Battlestate Games has launched a brand-new limited-time event in Escape from Tarkov called Casus Belli (Latin for “cause for war”). The event introduces a fresh wave of hostile Pillagers roaming the Norvinsk region and adds a new chain of missions for players to complete.
The Casus Belli event runs from April 8 until April 15, 2026. It expands on the recent smuggler-themed events by bringing in a new enemy type that players must confront across multiple maps.
To participate, your account must have either been created or wiped after the 1.0 release on November 15, 2025. This “wipe wall” is in place to ensure players are on the current version of the game.
- PvP players were automatically wiped with the 1.0 update, so they have no issue accessing the event.
- PvE players who have not manually wiped their profile since November 15 will be unable to participate until they do so.
The event is fully available to both PvP and PvE modes, allowing everyone to take part in the new content.
The introductory task, simply titled Casus Belli, is already live and serves as the entry point for the event chain.
First Task Requirements:
- Eliminate 5 Pillagers across any Tarkov maps.
- Return 3 found-in-raid painted CQCM masks (these are the distinctive masks worn by the Pillagers).
Completing this mission will unlock further tasks in the event chain.
Pillagers are described as aggressive new enemies that bring a different combat dynamic compared to standard Scavs or Raiders. Their presence adds extra danger and loot opportunities during raids, making every map feel slightly more hostile while the event is active.
The requirement to have wiped after the 1.0 release is Battlestate’s way of ensuring players are progressing on the current economy and progression systems introduced with the full release. While it technically locks out a small number of long-time PvE players who never wiped, the vast majority of the player base is unaffected.
Players should prepare for increased difficulty when encountering Pillager groups. Their painted CQCM masks are key loot items for the event tasks, so focusing on these enemies during raids will be the fastest way to progress.
The event runs for exactly one week, giving players a limited window to complete the available missions and earn any associated rewards (details on final rewards are still emerging as players progress).
With the Casus Belli event now live, Tarkov feels a little more dangerous and a little more rewarding for the next seven days. Whether you main PvP or PvE, now is the time to load in, hunt some Pillagers, and start stacking those painted masks.