How to Find and Kill The Wedge in Escape from Tarkov
The Wedge is the first boss exclusive to the Icebreaker map in Escape from Tarkov, and he is not a pushover. As the sole Black Division boss currently in the game, he brings a health pool that dwarfs standard PMCs, high-tier armor, and a squad of trained guards who will absolutely ruin your raid if you rush in blind. Whether you need his Spiritus Systems LV-119 Plate Carrier for the quest A Wedge Between Us or you just want the loot, this guide covers everything you need to know before heading up to level 3.
Where is The Wedge located?
The Wedge spawns on level 3 of Icebreaker. This is important context for raid planning because Icebreaker is a multi-deck map, and reaching level 3 requires navigating through the lower decks first. If you haven't unlocked Icebreaker yet, check out the guide on how to get to Icebreaker before attempting this fight.
His Black Division guards patrol the area around him, so expect contact before you even get eyes on The Wedge himself. Clear the floor methodically rather than sprinting to his position.
The Wedge's level 3 spawn zone
How much health does The Wedge have?
This is where things get serious. The Wedge does not share the standard health values of PMCs or Scavs. His total health pool sits at 880 HP, distributed across his body as follows:
For reference, a standard PMC tops out at 435 HP. The Wedge takes roughly twice that punishment. Bring enough ammunition to actually finish the fight, and do not expect one or two bursts to down him.
Shooting limbs to bleed him out is an option, but his arm and leg values are high enough that this strategy burns through ammo fast. Thorax shots with high-penetration rounds are more efficient.
What gear does The Wedge carry?
The Wedge runs a full Black Division loadout with some of the better gear currently in Tarkov. Here is a breakdown of what he can spawn with:
Weapons
The Wedge carries one primary weapon from the following pool, loaded with premium ammunition:
- HK MP7A1 (4.6x30mm AP SX)
- FN SCAR-H (7.62x51mm M993)
- FN SCAR-H X-17 (7.62x51mm M993)
- DS Arms SA58 (7.62x51mm M993)
- Desert Tech MDR (7.62x51mm M993)
His sidearm is the HK USP chambered in .45 ACP AP. He also carries a SOG Voodoo Hawk tactical tomahawk for close-quarters situations, and both Model 8230 CS gas grenades and Model 7290 Flash Bang grenades.
The CS gas grenades are not cosmetic. If The Wedge or his guards throw one, back off immediately. Fighting through a gas cloud with your vision and movement compromised is how you lose a winnable fight.
Armor and headgear
- Helmet: Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic Helmet (Black) with MultiCam Black cover, Wilcox L4G24 NVG mount, and L3Harris PVS-31A night vision goggles (Armor Class 4)
- Chest rig: Spiritus Systems LV-119 Plate Carrier (MultiCam Black) (Armor Class 5)
- Face cover: Avon M53A1 gas mask
Class 5 armor on the chest means standard mid-tier ammo will not reliably penetrate. You need ammunition with at least 50+ penetration to consistently punch through.
Unique inventory trait
Unlike standard bosses and PMCs who run 4 single-slot pockets, The Wedge has 5 double-slot pockets, giving him 10 total pocket slots. He also carries a Keycard holder case. The loot potential here is real.
What quests involve The Wedge?
The quest A Wedge Between Us has two requirements tied directly to this boss:
- Obtain The Wedge's Spiritus Systems LV-119 Plate Carrier (MultiCam Black)
- Kill 4 of The Wedge's guards
The plate carrier must be looted from The Wedge himself, so you need to actually kill him and get out with it. Losing it on extraction means running the fight again.
Kill the 4 guards first before focusing on The Wedge. They deal serious damage and will punish you if you tunnel-vision on the boss. The guard kills also count toward the quest, so clearing them is never wasted effort.
A Wedge Between Us objectives
How to beat The Wedge: strategy breakdown
Ammunition selection
With a Class 5 plate on his chest and 170 thorax HP, The Wedge demands high-penetration rounds. The 7.62x51mm M993 he carries on his own weapons is a strong indicator of what works against armor at this tier. Bring rounds with 50+ penetration values for your primary. Do not run budget ammo into this fight.
Approach and positioning
Level 3 of Icebreaker is not open terrain. Use cover aggressively and avoid standing in open sightlines where multiple guards can focus you simultaneously. Flashbangs and CS grenades in his kit mean he and his guards can create disorienting conditions, so stay mobile and do not hold the same corner for extended periods.
Guard priority
The Black Division guards share the same elevated health values as The Wedge (different from standard Scavs and PMCs), so do not assume one tap will drop them. Clear guards from distance where possible before pushing The Wedge's position. Rushing his room with guards still alive is the most common way players die to this encounter.
Night vision consideration
The Wedge runs L3Harris PVS-31A NVGs. If you attempt this fight in a night raid, he has a significant visibility advantage. Either bring your own NVGs or run this during daytime conditions.
Black Division guards on patrol
Planning your Icebreaker raids
The Wedge is one of the more demanding boss fights currently in Tarkov, and Icebreaker itself is a complex map with a lot going on beyond just this encounter. For a broader look at quests and objectives on the map, the full Escape from Tarkov guide collection has everything from quest walkthroughs to event guides to keep your progression moving.