i bought tarkov in like 2021 or 2022 but back then i had an awful gtx 1650 pc with 16 gigs of ddr4, so i could barely run it, i had like maybe 100 hrs but i couldnt commit even if i wanted to because i couldnt play maps like streets or woods at more than 5 fps. Some time passed and i invested in a much better PC which cost me about 1300-1400 euros not counting the externals, i tried playing the game again but i realised that in the mean time the game became very pay to win, the unheard edition which straight up gives you insane buffs for the cheap price of 200 or so euros. Not only that but there is now a separate gamemode, tarkov arena, the new gamemode that you need to pay additional money for and play it outside of the already extremely time consuming and grindy game that is tarkov, to get really good guns in the new shop which you can only buy with arena currency or whatever its called.  
All of these things aside the game is very very complex and difficult.  
  
My question to you tarkov veterans is:  
1. How frequently do you run across cheaters nowadays  
2. Is the game worth playing in 2026 without having unheard and arena  
3. How many hours do you have on the game and how many hours on avg do you play in 1 day when you hop on  
4. How long did it take you to start getting actually solid at the game  
5. Any tips in case i start playing again?

Returning new player wondering whether to even start playing again [New Player]