Watching You Tarkov Quest Guide: Room 215 Key & Rewards

“Watching You” is a Streets of Tarkov quest requiring players to find a surveillance spot and secure a flash drive from Room 215 in Pinewood Hotel before delivering it to Mechanic.

What is the “Watching You” Quest in Escape from Tarkov?

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The “Watching You” quest is one of the easier missions available in the Streets of Tarkov map. Given by Mechanic (Sergey Arsenyevich Samoylov), this quest is a continuation of the Broadcast – Part 2 quest. While not required for the Kappa secure container, completing this mission rewards players with a substantial amount of Roubles, EXP, and items that can be valuable during early to mid-wipe gameplay.

The experience gained from this quest helps players raise their Trader loyalty levels, making it worthwhile to complete.

The quest revolves around a client of Mechanic who was living in the Pinewood Hotel area when certain events began. This client believed he was being watched and saw leaked photos from the hotel courtyard. Your task is to find the surveillance spot and retrieve observation results stored on a flash drive.

Quest Objectives for “Watching You”

The “Watching You” quest has three main objectives that players need to complete:

Locate the surveillance spot on Streets of Tarkov
Obtain the flash drive containing the observation results
Hand over the flash drive to Mechanic

To complete these objectives, you’ll need to access Room 215 in the Pinewood Hotel, which requires a specific key. Let’s break down each step of the process to help you complete this quest efficiently.

Finding the Pinewood Hotel Room 215 Key

Before you can begin the quest properly, you’ll need to acquire the Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key. This key is essential as it allows you to access the surveillance spot and retrieve the flash drive. Here are the various ways to obtain this key:

Key Spawn Locations

The Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key can be found in several locations:

In the pockets and bags of Scavs (primarily AI Scavs)
Inside jackets throughout various maps
In drawers
Purchased from the Flea Market

The easiest method is typically purchasing the key from the Flea Market if you have access to it. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t have Flea Market access yet, checking jackets and killing Scavs are viable alternatives for finding this key.

Locating the Surveillance Spot on Streets of Tarkov

Once you have the Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key, you’re ready to begin the quest properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding the surveillance spot:

Getting to Pinewood Hotel

Start a raid on the Streets of Tarkov map
The Pinewood Hotel is located on the opposite side of the Beluga Restaurant
If you’re unfamiliar with the map, consider using a map from the “Tarkov Wiki” for navigation
Your PMC will typically spawn just outside the Pinewood Hotel near the Underpass extract entries

Accessing Room 215

Enter the Pinewood Hotel through the main entrance
Look for the reception desk inside the hotel
Beside the reception desk, you’ll find a staircase leading to the second floor
Go up the stairs and look for the locked door with the number “215” beside it
Use your Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key to unlock the door

Once you enter Room 215, the first quest objective will be automatically completed. You’ll notice surveillance equipment inside the room, including a telescope and camera near the window, confirming this is indeed the surveillance spot mentioned in the quest.

Obtaining the Flash Drive with Observation Results

After entering Room 215 and completing the first objective, your next task is to find the flash drive containing the observation results. The flash drive has two potential spawn locations within the room:

First Potential Spawn Location

After entering Room 215, look to the left of the bed where you’ll see recording equipment. Near the camera, you can find the flash drive on the window frame beside a diary. Approach it and press your interact button to pick it up.

Second Potential Spawn Location

If the flash drive isn’t on the window frame, check on top of the cabinets beside the window. Under the TV, near a pile of books, you might spot the white flash drive. Pick it up using your interact button.

When you pick up the flash drive, it will be transferred to your quest item inventory. This means it won’t take up space in your regular inventory, but you must successfully extract with it to complete the quest. If you die or fail to extract, you’ll lose the flash drive and need to try again in another raid.

Extracting and Completing the Quest

After securing the flash drive, your final task is to safely extract from the raid with the item. Here’s what you need to do:

Head to the nearest extraction point on Streets of Tarkov
Successfully extract from the raid with the flash drive in your possession
After extracting, hand over the flash drive to Mechanic to complete the third and final objective

Remember that Streets of Tarkov has over ten extraction points, so choose the one that’s safest or closest to your position after retrieving the flash drive.

Rewards for Completing “Watching You”

Upon successfully completing all objectives of the “Watching You” quest, you’ll receive several rewards:

Experience: 18,500 EXP
Mechanic Reputation: +0.02
Roubles: 94,000 base (varies with Intelligence Center level)
98,700 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2
108,100 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 3
99,029 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 1 (according to some sources)
109,369 Roubles with Intelligence Center Level 2 (according to some sources)
Items: 2× Military cable

These rewards make the quest worthwhile, especially for players in the early to mid-wipe stage when experience and trader reputation are particularly valuable.

Tips for Completing “Watching You” Successfully

To increase your chances of successfully completing this quest, consider the following tips:

Preparation

Ensure you have the Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key before starting the raid
Bring appropriate gear for urban combat, as Streets of Tarkov can be a high-traffic area
Consider bringing a friend or squad for protection, as the hotel can be a hotspot for player activity
Plan your route to and from the hotel before entering the raid

During the Raid

Move carefully and listen for other players, especially when approaching and inside the hotel
Be aware that other players might be doing the same quest or camping the room
After retrieving the flash drive, consider taking a less obvious route to extraction
If you encounter heavy resistance, don’t be afraid to hide and wait for the area to clear

Extraction Strategy

Choose your extraction point based on distance and safety
Consider using less popular extraction points to avoid potential ambushes
If possible, avoid open areas when moving to extraction with the quest item

Understanding the Streets of Tarkov Map

The Streets of Tarkov map, added in the 0.13 update, is the ninth location in Escape from Tarkov. Understanding this map is crucial for completing the “Watching You” quest efficiently and safely.

Map Features

Streets of Tarkov includes:

Banks
Malls
Hotels (including the Pinewood Hotel)
Various other urban amenities
Multiple vantage points offering lines of sight into open areas for long-range engagements
Over ten extraction points scattered throughout the map

Navigation Tips

The Pinewood Hotel is located in the northern part of the map
It’s situated opposite to the Beluga Restaurant, which can serve as a landmark
The hotel has multiple floors, with Room 215 being on the second floor
The area around the hotel can be high-traffic, so move cautiously

Common Challenges and Solutions

While completing the “Watching You” quest, you might encounter several challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Finding the Key

Challenge: The Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key can be difficult to find as a random spawn.
Solution: Check the Flea Market first if you have access. Otherwise, focus on looting jackets and killing Scavs across multiple raids until you find it.

High Player Traffic

Challenge: The Pinewood Hotel is often visited by other players, increasing the risk of encounters.
Solution: Consider raiding during off-peak hours or waiting a few minutes at the start of the raid before approaching the hotel.

Flash Drive Not Spawning

Challenge: Sometimes the flash drive might not be immediately visible in its usual spots.
Solution: Check both potential spawn locations thoroughly. Look carefully on the window frame and on top of the cabinets near the pile of books.

Extraction Difficulties

Challenge: Extracting safely with the quest item can be challenging due to player activity.
Solution: Plan your extraction route carefully, avoid main roads and open areas, and consider using less popular extraction points.

The Importance of “Watching You” in Game Progression

While “Watching You” is not required for the Kappa secure container, it plays a role in overall game progression for several reasons:

Experience and Trader Relations

The 18,500 EXP gained from completing this quest is substantial, especially during early to mid-wipe. This experience helps players level up faster, unlocking new trader levels and items.

The +0.02 reputation with Mechanic also contributes to improving your standing with this trader, eventually allowing access to better items and services.

Economic Benefits

The Rouble reward (94,000 base, more with Intelligence Center upgrades) provides a decent economic boost, especially for newer players or those rebuilding their finances after losses.

The two Military cables received as rewards are useful items that can be used in hideout upgrades or sold for additional profit.

Map Knowledge

Completing this quest forces players to become familiar with the Pinewood Hotel and surrounding areas on the Streets of Tarkov map. This knowledge is valuable for future raids and quests in the same location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Watching You” quest required for Kappa container?

No, the “Watching You” quest is not required to unlock the Kappa secure container.

Where exactly is Room 215 in the Pinewood Hotel?

Room 215 is located on the second floor of the Pinewood Hotel. After entering the hotel, go to the reception desk, find the nearby staircase, and head up to the second floor. Look for the door marked “215.”

What happens if I die with the flash drive?

If you die while carrying the flash drive, you will lose it and need to return to Room 215 in another raid to retrieve it again.

Can I complete this quest as a Scav?

No, you cannot complete this quest as a Scav. Quests can only be progressed and completed when playing as your PMC character.

How much is the Pinewood Hotel Room 215 key worth?

The price fluctuates based on market demand, but it typically ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 Roubles on the Flea Market, depending on the stage of the wipe.

Does the flash drive always spawn in Room 215?

Yes, the flash drive will always spawn in Room 215, but it can be in one of two locations: either on the window frame near the camera or on top of the cabinets near the pile of books.

Samantha Yates

Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies