I remember when I first stumbled upon Apollo’s Espresso quest in ARC Raiders. I was scratching my head, wondering why in the world I needed to find a coffee machine in the middle of a post-apocalyptic wasteland swarming with ARC machines. But let me tell you, after completing this quest and getting those sweet rewards, I totally get why Apollo needs his caffeine fix!
When I’m not busy dodging ARC drones and scavenging for supplies, sometimes it’s the little comforts that keep us going, right? So grab your gear, and let me walk you through exactly how I completed the Espresso quest without losing my mind (or my loot) in the process.
What You Need to Know Before Starting?
Before you even think about hunting down that espresso machine, there are a few things I learned the hard way that you should know upfront.
First off, this quest isn’t just handed to you right away. You’ll need to complete some prerequisite quests first. Now, I’ve seen some conflicting information out there about exactly which quest unlocks this one – some sources say it’s “Bees!” from Celeste, while others mention “A Balanced Harvest.” From my experience, it really depends on your quest progression path, but generally speaking, you’ll need to have established a good relationship with Apollo and completed a few of his earlier assignments.
The most important thing I can’t stress enough: this quest must be completed in one round. If you die or extract without the espresso machine parts, you’ll have to start the whole process over again. Trust me, I learned this the frustrating way after getting eliminated by a squad of Hornets right before reaching the extraction point.
Preparing for the Mission: My Loadout Recommendations
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it – the area where you need to go for this quest can be pretty dangerous. When I first attempted it, I went in underprepared and ended up regretting it big time. Here’s what I’ve found works best:
Essential Gear:
- A weapon with good medium-range capability – You’ll likely encounter Leapers and Hornets, so something versatile is key
- A reliable shield – Those ARC drones pack a punch, and you don’t want to get caught without protection
- Medical supplies – At least 3-4 healing items, because you never know when things will go sideways
- An augment with a Safe Pocket slot – This is absolutely crucial! I’ll explain why in a bit
Optional but Helpful:
- Stealth-enhancing gear – If you can avoid unnecessary fights, you’ll save time and resources
- Zipline or mobility equipment – The extraction point is close, but having options never hurts
- Extra ammo – Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?
The Quest Walkthrough: Step by Step
Alright, let’s get to the meat of this guide. Here’s exactly how I completed the Espresso quest, from accepting it to celebrating back at Speranza with my rewards.
Step 1: Getting the Quest from Apollo
Head over to Apollo’s shop when you’re back at Speranza. He’ll give you the lowdown about needing espresso machine parts. The conversation is pretty straightforward – he’s looking for specific components from an espresso machine to get his coffee setup working. I found it pretty amusing that in the middle of all this chaos, someone’s worried about their morning brew!
Step 2: Heading to Buried City
The quest takes you to the Buried City map. Now, I’ve been through this area quite a few times, and I can tell you it’s not exactly a walk in the park. The Plaza Rosa area where you’re headed is typically swarming with ARC activity, so you’ll want to be extra cautious.
When I load into Buried City, I usually take a moment to check my surroundings and plan my route. The last thing you want is to run headfirst into a patrol of Hornets when you’re carrying valuable quest items.
Step 3: Locating the Cafe – Multiple Reference Points
This is where things can get a bit confusing, as different sources describe the location slightly differently. Let me break it down based on what I’ve found from my multiple runs:
Primary Location Reference:
- The cafe is in Plaza Rosa on the southern part of the Buried City map
- It’s right next to the Southern Station extraction point (which is super convenient!)
- You’ll also find it near the Red Tower landmark
Alternative Navigation References:
- Look for the street that runs between Corso da Vinci and the Santa Maria Houses
- It’s beneath the section of broken highway – you can’t miss this massive structure
- The building is a red building with a rusty “Cafe” sign above the door
When I first went looking for this place, I spent way too much time wandering around. Let me save you that frustration: head to the southern part of the map, look for the broken highway section, and scan for that distinctive red building with the cafe sign. It’s pretty unmistakable once you know what you’re looking for.
Step 4: Inside the Cafe – Finding the Espresso Machine
Okay, so you’ve found the cafe. Now comes the important part. When I first entered, I almost missed the machine because I was too busy checking out the rest of the building for loot (old habits die hard, right?).
Here’s exactly what you need to do:
- Enter the cafe – It’s usually pretty straightforward, just walk through the main entrance
- Head to the ground floor – Don’t bother going upstairs, the machine is on the main level
- Look behind the counter – The espresso machine is positioned at the corner of the counter
- Find the machine near the broken AC unit – There’s typically a busted air conditioning unit on the wall nearby, which is a good landmark
The machine itself is pretty distinctive – it’s an old, probably non-functional espresso machine that Apollo wants for parts. When you interact with it, you’ll get the Espresso Machine Parts added to your inventory.
Pro Tip: The Safe Pocket Strategy
This is so important that I’m giving it its own section. When I first attempted this quest, I didn’t use a Safe Pocket, and let me tell you, it was a disaster. I got eliminated by some ARC drones, lost the quest item, and had to start all over again.
Always put quest-specific items in your Safe Pocket! This prevents you from losing them if you get killed during the round. Most augments have a Safe Pocket slot, and there’s no reason not to use it for valuable quest items. I learned this lesson the hard way, so please don’t make the same mistake I did.
Step 5: Extracting Successfully
Now that you’ve got the espresso machine parts safely in your inventory (hopefully in your Safe Pocket), it’s time to extract. This is actually one of the easier parts of the quest, thanks to the convenient location.
The Southern Station extraction point is literally right in front of the cafe! I’m not kidding – when you walk out of the cafe, you’ll see the extraction point just a short distance away. Here’s what I do:
- Exit the cafe and head toward the extraction point
- Drop or zipline down into the broken section of ground where the extraction point is located
- Press the button to call the metro – this usually takes a minute or so
- Wait for the train to arrive and board it when it does
- Celebrate your successful extraction – you’ve earned it!
The first time I did this, I was so focused on the quest that I almost missed how close the extraction point was. It’s seriously one of the most conveniently located extraction points I’ve encountered in the game.
Step 6: Returning to Apollo
Once you’re safely back at Speranza, head over to Apollo’s shop to complete the quest. He’ll be thrilled that you found the espresso machine parts, and he’ll reward you handsomely for your efforts.
The Rewards: What You Get for Your Trouble?
Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff – the rewards! When I first completed this quest, I was pleasantly surprised by how useful the rewards actually are. Here’s what you’ll get:
Primary Rewards:
- 1x Coffee Pot Trinket – This is actually a pretty decent trinket that you can equip
- 3x Adrenaline Shots – These are incredibly valuable and I always make sure to have some on hand
Why These Rewards Matter?:
The Coffee Pot Trinket might seem like just a cosmetic item, but trinkets in ARC Raiders often provide small bonuses or effects. While I haven’t noticed any massive gameplay changes from it, it’s a nice reminder of your successful quest completion.
The Adrenaline Shots, though? These are absolute game-changers! I can’t tell you how many times these have saved me in tight situations. Here’s what makes them so special:
- They fully restore your stamina – No more being caught out of breath when you need to sprint away from danger
- They temporarily increase stamina regeneration – This bonus effect can be a lifesaver during extended fights or when you need to cover a lot of ground quickly
I always keep at least a few Adrenaline Shots in my inventory, and getting three of them from this quest is a pretty sweet deal. They’ve saved my bacon more times than I can count, especially during those intense moments when I’m low on stamina and ARC drones are closing in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (I Made These So You Don’t Have To!)
Look, I’ve completed this quest multiple times now, and I’ve made pretty much every mistake in the book. Let me share some of the big ones so you can avoid them:
Mistake #1: Not Using a Safe Pocket
I already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating. I lost my first set of espresso machine parts because I didn’t use a Safe Pocket. Don’t be like me – use that Safe Pocket!
Mistake #2: Rushing Into the Area
The Plaza Rosa area is often swarming with ARC activity. When I first attempted this quest, I rushed in like I owned the place and immediately got overwhelmed by Hornets and Leapers. Take your time, assess the situation, and proceed with caution.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Environment
The cafe and surrounding area have plenty of cover and strategic positions. I used to just run straight to the objective, but I’ve learned that using the environment to your advantage can make the difference between success and failure.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Loot the Area
While the espresso machine is your primary objective, the cafe and surrounding buildings often contain valuable loot. I make it a point to thoroughly search the area before extracting – you never know what useful items you might find.
Mistake #5: Poor Extraction Planning
Even though the extraction point is close, I’ve seen plenty of players (including myself, once) get eliminated right before extracting because they didn’t plan their exit properly. Make sure you have a clear path to the extraction point and enough resources to handle any last-minute encounters.
Advanced Tips for Experienced Players
If you’ve been playing ARC Raiders for a while and are looking for some pro-level tips, here are some strategies I’ve developed over multiple playthroughs:
Speed Running the Quest
Sometimes I just want to get in, get the parts, and get out as quickly as possible. For speed runs, I recommend:
- Landing as close to Plaza Rosa as possible
- Bringing mobility-focused gear for quick traversal
- Skipping unnecessary fights unless they’re directly in your path
- Having the extraction point already marked on your map
Stealth Approach
For those times when I want to avoid combat entirely (which is most of the time, honestly), here’s what works:
- Equip stealth-enhancing gear and silencers
- Use cover effectively and move when ARC patrols are looking away
- Avoid making noise that could attract unwanted attention
- Have an escape route planned in case things go wrong
Group Play Strategy
When I’m playing with friends, we’ve developed a pretty effective system:
- One player acts as scout, checking for threats
- Another player focuses on looting and grabbing the objective
- The remaining players provide overwatch and handle any threats
- We all move to extraction together, covering each other
Related Quests and Follow-up Content
Completing the Espresso quest opens up some interesting possibilities and is part of a larger questline. Here are some related quests and content I’ve discovered:
Apollo’s Quest Line
Apollo has several other quests that become available as you progress:
- “What Goes Around” – Destroy ARC enemies using specific weapons
- “Sparks Fly” – Destroy Hornets with particular grenade types
- “Life of a Pharmacist” – This quest was mentioned in one of the sources and seems to be a follow-up or related quest
Celeste’s Quests
Since there seems to be some connection between Apollo and Celeste’s questlines, you might want to keep an eye on:
- “A Balanced Harvest” – May be a prerequisite for the Espresso quest
- “Bees!” – Another potential prerequisite quest
- “Greasing Her Palms” – A more complex quest involving multiple locations
General Tips for Quest Progression
From my experience, it’s best to:
- Complete quests for each trader consistently to build reputation
- Keep track of which quests you’ve completed and which are available
- Don’t be afraid to take breaks between difficult quests
- Help other players with quests you’ve already completed – it builds goodwill and you might learn new strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve answered a lot of questions about this quest from fellow players, so let me address some of the most common ones:
How long does the Espresso quest take to complete?
From my experience, if you know what you’re doing, you can complete this quest in about 15-20 minutes. However, if you’re new to the area or encounter heavy resistance, it could take 30-45 minutes. My personal best time is around 12 minutes, but that was with perfect conditions and no unexpected encounters.
Can I complete this quest solo?
Absolutely! I’ve completed this quest solo multiple times. In fact, I sometimes prefer going solo because it’s easier to avoid detection and move quietly. Just make sure you’re well-prepared and have a good understanding of the area.
What happens if I die during the quest?
If you die without the quest item in your Safe Pocket, you’ll lose the espresso machine parts and have to start the quest over. This is why I can’t stress enough how important it is to use that Safe Pocket! If you do have it in your Safe Pocket, you’ll keep the item but will still need to extract successfully to complete the quest.
Are there multiple espresso machine locations?
From what I’ve seen, there’s only one specific espresso machine that works for this quest, and it’s the one in the Plaza Rosa cafe. I’ve checked other cafes and buildings in the area, but none of them seem to have the right machine for Apollo’s needs.
Can I complete this quest on any difficulty?
Yes, the quest is available on all difficulty levels. However, I’ve found that higher difficulties make the area much more dangerous, with more ARC patrols and tougher enemies. If you’re new to the quest, I recommend starting on a lower difficulty to get familiar with the location and objectives.
What level should I be before attempting this quest?
There’s no specific level requirement, but I’d recommend being at least level 10-15 and having decent gear before attempting this quest. The area can be quite challenging, especially for newer players.
Final Thoughts and Personal Experience
After completing the Espresso quest multiple times, I’ve really come to appreciate it as one of the more straightforward yet rewarding quests in ARC Raiders. It’s not overly complicated, but it requires enough preparation and skill to feel satisfying when you complete it.
I remember my first successful completion vividly – I was so focused on not making any mistakes that I almost forgot to enjoy the experience. But when I finally extracted with those espresso machine parts and returned to Apollo, the feeling of accomplishment was real.
What I love most about this quest is how it fits into the larger narrative of ARC Raiders. In the middle of all this chaos and destruction, characters like Apollo are still trying to maintain some sense of normalcy and comfort. It’s these small human moments that make the game feel so much more immersive and relatable.
The rewards, especially those Adrenaline Shots, have proven invaluable in my subsequent adventures. I can’t count how many times they’ve saved me during intense firefights or when I needed to make a quick escape.
If you’re struggling with this quest, don’t get discouraged. Like anything in ARC Raiders, practice makes perfect. Each attempt teaches you something new about the area, the enemy patterns, and the most efficient routes.
Remember to bookmark this guide for future reference, and feel free to share it with fellow players who might be struggling with the Espresso quest. And if you have any additional tips or strategies that I haven’t mentioned, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Happy raiding, and may your espresso machine hunts be successful and your extractions be safe!