The Arc Raiders Flickering Flames event and project has arrived as part of the Cold Snap update, and alongside a lot of new additions such as snowy maps and balance changes. It has also brought confusion because events in Arc Raiders aren’t particularly straightforward.
There’s talk of candleberries, merits, heck, even a new raider tool if you complete the entire event. To get there though, you have to play a lot of matches, and commit a ton of resources to the project.
Here’s everything you need to know about Flickering Flames including all the resources you need for each stage of the project, how to earn merits and get more candleberries, and the rewards you can unlock along the way.
Arc Raiders Flickering Flames event explained
Image: Embark Studios via Polygon
The Flickering Flames event runs until 4:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, which is the same time the Cold Snap update as a whole comes to a close. The Flickering Flames event is all about going topside as much as possible to earn merits, because they come hand-in-hand with XP.
As you earn merits, you’ll also earn rewards, granted for every 600 merits you attain. Here’s the full list of 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: 30 candleberries
- 7,200 merits: Sprayed Eyes Red face style
- 7,800 merits: 50 raider tokens
- 8,400 merits: Orange (Hi-Tech Hiker color)
- 9,000 merits: 40 candleberries
- 9,600 merits: Mask (Hi-Tech Hiker variant)
- 10,200 merits: 50 raider tokens
- 10,800 merits: Yellow Camo (Hi-Tech Hiker color)
- 11,400 merits: 40 candleberries
- 12,000 merits: Headgear (Hi-Tech Hiker variant)
- 12,600 merits: 50 raider tokens
- 13,200 merits: White (Hi-Tech Hiker color)
- 13,800 merits: Goggles (Hi-Tech Hiker variant)
- 14,400 merits: 50 raider tokens
- 15,000 merits: Space Wrench raider tool
Arc Raiders Flickering Flame project resources and rewards list
Image: Embark Studios via Polygon
On the project side of things, much like with the expedition project, you need to commit resources to earn rewards. You can earn plenty of merits this way too, but you need some specific items and materials to complete this. Here’s the full list of everything you need alongside the rewards you can earn:
Stage 1: Candlelight
- 1 empty wine bottle: 5 firecrackers
- 25 plastic parts: 1,000 merits
- 5 durable cloth: 1,000 merits
- 20 candleberries: 50 raider tokens
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
So the rewards aren’t anything groundbreaking, but they are worth attaining because the items you’re committing aren’t particularly valuable. If you’re struggling to get enough candleberries to complete the project, make sure you’re going topside during Cold Snap weather conditions, as they’ll spawn in bushes. Keep an eye out for the bright red berries and you should be able to gather some on every raid.
While you’re at it, make sure you know how to complete ‘The Clean Dream’ quest, as that’s also just been added to Arc Raiders.
