Looking to master Candleberry farming in Arc Raiders? You’ve come to the right place! As a seasoned raider who’s spent countless hours braving the Cold Snap conditions, I’ll share everything you need to know about efficiently collecting these precious winter berries for the Flickering Flames event.
Quick Overview:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Duration | December 16 – January 13, 2026 |
| Total Candleberries Needed | 260 berries across 5 stages |
| Best Map | Dam Battlegrounds (Western Swamp) |
| Best Per Run | 12-18 berries (Western Swamp) |
| Event Maps | Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, Blue Gate |
What Are Candleberries?
Candleberries are special winter resources introduced in the December Update 1.7.0 (Cold Snap) as part of the Flickering Flames event. These hardy berries are essential for Speranza’s winter survival, serving multiple purposes:
- Wax production for candles
- Refreshing juices and beverages
- Medicinal tea from leaves and roots
- Hearty stews and warming soups
- Perfumes and soaps for personal care
- Festive decorations for community celebrations
Complete Flickering Flames Requirements (June 2026)
To complete the entire Flickering Flames project, you’ll need to gather 260 Candleberries across five progressive stages:
| Stage | Candleberries Required | Additional Materials | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 20 Candleberries | Empty Wine Bottle (1), Plastic Parts (25), Durable Cloth (5) | 50 Raider Tokens + Firecrackers |
| Stage 2 | 50 Candleberries | Candle Holder (3), Light Bulb (3), Industrial Battery (1) | 50 Raider Tokens + Red Light Stick Blueprint |
| Stage 3 | 60 Candleberries | Snap Blast Grenade (5), Duct Tape (10), Film Reel (1) | 50 Raider Tokens + Trailblazers |
| Stage 4 | 60 Candleberries | Coffee Pot (2), Fireball Burner (10), Water Filter (2) | 50 Raider Tokens + Vita Spray |
| Stage 5 | 70 Candleberries | Mushroom (7), Frying Pan (2), Music Album (2) | 50 Raider Tokens + Snap Hook |
Best Candleberry Farming Locations (June 2026)
🥇 Dam Battlegrounds – #1 Choice
Why Dam Battlegrounds is Best:
- Highest vegetation density across all maps
- Most Candleberry spawn points
- Excellent extraction access
- Multiple high-density zones
Western Swamp (TOP SPOT)
- Location: Near Power Generation Complex
- Berries per Run: 12-18
- ARC Density: Low
- Extraction Time: 3-4 minutes
- Risk Level: Low
- Why it’s #1: Consistently spawns multiple bushes, fewer patrols, open terrain for spotting berries
Hydroponic Dome Complex
- Location: North side of map
- Berries per Run: 8-12
- ARC Density: High
- Extraction Time: 5-6 minutes
- Risk Level: High
- Pros: Indoor protection from frostbite, high-value loot area
- Cons: PvP hotspot, high enemy density
Scrapyard/Wreckage Area
- Location: Central-southern portion
- Berries per Run: High concentration
- ARC Density: Low
- Risk Level: Medium
- Special Feature: Most fruit basket spawns
Red Lakes Area
- Location: Southeastern section
- Berries per Run: Medium density
- Risk Level: Medium
- Warning: Lakes freeze during Cold Snap – stay near vegetation for warmth
🥈 Buried City – Reliable Alternative
Best Locations:
- Marano Park (center of map) – Watch for Bastion/Bombardier spawns
- Outer edge vegetation zones
- Interior garden sections
- Areas with green plant icons on minimap
Performance:
- Berries per Run: 6-10
- ARC Density: Medium
- Extraction Time: 4-5 minutes
- Risk Level: Medium
🥉 The Blue Gate – Good Option
Prime Locations:
- Trapper’s Glade – High-density spawn area
- Olive Grove – Multiple bush locations
- Highway Collapse landmark – Reliable spawns
- Greenery near Checkpoint – Consistent berry locations
Space Port – Quick Runs Only
Primary Location:
- Staff Parking Area – Main spawn zone
- Berries per Run: 5-8
- Extraction Time: 2-3 minutes
- Risk Level: Medium
- Best for: Quick extraction runs
Pro Farming Strategies
🎯 The “Extract and Repeat” Method
This is the most efficient strategy I’ve discovered:
- Spawn Near High-Density Zone – Choose the closest prime location to your spawn
- Hit Fruit Baskets First – They contain up to 5 Candleberries each vs. 1 per bush
- Clear Immediate Area – Harvest all individual bushes in your vicinity
- Extract Immediately – Don’t risk losing your haul
- Queue New Raid – Fresh spawns every match
Why This Works:
- Candleberries don’t respawn during raids
- Fresh raids mean fresh spawns
- Reduces PvP risk
- More efficient than map-wide clearing
🎒 Smart Loadout Strategy
Recommended Setup:
- Weapons: Free starter weapons from base
- Armor: Basic armor (no rare modifications)
- Storage: Empty safe pockets for maximum berry capacity
- Healing: Minimal healing items
- Strategy: Combat avoidance over engagement
Why This Loadout:
- Zero risk of losing valuable gear
- Maximum storage space for berries
- Quick extraction focus
- No financial loss if eliminated
❄️ Cold Snap Survival Tips
Frostbite Protection:
- Use temporary metal sheet shelters added by developers
- Stay in indoor areas (Hydroponic Dome, buildings)
- Keep near vegetation and trees for natural cover
- Monitor frostbite meter regularly
Weather Considerations:
- Cold Snap lasts 2 hours per cycle
- Movement speed reduced in deep snow
- Visibility decreased during blizzards
- Extra meds recommended for cold damage
Advanced Candleberry Farming Techniques
🧺 Fruit Basket Mastery
Why Fruit Baskets are Superior:
- 5 Candleberries per basket vs. 1 per bush
- Instant collection vs. individual harvesting
- Higher efficiency for time investment
Basket Spawn Locations:
- Scrapyard area (most common)
- Near buildings and structures
- Previous Lush Blooms event locations
- Wall corners and building interiors
Pro Tip: Always prioritize baskets over individual bushes. A single basket equals 5 bushes worth of harvesting time.
🗺️ Route Optimization
Dam Battlegrounds Optimal Route:
- Spawn → Western Swamp (primary target)
- Clear area → Check for baskets
- Move to Scrapyard if needed
- Extract at nearest point
Buried City Route:
- Spawn → Marano Park (center)
- Clear park → Check surroundings
- Move to outer edges if needed
- Extract quickly
📊 Performance Comparison
| Location | Berries/Run | Time | Risk | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Swamp | 12-18 | 3-4 min | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Scrapyard | 10-15 | 4-5 min | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Hydroponic Dome | 8-12 | 5-6 min | High | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Marano Park | 6-10 | 4-5 min | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Space Port Parking | 5-8 | 2-3 min | Medium | ⭐⭐ |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
❓ “Why Can’t I Find Candleberries?”
Possible Causes:
- Wrong Map Condition: Candleberries only spawn during Cold Snap
- Wrong Map: Stella Montis doesn’t have Candleberries
- Already Looted: Other players may have cleared the area
- Wrong Locations: Not in vegetation zones (leaf icon areas)
Solutions:
- Check map conditions before queuing
- Focus on the recommended locations above
- Try different servers or times
- Follow the extract-and-repeat strategy
❓ “Am I Too Slow?”
Speed Optimization Tips:
- Learn the optimal routes by heart
- Practice quick basket identification
- Use free loadouts for faster movement
- Extract at 10-15 berries rather than pushing for 20+
❓ “Keep Getting Killed by Other Players”
PvP Avoidance Strategies:
- Choose off-peak hours for farming
- Use the Western Swamp (lower traffic)
- Extract immediately after collecting
- Run free loadouts to minimize losses
- Listen for other players’ footsteps
Event Rewards and Benefits
🎁 Flickering Flames Rewards
Completion Rewards:
- 250 Raider Tokens total (50 per stage)
- Multiple blueprints (Red Light Stick, Vita Spray, Snap Hook)
- Utility items (Firecrackers, Trailblazers)
- Merit points for additional rewards
- Cosmetic Backpack Charm (final completion bonus)
💰 Additional Benefits
Live Event Track:
- 25 additional rewards (mostly cosmetics)
- Merit-based progression
- Automatic claiming upon reaching thresholds
- Combines with project rewards
Pro Tips from Experienced Raiders
🏆 Expert Strategies
- Store crafting materials between raids – Complete stages immediately after collecting berries
- Combine with other objectives – Do quests in the same areas
- Team coordination – Mark basket locations for squad
- Event timeline tracking – Know when Flickering Flames resets
- Merit milestone focus – Berries contribute to overall progress
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to loot entire map – Inefficient and risky
- Using expensive gear – Unnecessary risk for farming
- Ignoring fruit baskets – Missing 5x efficiency
- Staying too long in one raid – Berries don’t respawn
- Farming during peak hours – More competition and PvP
Community Resources
📱 Official Channels
- Official Discord: discord.gg/arcraiders
- Twitter/X: @ARCRaidersGame
- Reddit: r/ArcRaiders
- Official Wiki: arcraiders.wiki
🤝 Community Tips
- Join farming groups for coordinated runs
- Share basket locations with your squad
- Learn from experienced raiders’ routes
- Stay updated on event changes and extensions
FAQ’s
How long does the Flickering Flames event last?
The event runs for 28 days, from December 16 to January 13, 2026.
Do Candleberries respawn during a raid?
No, Candleberries do not respawn during a raid. Once picked, they’re gone until you load into a new match.
What’s the fastest way to farm Candleberries?
Farm near your spawn location, prioritize fruit baskets first (5 berries each), then harvest individual bushes in high-density zones like the Western Swamp. Extract quickly and queue for a new raid.
How many Candleberries do I need total?
You need 260 Candleberries to complete all 5 stages of the Flickering Flames project.
Can I find Candleberries on Stella Montis?
No, Candleberries do not spawn on Stella Montis. They only appear on Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate during Cold Snap conditions.
What happens if I die with Candleberries?
You’ll lose all Candleberries you’re carrying if you die before extracting. That’s why the extract-and-repeat strategy is recommended.
How many Candleberries does each bush give?
Each Candleberry bush drops only 1 Candleberry. Fruit baskets can contain up to 5 Candleberries each.
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