Arc Raiders’ Flickering Flames Event: A Complete Guide to Merits, Candleberries, and Rewards
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The latest update for Arc Raiders, dubbed Cold Snap, has introduced a new event, Flickering Flames, alongside snowy maps and balance changes.However, the event’s complexity has left some players confused.This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Flickering Flames, including how to earn merits and candleberries, the resources required for the project, and all the unlockable rewards.
The Flickering Flames event is scheduled to run until 4:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, coinciding with the end of the Cold snap update. A core component of the event involves maximizing “topside” expeditions to accumulate merits, which are directly linked to experience point (XP) gains.
Earning Merits and Unlocking Rewards
As players earn merits, they unlock a tiered reward system.Every 600 merits earned grants a new reward, culminating in a significant list of cosmetic items and resources. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the rewards:
- 600 merits: Hi-Tech Hiker outfit
- 1,200 merits: 10 candleberries
- 1,800 merits: Scanner (Hi-Tech Hiker variant)
- 2,400 merits: 10 candleberries
- 3,000 merits: Check Compass emote
- 3,600 merits: 20 candleberries
- 4,200 merits: 50 raider tokens
- 4,800 merits: Blue Camo (Hi-Tech Hiker color)
- 5,400 merits: 30 candleberries
- 6,000 merits: Field phone (Hi-Tech Hiker variant)
- 6,600 merits:
Stage 2: Decorations
- 3 candle holders: 1 red light stick blueprint
- 3 light bulbs: 1,000 merits
- 1 industrial battery: 1,000 merits
- 50 candleberries: 50 raider tokens
stage 3: Presents
- 5 snap blast grenades: 3 trailblazers
- 10 duct tape: 1,000 merits
- 1 film reel: 1,000 merits
- 60 candleberries: 50 raider tokens
stage 4: Beverages
- 2 coffee pots: 1 vita spray
- 10 fireball burners: 1,000 merits
- 2 water filters: 1,000 merits
- 60 candleberries: 50 raider tokens
Stage 5: Meals
- 7 mushrooms: 1 snap hook
- 2 frying pans: 1,000 merits
- 2 music albums: 1,000 merits
- 70 candleberries: 50 raider tokens
While the rewards aren’t described as “groundbreaking,” the resources required aren’t particularly valuable, making the project worthwhile for dedicated players. For those struggling to accumulate enough candleberries, the key is to prioritize topside raids during Cold Snap weather conditions, where the berries spawn in bushes.Players should keep an eye out for the shining red berries during each raid.
Additionally, players are encouraged to complete “The Clean Dream” quest, which was recently added to Arc Raiders, to maximize their event progress.
