Let me tell you something – when I first got the Industrial Espionage quest from Tian Wen in ARC Raiders, I thought it would be just another simple delivery mission. Boy, was I wrong! This quest might seem straightforward on the surface, but there are some crucial details you need to know to complete it efficiently and walk away with that sweet Burletta blueprint.
I’ve spent countless hours topside in the Buried City, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned about this quest so you don’t make the same mistakes I did. Trust me, after reading this guide, you’ll be completing Industrial Espionage like a pro and adding that valuable Burletta blueprint to your collection in no time.
What is the Industrial Espionage Quest?
The Industrial Espionage quest is one of Tian Wen’s special missions in ARC Raiders where she needs your help gathering intel on rival weapon suppliers. When I first accepted this quest, Tian Wen handed me a Burletta pistol and told me to “keep an eye on the competition.” Little did I know this would lead me on a mini-adventure through the dangerous streets of Buried City.
This quest comes right after the “Market Correction” mission, and if you’ve been following Tian Wen’s questline, you’ll notice she’s really big on checking out various weapon caches around the map. What makes Industrial Espionage unique is that instead of bringing something back to Speranza, you’re actually leaving something behind – and planting a bug while you’re at it!
Quest Requirements and Prerequisites
Before you even think about heading out, there are a few things you need to know. I learned this the hard way when I first attempted the quest unprepared:
What You Need?:
- Level Requirement: None specific, but you should be comfortable navigating Buried City
- Required Item: A Burletta pistol (Tian Wen gives you one when accepting the quest)
- Map Access: Buried City (unlocked by default)
- Recommended Gear: Light armor for mobility, stealth equipment if you have it
Important Notes:
- You MUST have a Burletta in your inventory to complete the quest
- If you lose, sell, or recycle the Burletta Tian Wen gave you, you’ll need to craft or buy another one
- You don’t need to successfully extract after completing the quest – the progress saves automatically
- The quest can be completed solo, but having friends makes it easier and safer
Step-by-Step Quest Walkthrough
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how I complete this quest every time. I’ve broken it down into manageable steps so you can follow along easily.
Step 1: Accept the Quest from Tian Wen
First things first, head over to Tian Wen in Speranza. She’s usually hanging out near her trading post, and she’ll have the quest available if you’ve completed her previous missions. When you accept Industrial Espionage, she’ll give you a Burletta pistol and explain that she wants you to plant it in a rival weapon cache.
Pro tip: Don’t sell or recycle this Burletta! I made that mistake once and had to spend extra resources crafting another one just to complete the quest.
Step 2: Head to Buried City
Once you’ve got the quest and the Burletta, it’s time to deploy to Buried City. This is where things get interesting. Buried City is ARC Raiders’ most dense map, and it’s usually crawling with other players and ARC threats.
When I deploy, I usually go with a light loadout since I’m not planning on doing any major combat – just getting in, completing the objective, and getting out. Here’s what I typically bring:
| Loadout Slot | Item | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Any light weapon | For self-defense only |
| Secondary Weapon | Burletta (from quest) | Required for quest completion |
| Armor | Light Armor | For mobility and stealth |
| Utility | Medkit | Just in case things go wrong |
| Backpack | Small backpack | I’m not planning on looting heavily |
Step 3: Navigate to the Gas Station POI
This is where most players get confused, and I was no exception. The quest tells you to find “Tian Wen’s weapon cache near the Gas Station in the Outskirts,” but that’s pretty vague when you’re actually in the game.
Here’s exactly where you need to go:
- Location: Northern part of Buried City
- Landmark: Gas Station POI (it’s labeled on your map when you zoom in)
- Reference Points: North of the Hospital, east of the Su Durante Warehouses
- Cache Location: Just southwest of the Gas Station’s map label
When I first tried this, I spent way too much time searching around the actual gas station building. The cache isn’t inside the gas station itself – it’s in a small container just outside the main structure.
Step 4: Locate the Weapon Cache
The weapon cache you’re looking for looks like a square metal container, similar to the many other breachable containers you find throughout ARC Raiders. However, this one is special – it’s the one that will accept your Burletta.
Here’s what I look for to identify the correct cache:
- Appearance: Square metal container, slightly different from regular loot containers
- Location: Western part of the Gas Station area
- Visual Cue: Usually near a larger metal machine or structure
- Interaction Prompt: When you get close, you’ll see a “1/1 Burletta” prompt
I remember my first time trying to find this cache – I must have checked every container in the area twice before I finally found the right one. Don’t make my mistake! Look for the container that gives you the specific Burletta prompt.
Step 5: Deliver the Burletta
Once you’ve found the correct cache, the rest is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is interact with the cache while you have a Burletta in your inventory. The game will take one Burletta from you and place it in the cache.
Important note: If you have multiple Burlettas (one equipped and one in inventory), the game will take the equipped one first. I learned this the hard way when it took my modded Burletta instead of the basic one Tian Wen gave me. If you have a favorite Burletta with good mods, make sure it’s not equipped when you do this step!
Step 6: Plant the Bug
After delivering the Burletta, you’re not done yet! You need to interact with the cache one more time to plant the bug. This is Tian Wen’s way of keeping tabs on her rivals, and it’s the final step to complete the quest.
The interaction is simple – just approach the cache again and interact with it. You’ll see a different prompt this time, something like “Plant Bug” or “Place Surveillance Device.” Click it, and you’re done!
Step 7: Return to Speranza (Optional)
Here’s the best part about this quest – you don’t actually need to extract successfully to complete it. Once you’ve planted the bug, the quest is considered complete, and you can claim your rewards back at Speranza even if you get eliminated afterward.
I usually take advantage of this by going in with a free loadout, completing the objective quickly, and then either extracting if it’s safe or just letting myself get eliminated if the area is too hot. It’s a great way to complete quests without risking your good gear.
Quest Rewards
So, what do you get for completing Industrial Espionage? Let me tell you, the rewards are totally worth the effort:
Primary Rewards:
- 1x Burletta Blueprint: This is the big one! The blueprint allows you to craft Burlettas whenever you have the materials
- 3x Mechanical Components: Always useful for crafting and upgrades
- 3x Simple Gun Parts: Great for weapon maintenance and crafting
Why the Burletta Blueprint is Valuable?:
The Burletta blueprint is probably the most valuable reward from this quest. Here’s why I think it’s so important:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Weapon Type | Uncommon (green) pistol |
| Ammo Type | Light ammo (common and easy to find) |
| Damage Output | Solid for its tier |
| Craftability | Can be crafted at Gunsmith Level 2 workbench |
| Resource Cost | Moderate, but worth it for the utility |
Having the ability to craft Burlettas means you’ll never be without a reliable sidearm. I’ve found myself in plenty of situations where having a craftable Burletta saved my run, especially when I lost my good weapons early in a deployment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve helped countless players complete this quest, and I’ve noticed some common mistakes that keep coming up. Let me share them with you so you can avoid the frustration I went through:
1. Losing the Quest Burletta
This is probably the most common mistake. Players accept the quest, get the Burletta, then accidentally sell it or recycle it before completing the quest. Don’t do this! Keep the Burletta safe in your inventory until you’ve completed the quest.
2. Going to the Wrong Gas Station
Buried City has several gas station-looking areas, but only one is the correct POI for this quest. Make sure you’re going to the Gas Station in the northern part of the map, north of the Hospital.
3. Not Bringing a Burletta at All
Some players think they can complete the quest without the Burletta, either because they lost it or forgot to bring it. You absolutely need a Burletta in your inventory to complete this quest.
4. Extracting Too Early
I’ve seen players complete the delivery and bug planting, then get eliminated on the way to extraction and think they failed the quest. Remember – once you plant the bug, the quest is complete! You don’t need to extract successfully.
5. Missing the Second Interaction
Some players deliver the Burletta but forget to plant the bug afterward. You need to interact with the cache twice – once to deliver the Burletta, and once to plant the bug.
Advanced Tips and Strategies
Now that you know the basics, let me share some advanced strategies I’ve developed for completing this quest more efficiently:
Stealth Approach
If you’re like me and prefer to avoid unnecessary combat, here’s how I do it:
- Deploy during off-peak hours: Fewer players mean less chance of running into hostile raiders
- Use cover wisely: The Gas Station area has plenty of cover – use it to avoid ARC patrols
- Move at night: If your character has night vision, deploying during nighttime can make you less visible
- Listen for audio cues: The cache makes a distinct sound when you’re close – use this to locate it faster
Speed Run Strategy
Sometimes I just want to get the quest done as quickly as possible. Here’s my speed run approach:
- Free loadout: No risk of losing good gear
- Direct route: Head straight for the Gas Station, don’t get distracted by loot
- Minimal engagement: Only fight if absolutely necessary
- Quick completion: Deliver Burletta, plant bug, extract or let yourself get eliminated
Group Strategy
If you’re playing with friends, here’s how we tackle it:
- Divide and conquer: One person watches for threats while the other completes the objective
- Overwatch position: Have team members take up positions on nearby rooftops for better visibility
- Distraction tactics: Use noise or other distractions to pull threats away from the objective area
- Covered extraction: If you choose to extract, have your team provide cover during the escape
Comparison with Other Tian Wen Quests
If you’ve been doing Tian Wen’s quests, you’ll notice some patterns. Let me break down how Industrial Espionage compares to her other missions:
| Quest | Main Objective | Location | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Correction | Retrieve item from cache | Buried City | Must extract with item |
| Industrial Espionage | Deliver item to cache | Buried City | No extraction required |
| Eyes on the Prize | Fix equipment on rooftop | Buried City | Requires tool interaction |
| Unexpected Initiative | Varies | Various | Multi-stage objectives |
What makes Industrial Espionage unique is that it’s the only one of Tian Wen’s quests where you don’t need to extract with anything. This makes it much lower risk than her other missions, which is why I often recommend it as a good starting point for new players doing Tian Wen’s questline.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a detailed guide, things can go wrong. Here are some common issues I’ve encountered and how to solve them:
Quest Not Updating
Sometimes the quest doesn’t update properly after you deliver the Burletta. If this happens:
- Check that you actually have a Burletta in your inventory
- Make sure you’re interacting with the correct cache
- Try relogging and attempting again
- As a last resort, abandon and reaccept the quest
Can’t Find the Cache
If you’re having trouble locating the weapon cache:
- Look for the “1/1 Burletta” prompt when approaching containers
- Check the western part of the Gas Station area
- Look for a container near a larger metal machine
- Use the map screenshot in this guide as reference
Burletta Not Working
If the cache won’t accept your Burletta:
- Make sure it’s a regular Burletta, not a special variant
- Check that it’s in your inventory, not equipped
- Try unequipping all weapons and then interacting
- If all else fails, get a different Burletta and try again
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Industrial Espionage quest take to complete?
From my experience, if you know exactly where to go, you can complete this quest in about 10-15 minutes. However, if it’s your first time or you get sidetracked by combat or looting, it could take 30 minutes or more.
Do I need to extract successfully to complete the quest?
No! This is one of the best things about Industrial Espionage. Once you’ve delivered the Burletta and planted the bug, the quest is complete. You can claim your rewards even if you get eliminated afterward.
What happens if I lose the Burletta Tian Wen gave me?
If you lose, sell, or recycle the quest Burletta, you’ll need to get another one. You can either craft one at a Gunsmith Level 2 workbench or purchase another one from Tian Wen.
Can I complete this quest solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest solo many times. In fact, I sometimes prefer doing it solo because it’s easier to avoid detection and move quickly when you’re not coordinating with a team.
Is the Burletta blueprint worth it?
In my opinion, yes! The Burletta is a solid sidearm that uses common light ammo, and being able to craft it means you’ll always have a reliable weapon available. It’s especially useful if you tend to lose weapons early in runs.
What level should I be before attempting this quest?
There’s no specific level requirement, but I recommend being comfortable with navigating Buried City and basic combat mechanics before attempting this quest. I’d say level 10-15 is a good starting point.
Can I do this quest multiple times?
No, like most quests in ARC Raiders, Industrial Espionage can only be completed once per character. However, the rewards (especially the Burletta blueprint) are permanent, so you only need to do it once.
What’s the best time to attempt this quest?
I find that early morning or late night server times are best, as there are fewer players around. This makes it easier to avoid PvP encounters and focus on completing the objective.
Do I need any special equipment or tools?
No special equipment is required beyond the Burletta itself. However, I recommend bringing basic survival gear like armor and medkits, just in case you run into trouble.
Can I complete other objectives while doing this quest?
Absolutely! I often combine this quest with other Buried City objectives or looting runs. Just make sure you have the Burletta with you when you reach the Gas Station area.
Final Thoughts
After completing Industrial Espionage dozens of times, I can confidently say it’s one of the more straightforward quests in ARC Raiders, but only if you know what you’re doing. The key is understanding that you need to bring a Burletta, knowing exactly where the cache is located, and remembering to interact with it twice.
The Burletta blueprint reward is genuinely valuable, especially for newer players who might struggle with weapon availability. I still craft Burlettas regularly, even though I have access to better weapons, because they’re reliable, use common ammo, and are great for backup or when I’m running a light loadout.
Remember, the most important things are:
- Keep the Burletta safe until you complete the quest
- Go to the correct Gas Station in northern Buried City
- Interact with the cache twice (deliver Burletta, then plant bug)
- Don’t worry about extracting – the quest completes when you plant the bug
I hope this guide helps you complete Industrial Espionage with ease. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to drop a comment below. And don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference – you never know when you might need to help a friend with this quest!