Prapor to loyalty level two, players can trade two Pompon hats for this shovel.
8 Red Rebel Ice Pick
Identical to the Ice Pick wielded by the forever popular Lara Croft. The Ice Pick is not only a decent choice of melee weapon but also an incredibly expensive item in Escape From Tarkov due to the options it opens up to players.
While having the Ice Pick equipped players are able to escape from two different extraction points which is the 'Cliff Descent' on Reserve and 'Mountain Pass' on Lighthouse. Besides this, as mentioned the Ice Pick can still hurt an opponent for a fair amount if caught by surprise.
7 SP-8 Durval Machete
The bigger the blade the more powerful the melee weapon, and this continues to be the case for machetes such as the SP-8 Durval. With a fair amount of damage for both chop and stab as well as having the length to allow players to be a little further back when getting involved in up-close and dangerous territory.
This item may be traded for with a loyalty level four Jaeger after completing his task of 'Slaughterhouse' though the amount of material required can be very expensive. This is why it may be easier for players to find this weapon while looting weapon boxes, Scav Raiders, or even Rushala's Guards.
6 Crash Axe
In Escape From Tarkov there are several axes that players are going to wish to have as part of their pack while scavenging against other players. One such example of this axe is the Crash Axe.
Not only is it durable, but it also can hack off a fairly large chunk of a player's health if they dare to get too close. Stabbing an opponent for 44 damage staying too close can be an unfortunate demise. However, a negative of this axe is how expensive it is to craft it not to mention requiring a loyalty level four with Ragman.
5
Antique Axe
Dealing the same amount of damage as the Crash Axe. The Antique Axe is a much cheaper alternative when looking for a melee weapon that can deal a fine hit while also not being too valuable that players can't bring it along on skirmishes.
Players may find this broken down axe in various ways some including on the bodies of Scavs, Scav Raiders, and weapon boxes. It also isn't needed in any trades no matter the loyalty level and therefore players don't need to worry about saving them for better items.
4 Camper Axe
Beating the other two axes on the list due to its increased damage by stabbing for 32 and chopping for 30. This universal camping tool rises to a higher purpose in Escape From Tarkov as many players rely on its sharp blade to protect them from their opponents.
However, it must be noted that the Camper Axe cannot be found like the Antique one and therefore players must get to loyalty level three with Jaeger before trading a fair amount of items with him to receive it.
3 SOG Voodoo Hawk Tactical Tomahawk
As expensive as it is deadly this Tomahawk may be a lot of work for a player to get their hands on but in the end it is highly worth it for the chance to stab opposing foes for 37 damage. Although its chopping damage remains the same as the majority of other axes, players that have weapons to spare are sure to invest in this valuable piece of equipment.
Not only does it require the player to trade with Jaeger a survival machete, a Bayonet, and a crash axe, it also needs the player to have a loyalty level of four with him too.
2 Miller Bros. Blade M-2 Tactical Sword
A problem with this sword is the amount of effort a player must go into in order to trade with Skier to get it. They must bring Skier two wireless transmitters, a military checkpoint key, two chains with prokill medallions, and two phased array elements which a player can imagine is a challenge to obtain. Not to mention Skier must also be at loyalty level four and his 'Flint' task completed.
However, getting though all of this can be very rewarding once the player finally has their hands on the second most powerful melee weapon with a max amount of 48 damage when stabbing.
1 USVR Taiga-1 Survival Machete
By far the best melee weapon available to players is the universal tool called the USVR Taigar-1 Survival Machete. While it also doubles up as a shovel this purpose isn't necessary in Escape From Tarkov as all that matters is the damage it deals as players won't be disappointed by the 50 stabbing damage.
Even better than its brutality is the fact that players don't need to worry about collecting resources in order to craft it. This melee weapon can be found while exploring Tarkov on cultists, the Scav boss Sanitar and weapon boxes.
Escape From Tarkov is available on PC