You're standing in the middle of Ground Zero. Mortars are probably falling. Somewhere in the distance, a mounted machine gun is ripping through a brick wall, and all you want—literally the only thing you care about—is a tiny, nondescript folder. That’s the reality of the Tarkov Needle in a Haystack quest. It’s one of those early-wipe hurdles that feels like a hazing ritual from Battlestate Games. Honestly, if you’ve spent twenty minutes circling the Terragroup building only to get head-eyes’d by a scav with a TOZ, you aren't alone.
It sucks.
But it’s also kind of the point of Escape from Tarkov, right? The game doesn't hold your hand. It barely even points you in the right direction. This task, given by Skier, is your introduction to the "fun" of searching high-traffic urban environments while everyone else is trying to do the exact same thing. You need to find a specific set of documents inside the Empire building. It sounds simple until you realize the "Empire" is a maze of glass, shattered dreams, and corners where PMCs love to sit with shotguns.
Where is the Tarkov Needle in a Haystack actually located?
Look, don't overcomplicate it. You are heading to the Empire building on Ground Zero. If you’re looking at the map, it’s the massive structure right across from the Terragroup offices. Most players get turned around because Ground Zero is dense. It’s vertical. It's confusing.
Once you get inside the Empire building, you're looking for the TerraGroup Scientist's office.
The quest item isn't just sitting on a desk with a glowing yellow outline. This isn't an arcade shooter. It’s tucked away. Specifically, you’re looking for a small, brownish-tan folder. It’s usually wedged between some books or under a desk in the office area on the upper floors.
Why the office is a death trap
You have to understand that every single person in your lobby who is under level 20 is likely looking for this exact same spot. Or they’re doing "Saving the Mole." Ground Zero is a bottleneck. The Empire building has multiple entrances, but the stairwells are where dreams go to die. If you hear footsteps above you, don't just sprint up. Stop. Listen.
Tarkov's audio is... well, it’s Tarkov audio. It’s better than it was in 2024, but it’s still tricky. You might think they're on the third floor when they're actually crouched right behind the door you’re about to open.
The Step-by-Step (Without the Fluff)
First, get to the building. If you spawn near the Nakatami stairs, you’re in luck. If you spawn by the police checkpoint, you’ve got a hike.
- Enter the Empire building. The main lobby is flashy but dangerous.
- Head to the third floor.
- Find the office marked with the scientist's name or just look for the room that looks like someone lived there for three weeks without showering.
- The folder—the actual "needle"—is often on the floor near the desk or tucked into the shelving unit.
The spawn for the quest item is static, which is a mercy. However, the visibility is the issue. If you have your brightness settings (PostFX) turned down to look "cinematic," you’re going to have a bad time. Crank that luma up. You want to see the texture of the folder against the floorboards.
Once you grab it, it goes into your quest inventory. This is a crucial distinction. It’s not in your backpack. You don't lose it if you drop your bag to run faster. But if you die? It’s gone. You have to go back.
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Surviving the Extraction
Grabbing the item is only 40% of the battle. The Tarkov Needle in a Haystack quest isn't complete until you get out alive. On Ground Zero, the extracts are notorious.
If you have the Mira Avenue extract available, make sure you actually have a flare. I’ve seen so many players get gunned down by the AI snipers because they forgot the flare or fired it at the wrong angle. If you don't have a flare, don't even look at Mira Avenue. It’s a death sentence.
Instead, look toward the Emercom Checkpoint or the Nakatami Stairs. Nakatami is usually a safer bet if you’re already in the Empire building area, but keep an eye on the clock. Late-raid player scavs are like piranhas on this map. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain from your quest items.
Dealing with the Skier Attitude
Skier is a jerk. We know this. He wants these documents because they probably contain something incriminating or valuable for his black-market dealings. Completing this task boosts your reputation with him, which is vital for getting better weapon parts early on. If you fail this quest repeatedly, you’re stuck with basic AKs and no way to mount a decent optic.
Common Mistakes Most Players Make
People rush. That’s the biggest one. They think because it’s a "starter" map, they can play it like Call of Duty.
You can’t.
Another mistake is not checking the corners of the room. The folder is small. If a grenade went off in the room earlier (which happens a lot), it doesn't move the item, but the visual clutter—shattered glass, debris—can hide it.
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Also, check your keybinds for "Interact." There’s a weird bug sometimes where the "Pick Up" prompt doesn't appear unless you're looking at a very specific pixel of the folder. If you know you're in the right spot but don't see the prompt, crouch, lean, and wiggle your mouse.
The Nuance of Ground Zero Combat
Since this quest is limited to the beginner bracket (mostly), you aren't fighting guys in Level 6 Thor armor with Spear rifles. You're fighting guys with SKSs and Paca vests. This means your ammo matters. If you’re running 7.62x39mm PS, you’re in a good spot. If you’re running hollow points, aim for the legs.
The Empire building has a lot of "soft" cover. Plywood, office chairs, thin doors. Most rifle rounds will zip right through these. If you're taking fire, don't hide behind a desk. Hide behind the concrete pillars.
Tactical Advice for the Needle in a Haystack
If you’re playing solo, wait.
Seriously. Sit in a bush or a dark corner for the first 10 minutes of the raid. Let the "Chads" (or the aspiring Chads) kill each other over the high-tier loot in the Terragroup basement. By the time 15 minutes have passed, the Empire building is usually a graveyard. It’s much easier to find a needle in a haystack when nobody is shooting at the haystack.
If you’re in a squad, one person needs to hold the hallway while the other searches. The person searching is vulnerable. Their head is down. They’re looking at the floor. They are a literal sitting duck.
Why this quest matters for your progression
Beyond just getting Skier to like you, this quest unlocks the follow-up tasks that lead you into Streets of Tarkov and beyond. You can't just skip it. It's a foundational block of the early-game economy.
Completing it gives you:
- A decent chunk of XP (enough to help bridge that gap to Level 15 and the Flea Market).
- Roubles (usually around 15,000 to 20,000 depending on your charisma/rep).
- Access to better shotguns and attachments.
Real Talk: The RNG of it All
Sometimes, the folder just feels like it isn't there. It is, I promise. But Tarkov’s lighting system can be cruel. If it's a rainy raid or dusk, the interior of the Empire building becomes a cavern of shadows. Flashlights are a double-edged sword. They help you find the folder, but they also act as a "SHOOT HERE" sign for anyone looking through a window from the building across the street.
Use the "middle-mouse" look to scan while you're moving. It keeps your weapon pointed forward while you check the floor.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
To get this done in one go, follow this specific prep:
- Bring a Flashlight: Even if you don't keep it on, you need it for the 5 seconds you're actually looking for the folder.
- Insure Everything: You’re probably going to die. It’s Ground Zero. Just insure your gear so you can get it back when a scav kills the guy who killed you.
- Map on a Second Monitor: Use the wiki map. Know exactly which window belongs to the scientist's office before you even enter the building.
- Bring a Painkiller: If you get your leg blacked out while holding the folder, you need to be able to run to the extract. Don't be the guy limping across the street while a sniper watches.
- Check the Quest Tab: Before you leave the raid, hit 'O' and check your tasks. Ensure the "Find the item" part is checked off. There is nothing worse than extracting and realizing you didn't actually pick it up.
Once you have the documents, head straight to Skier. Don't go looking for more loot. Don't try to be a hero. Hand it over, take your rewards, and never look at that office again.
Quick Reference for the Location:
- Map: Ground Zero
- Building: Empire (across from Terragroup)
- Room: Scientist's Office (3rd Floor)
- Item: Small brown folder/portfolio
The Tarkov Needle in a Haystack quest isn't about skill as much as it is about patience and situational awareness. Keep your head on a swivel, don't overstay your welcome in the Empire building, and remember that in Tarkov, the quietest moment is usually the most dangerous one.
Once you finish this, you'll likely be sent to Customs or Woods. Enjoy the trees while you can—the urban combat of Ground Zero is just a taste of what's coming later on Streets.