Arc Raiders Flickering Flames Event Guide: Rewards, Candleberries & Project Breakdown

Want to cruise through the Flickering Flames event with less grind and more rewards? Having the right gear, weapons, and attachments can make all the difference during Cold Snap rotations — and if you want a head start, you can buy Arc Raiders items and resources at SSEgold to power up your loadout before heading out into the event’s toughest challenges.

With the event running through January 13, here’s everything you need to know about earning merits, collecting Candleberries, completing the project, and unlocking the best rewards.

Flickering Flames Event Overview

The Flickering Flames event runs until January 13 and is tied directly to the Cold Snap map modifier. Cold Snap rotates every two hours across four maps:

• Dam Battlegrounds

• Bluegate

• Spaceport

• Buried City

Stellar does not receive this modifier.

During Cold Snap:

• Maps are covered in snow

• Staying outside too long causes cold damage

• You must periodically enter buildings to warm up

• Loot value is increased

• Raider Hatch Keys are usable, unlike Night Raid or Electromagnetic Storm

This makes Cold Snap one of the most rewarding limited-time map modifiers.

How Merits Work & How to Finish the Event Faster

Event progression is tied to Merits:

• You earn 1 Merit per 100 XP

• Total required: 15,000 Merits

• Equivalent to 1.5 million XP

However, you can massively reduce the grind by completing the Flickering Flames Project.

Completing the full project rewards 10,000 Merits, meaning you only need:

• 5,000 Merits

• 500,000 XP

This makes the project highly recommended for all players.

Flickering Flames Event Rewards

By progressing through the event tiers, you’ll unlock:

• High-Tech Hiker outfit

• Outfit color variants and customization options

• Emote

• 250 Raider Tokens (paid store currency)

• Melee weapon skin (Space Wrench / Hammer)

• Candleberries (used for the project)

Completing the project grants:

• Additional 250 Raider Tokens

• Snow Globe charm

• Patina

• Epic and Legendary weapon attachments

That’s 500 Raider Tokens total just for finishing the event and project.

You’ll also receive 1,000 Coins via in-game mail from Embark as a holiday gift.

Candleberries Explained (And Why They’re Easier Than You Think)

Candleberries are harvested from red-berry bushes during Cold Snap.

Key points:

• Found across all Cold Snap maps

• Stack up to 10

• Can be stored safely

• Baskets may also contain Candleberries

Total needed for the project: 260 Candleberries

However:

• 180 Candleberries are earned naturally through event tiers

• You only need to farm 80 manually

This makes Candleberries far less intimidating than they initially seem.

Best Maps for Farming Candleberries

Spaceport is one of the best maps:

• Northeastern edges near the communications tower

• Trench Hatch East area

• Bush-dense zones around the map edges

Other solid locations:

• Dam Battlegrounds swamp area

• Buried City outskirts

Always carry:

• Bandages (cold damage)

• Adrenaline stims (movement + stamina)

Flickering Flames Project: Full Tier Breakdown

Tier 1 Requirements

• 1 Empty Wine Bottle

• 25 Plastic Parts

• 5 Durable Cloth

• 20 Candleberries

Best locations:
Residential areas (Dam apartments, Buried City houses)
Medical zones for cloth

Tier 2 Requirements

• 3 Candle Holders

• 3 Light Bulbs

• 1 Industrial Battery

• 50 Candleberries

Best locations:

• Bluegate underground maintenance area (electrical loot)

• Dam Hydroponic Domes (Industrial Batteries)

Tier 3 Requirements

• 5 Snap Blast Grenades

• 10 Duct Tape

• 1 Film Reel

• 60 Candleberries

Tips:

• Snap Blast Grenades are cheap to craft or buy

• Film Reels are residential / old-world items

• Check drawers, cabinets, and red lockers

Tier 4 Requirements

• 2 Coffee Pots

• 10 Fireball Burners

• 2 Water Filters

• 60 Candleberries

Fireball Burners:
Dropped by Fireball enemies—found almost everywhere and respawn quickly.

Tier 5 Requirements

• 7 Mushrooms

• 2 Frying Pans

• 2 Music Albums

• 70 Candleberries

Best mushroom farm:

• Spaceport trench (near Trench Hatch East)

• One mushroom tree can yield 10 mushrooms in a single run

Alternative spots:

• Dam swamp

• Fallen trees

• Pipes in buildings

Final Project Rewards

Completing the final tier grants:

• Snow Globe Charm

• Weapon attachments

• Cosmetic materials

All players receive the Snow Globe charm upon completion.

Final Thoughts

Flickering Flames is one of Arc Raiders’ most rewarding limited-time events, offering strong cosmetics, Raider Tokens, and valuable gear—all while being very manageable with the project system.

And if you want to make the most of Cold Snap rotations, raids, and Trials — consider gearing up ahead of time and buy Arc Raiders items from SSEgold to level faster, equip stronger attachments, and raid confidently.

Cold Snap won’t last forever—gear up, stay warm, and make the most of it while it’s live.