You're standing in the middle of a literal graveyard of PMC dreams. It's Ground Zero. The air smells like cordite and desperation. If you've spent any time in the meat grinder that is Battlestate Games’ Escape from Tarkov lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We need to talk about Our Own Land Tarkov. It’s not just a quest. It’s a rite of passage that feels more like a hazing ritual.
Seriously.
Ground Zero was supposed to be the "beginner-friendly" map. That’s what they told us. But anyone who has actually tried to navigate the Terragroup offices or the wine shop knows that "beginner" in Tarkov language basically means "you will die, but at least the buildings are pretty." This specific task, given by Prapor, is where the hand-holding ends and the actual suffering begins.
What’s Actually Happening in Our Own Land
The premise is simple enough on paper. Prapor wants you to eliminate some "occupiers." Specifically, you’re looking for USEC PMCs. This isn't just a random murder spree, though it often feels like it. It’s part of the deeper lore involving the fallout of the Terragroup incident. You’re clearing the way. You're making Ground Zero a little less crowded.
But here is the catch. Ground Zero is divided into two distinct matchmaking brackets. If you’re under level 20, you’re in the "kiddy pool," which is still full of sharks, just smaller ones. If you’re level 21 or higher, you’re in the deep end. Finding USEC kills for Our Own Land Tarkov changes drastically depending on which bracket you're stuck in.
I’ve seen players sprint through their early levels only to realize they haven't finished this quest, and now they’re facing level 50 juggernauts just to get their three kills. It’s brutal.
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The Objective Breakdown
You need to eliminate 3 USEC PMCs on Ground Zero.
That’s it.
No fancy items to extract. No hidden folders in a jacket. Just blood.
Why Ground Zero is a Tactical Nightmare
The map design is tight. It’s claustrophobic. You have high-rise buildings overlooking narrow streets filled with rusted cars and debris. It’s a sniper’s paradise and a pointman’s hell. When you’re hunting for Our Own Land Tarkov kills, you aren't just looking for enemies; you’re looking for the specific sound of an M4 or a SCAR.
Remember, BEARS don't count for this.
If you stumble upon a squad of three Russians screaming "DICKY NEEDLES," killing them does absolutely nothing for your quest progression. You need the Westerners. You need the USECs. This leads to a weird meta where players are literally "auditioning" their targets by listening to the voice lines they yell or the guns they fire. If you hear a distinctive American "F-bomb" over a wall, that’s your target.
The Best Spots to Find Your Targets
You can’t just wander aimlessly. You'll get tapped from a window by someone sitting in the Emerald building. If you want to finish Our Own Land Tarkov quickly, you have to go where the loot is.
The Terragroup building is the obvious choice. It’s the heart of the map. It’s where the "Saving the Mole" quest happens. People congregate there like moths to a flame. If you camp the stairs or the parking garage entrance, you will find USECs. It’s inevitable.
Another solid spot? The wine shop. It’s a chokepoint.
The Nakatani Basement is also a underrated gem for this quest. People use the underground tunnels to rotate across the map safely. Except, it isn't safe if you're waiting in the shadows with a shotgun or a kitted-out SKS.
Let’s Talk Gear and Strategy
Don't go in naked. I know, "gear fear" is real, but trying to do Our Own Land Tarkov with a Makarov is just asking for a bad time. You need something that can punch through Class 3 or 4 armor, because even the low-level players are rocking the basic vests Prapor gives out.
- Ammo over everything. Seriously. Use 7.62x39 PS at the very least. If you’re fancy, 5.45 PP or BP.
- The "Third Party" Method. Listen for a fight. Don't join it immediately. Wait for one side to win, then move in while they’re looting. It’s greasy. It’s mean. It’s Tarkov.
- Night Raids. If you have NVGs or even just a flashlight and a dream, night raids on Ground Zero are often less chaotic. You can pick off lone USECs who are trying to sneak through their own quests.
The Frustration of the "Wrong" PMC
There is nothing—and I mean nothing—more tilting than winning a 1v3 fight, nearly bleeding out, shaking as you check the dogtags, and seeing three BEAR icons. You did the work. You survived. But your quest progress for Our Own Land Tarkov is still sitting at 0/3.
It happens. A lot.
According to community data and various player surveys over the years, the split between USEC and BEAR fluctuates depending on the "drip." If the USEC clothing options are better in a certain patch, you’ll find more USECs. Currently, USECs are fairly common because of the Western weapon preference, but you still have to get lucky with your encounters.
Common Misconceptions About This Task
People think you can just farm Scavs. You can’t.
People think Rogues count. They don’t.
People think if you’re a USEC, you can’t kill other USECs for the quest. You absolutely can. Teamkilling (if you're in a squad) doesn't count, obviously, but random USECs are fair game regardless of your own faction.
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I’ve heard players complain that the quest is bugged because their kills didn't register. 9 times out of 10, it’s because they killed a BEAR or a Scav that looked slightly too "tactical." Check your tags. Always.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Progression
Prapor isn't just giving you pocket change. Completing Our Own Land Tarkov is a gatekeeper for several other important chains. It builds your reputation with him, which you desperately need for better ammo and insurance returns. It also gives you a decent chunk of XP that helps push you toward Level 15 (the Flea Market) or Level 20 (the Ground Zero level cap).
If you ignore it, you’re basically handicapping your early-game economy.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps
Stop running into the middle of the street.
If you want to finish this and move on with your life, follow this workflow:
- Identify the Hot Zone: Look at your spawn. If you're near the Unity Bank, rotate toward the Terragroup building immediately.
- Listen Before You Leap: Spend the first 5 minutes of the raid just listening. Where are the grenades? Where is the full-auto fire?
- The Extraction Bait: The "Police Checkpoint" extract requires a 5,000 ruble payment. People standing there are sitting ducks. If you're struggling with 1-on-1 gunfights, catch them while they're waiting for the car to leave.
- Squad Up: If you have a buddy, one of you can play "bait" while the other snipes. It’s an old trick, but on Ground Zero’s tight streets, it works wonders.
The reality of Our Own Land Tarkov is that it requires patience more than mechanical skill. You aren't playing Call of Duty. You're playing a survival horror game where the monsters have M4s.
Go into your next Ground Zero raid with a plan. Don't just "go for kills." Go to a specific building, hold a specific angle, and wait for the USECs to come to you. They always do. They’re just as lost as you are, and they’re probably looking for the same wine shop or the same hard drive. Catch them while they're looking at their map.
Once you get those three tags, get out. Don't get greedy. Don't try to loot the whole building. Just hit the extract, turn in the quest, and never look back at Ground Zero unless you absolutely have to.