Look, let's be real. If you’re even looking at the Return the Favor Tarkov quest, you’ve already been through some serious pain. You’ve likely dealt with the hell of the Shoreline resort, spent millions on keys, and probably questioned your life choices while trying to reach the Lighthouse peninsula. But now you’re here. You’ve met Lightkeeper, and he wants you to kill 15 PMC operators in the mountain area of Lighthouse.
It sounds straightforward. It isn’t.
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Most players treat this like any other kill quest, but the "mountain area" is a fickle beast in Escape from Tarkov. If you’re a pixel off the designated zone, that kill you just sweated for? It doesn't count. Nothing is more soul-crushing than dropping a level 50 Chad with a perfect headshot only to see zero progress in your task menu because he was standing six inches too far toward the road.
Defining the Kill Zone (It’s Smaller Than You Think)
The biggest mistake people make with the Return the Favor Tarkov requirement is assuming the entire high ground on the east side of the map is "the mountain." That’s a lie. The game defines the mountain area specifically as the rocky ridges overlooking the water and the treatment plant, roughly between the Southern Road exit and the area just before the bridge to the Lighthouse itself.
Think of the "Pride Rock" spots. You know the ones. The ledges where snipers sit with their M700s looking down at the beach or the expansion area. That’s your playground. If you wander too far inland toward the chalet or too far north toward the rogue camp, you’re out of bounds.
You have to stay on the rocks.
Specifically, the zone includes the elevation above the road. If the player you kill is on the road itself, it might not count depending on the server-side verticality check. You want to bait people up to you, or catch other snipers who are already perched in those high-traffic spots.
Why This Quest Ruins Friendships
Tarkov is a game of patience, but Return the Favor demands a specific kind of camping that most people find repulsive. You aren't just playing the game; you're becoming a part of the geography. You're a rock. You're a bush.
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I’ve seen duos fall apart because one guy gets impatient. He wants to push the water treatment plant. He wants to loot the safes in the villas. But if you do that, you aren’t finishing this quest. To get this done efficiently, you have to embrace the boredom. You sit. You wait. You listen for the crunch of footsteps on gravel.
One of the most effective strategies involves the "Lighthouse Bridge Bait." Because people need to cross that bridge to see the boss or finish their own tasks, they often scout the mountains first. If you position yourself correctly, you aren't just hunting—you're intercepting.
Equipment Choices That Actually Work
Don't bring a bolt-action. I know, it's a mountain, it's "sniping," it feels right. But unless you are a literal god with the AXMC or a Lapua, you’re going to get pushed. When a three-man squad realizes where you are, they won't duel you at 300 meters. They’re going to throw grenades and sprint up the hill.
- The SR-25 or M1A: You need semi-auto power. You need to be able to double-tap a chest plate if you miss the head.
- High Ergo is a Trap: You’re going to be laying down. Focus on recoil and weight. If you're overweight, your stamina won't recover while prone, which is a death sentence.
- Suppressors are Mandatory: This isn't optional. If you fire an unsuppressed shot on Lighthouse, every player within 500 meters knows exactly which rock you're sitting on.
The Psychological Game of the Mountain
The mountain area is a magnet for the highest-tier players in the game. You aren't fighting Timmies here. You’re fighting people who are also on Lightkeeper tasks, people who have 4,000 hours and can see a single pixel move from across the valley.
Sometimes, the best way to get a kill for Return the Favor Tarkov is to let a fight happen first. If you hear shots at the villas, don't run toward them. Position yourself on the exit path. Most players, after a big fight, will head toward the Southern Road or try to get to the Lighthouse. They are heavy. They are hurt. They are overconfident. That's when you take them.
Honestly, the "Honorable Sniper" bit is for YouTube videos. In the actual game, you want the dirtiest, most unfair kills possible. Shoot them while they’re looting. Shoot them while they’re healing. Shoot them while they’re looking the other way.
Common Misconceptions and Map Border Issues
There’s a lot of chatter on the forums about the "dead zone" near the landslide. Some people claim kills there count; others say they don't. Based on the current build of the game, the safest bet is to stay south of the bridge path but north of the Southern Road extract.
If you get a kill near the "Red Rebel" extract (Mountain Pass), it usually counts, provided the victim is on the actual elevated terrain. If they are tucked into the crevice right at the extract, it’s a coin flip.
Don't risk it.
Try to keep your engagements on the flat-top rocks. These are the most reliable areas for the quest tracker to register the kill. Also, remember that team kills do not count. Don't try to cheese this with your buddies unless you're trying to get banned or just wasting your gear. The game tracks the PMC status strictly.
Tactical Patience vs. Aggressive Scouting
There are two ways to play this.
First, you can be the "Statue." You pick one spot—like the rocks overlooking the main road near the blue construction vans—and you stay there for 35 minutes. It’s miserable. You’ll probably dehydrate. But eventually, someone will run past.
Second, you can be the "Counter-Sniped." You move from peak to peak, specifically looking for other people trying to do Return the Favor Tarkov. This is faster but much more dangerous. You’re essentially betting that your aim is better than the guy who has been staring at your position for the last ten minutes.
If you choose to move, use the back-side of the hills (the east side). Do not skyline yourself. If your silhouette is visible against the sky, you're dead. Move in the shadows of the rocks.
Dealing with the Rogues
While you're on the mountain, the Rogues at the water treatment plant are a constant threat. If you get too close to the northern edge of the mountain zone, the Rogues on the stationary guns will target you. They have laser accuracy up to about 250-300 meters.
If you hear a "thump-thump-thump" and the ground near you starts exploding, you’ve pushed too far north. Retreat immediately. You cannot win a long-distance trade with an AI that doesn't have recoil or bullet drop.
Keep your eyes on the mounted guns. If they are manned, you are in danger. If someone else kills the Rogues, that’s your cue that a PMC is nearby. Use the Rogues as an early warning system. If the machine guns start barking, look for the person they're shooting at. That’s your target.
Essential Loadout Checklist
- Vudu or Razor HD Scope: You need the 6x zoom. Anything less and you're squinting at pixels. Anything more and the sway will ruin your shots.
- M61 or SNB Ammo: Don't cheap out. Everyone on Lighthouse is wearing Class 5 or 6 armor at this stage of the wipe. If you use M80, you’re just going to annoy them.
- Rangefinder: Whether it's the handheld one or the attachment, you need to know the zeroing. The elevation on the mountain messes with your perceived distance. A shot that looks like 200m might actually be 350m because of the angle.
- Food and Water: You will be in the raid for a long time. Take 2x Aquamari and a couple of Iskra rations.
Actionable Steps to Finish the Quest
To get through this without losing your mind, follow this specific rhythm:
- Spawn Check: If you spawn near the Southern Road, immediately sprint to the first set of rocks. You can often catch people spawning further south as they try to move toward the loot zones.
- The 15-Minute Rule: If you haven't seen anyone in the first 15 minutes, rotate. The "Mountain" is long. Move to a different vantage point overlooking a different path.
- Night Raids: If you're struggling during the day, go at night with a REAP-IR or FLIR thermal. It’s expensive, but it makes spotting PMCs against the cold rocks incredibly easy. Most people don't expect a thermal sniper on the mountain at 2 AM.
- Confirm the Kill: Don't just trust your gut. Check your task progress in the sub-menu immediately after a kill. If the number didn't go up, analyze where that player was standing. Adjust your positioning so you don't make the same mistake twice.
This quest is a gatekeeper for the final Lightkeeper rewards. It is designed to be a grind. It is designed to be frustrating. But once you understand the boundaries of the "mountain" and stop trying to play Lighthouse like it’s Factory, the kills will start to trickling in. Stick to the high ground, use the best ammo you can buy, and stop moving so much. The mountain will provide.