Escape from Duckov has taken the gaming world by storm with over 1 million sales since its October 2025 release. This quirky extraction shooter parody replaces hardcore military operations with adorable yet deadly ducks. If you’re tackling the “A New Hunter” quest and feeling overwhelmed by rampaging scavengers, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to secure those valuable rewards and level up your duck adventure.
Table of Contents
A New Hunter Quest: Escape from Duckov Essential Information
| Quest Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Giver | Jeff (White Duck NPC in Bunker) |
| Objective | Collect 2 Cleavers from Rampaging Scavengers |
| Location | West of Bunker, near fence break |
| Enemy Type | Fast-moving, red-colored melee scavengers |
| Rewards | 2,800 XP, 380 currency, 1 metal plate, 1 nut, 1 bolt |
| Difficulty | Easy (with proper preparation) |
| Recommended Gear | Any ranged weapon, basic healing items |
Step-by-Step Guide to Complete A New Hunter Quest
Step 1: Accept the Quest from Jeff
Head to your Bunker safehouse and locate Jeff, the white duck NPC who serves as your primary quest giver in the early game. When you receive his message about going after rampaging scavengers with cleavers, click “Accept” to officially start the quest. Jeff explains that with a good weapon, you can take down these dangerous enemies who wield cleaver weapons.
This quest is crucial for progression in Escape from Duckov’s early game as it teaches you combat mechanics while rewarding you with crafting materials essential for base upgrades.
Step 2: Navigate to the Rampaging Scavenger Camp
From your Bunker, head west and keep to the left side. You’re looking for a break in the fence—this is your entry point to the scavenger territory. The location is relatively close to your starting point, making it an ideal early-game quest that doesn’t require extensive map knowledge.
Pro tip: Before leaving your base, stock up on basic supplies like bandages and cola for quick healing. The vending machine in your bunker sells these essentials for reasonable prices. Check out our guide on survival strategies in extraction shooters for more preparation tips.
Step 3: Engage and Eliminate Rampaging Scavengers
Once you spot the red-colored rampaging scavengers, begin firing immediately. These enemies are fast-moving and aggressive but exclusively use melee attacks, giving you a significant advantage with ranged weapons.
Combat Tips:
- Maintain Distance: These scavengers close gaps quickly but can’t hit you from range
- Use Cover: Position yourself behind objects to control enemy approach angles
- Headshots Matter: Aim for the head to maximize damage and conserve ammunition
- Kiting Works: Move backward while shooting to maintain safe distance
The key advantage is their melee-focused combat style. As long as you keep them at arm’s length with any gun—pistol, rifle, or shotgun—you’ll dominate the encounter. For more detailed combat mechanics, visit the official Escape from Duckov Steam page.
Step 4: Loot the Bodies for Cleavers
After defeating the scavengers, approach their bodies and loot them to collect the Cleavers. You need exactly two Cleavers to complete this quest. These melee weapons will appear in the scavengers’ loot drops, so make sure you thoroughly search each defeated enemy.
Important note: Don’t leave the area immediately after getting your first Cleaver. Ensure you have both required items before returning to avoid making multiple trips.
Step 5: Return to Jeff for Rewards
Once you’ve secured both Cleavers, head back to your Bunker and speak with Jeff. He’ll reward you with substantial early-game benefits: 2,800 XP points (which helps unlock crucial skills), 380 in-game currency, one metal plate, one nut, and one bolt.
These crafting materials are invaluable for constructing your workbench and other base upgrades. The nuts and bolts especially become bottleneck resources, making this quest doubly important. Learn about optimizing your base building for maximum efficiency.
Why A New Hunter Quest Matters
This quest serves as an excellent introduction to Escape from Duckov’s core loop: venture into dangerous territory, eliminate hostile NPCs, collect loot, and return safely. The rewards directly contribute to your progression system, allowing you to craft better equipment and unlock new areas.
The 2,800 XP significantly boosts your skill tree progression. Early skills like Backpack Expert I, Survival Instinct I, and Gun Mastery I are essential for surviving later maps where enemies hit harder and loot is scarcer.
Additional Tips for New Players
Equip Proper Gear: Before any quest, ensure you have a functional weapon and at least basic healing items. The starting pistol works fine for A New Hunter, but any upgrade improves your odds.
Time Your Extraction: After completing the quest, you can either extract immediately or continue looting the area. Early game is more forgiving, so explore freely.
Save Your Cleavers: While you could sell the Cleavers later, they’re sometimes useful for melee backup weapons. Consider keeping one in storage.
Don’t Fear Death: In the early game, dying costs relatively little. Use this quest to practice combat mechanics without severe penalties.
Related Quests to Complete Next
After finishing A New Hunter, Jeff and other NPCs will offer additional quests:
- Letter Retrieval: Find a letter in a red tent on Small Hill
- Bronze Pocket Watch: Unlock a tanker truck cab (requires Mechanical Key)
- Infrastructure: Build your first workbench for crafting
- Medical Supplies: Learn proper bandage usage for stopping bleeding
Each quest progressively introduces new game mechanics while providing valuable rewards that accelerate your progression.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the best weapon to use for the A New Hunter quest in Escape from Duckov?
Any ranged weapon works effectively for A New Hunter since rampaging scavengers only use melee attacks. Your starting pistol is completely adequate—just maintain distance and aim carefully. If you’ve found an assault rifle or SMG during earlier exploration, these provide faster kill times and easier crowd control. Shotguns work well at close range but require more precise positioning. The most important factor isn’t weapon choice but ensuring you have enough ammunition. Bring at least 30-40 rounds to comfortably handle multiple scavengers without running dry.
Q2: Can I fail the A New Hunter quest, or lose the Cleavers if I die before returning to Jeff?
Yes, like all items in Escape from Duckov, Cleavers will be lost if you die before successfully extracting back to your Bunker. The extraction shooter mechanics mean everything in your inventory is at risk until you return safely. If you die with the Cleavers, you’ll need to venture out again and defeat more rampaging scavengers to collect two new ones. This is why many experienced players recommend extracting immediately after completing quest objectives rather than staying out to gather additional loot. The quest itself doesn’t fail—you can attempt it unlimited times—but you must physically bring the required items back to Jeff to receive rewards.
