Below is a list of all of the available trades or crafts to acquire thermals in the game. Thermal optics can be crafted in your hideout, acquired from the traders through barter trades or purchased on the Flea Market. Guide To Obtain Thermal Optics In Escape From Tarkov Purchase, Barter Or Craft Your Thermals This guide will go over every way to obtain thermal optics and compares which is the most cost effective method in Escape From Tarkov as of update 12.9.
Currently, thermal optics are not included in the loot tables for any container in the game. To balance their effectiveness the developers have made it very difficult or extremely expensive to obtain thermal optics. This gives you a formidable advantage in engagements often allowing you to kill targets before they even see you and makes it one of the most powerful items in the game. Thermal optics are an end-game item in Escape From Tarkov that allow you to identify targets at range based on their heat signature.
