The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Flickering Flames is no longer active. The ARC Raiders Wiki records the event as running from December 16, 2025, to January 13, 2026. During that period, players earned Gathering Candleberries Merits through XP and project contributions; the 25-reward track ended at 15,000 Merit with the Space Wrench Raider Tool. The details below are a historical reference, not a way to claim these rewards now.
How Flickering Flames worked
Embark previewed Flickering Flames as part of the Cold Snap update, alongside a snowfall Map Condition. The event paired a five-stage project that required resource submissions with the Gathering Candleberries Merit reward track. The ARC Raiders Wiki records the event window as 28 days, from December 16, 2025, through January 13, 2026. ARC Raiders Wiki: Flickering Flames · Embark Studios: North Line announcement
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Embark’s announcement said: “The next update, Cold Snap, arrives this December which introduces the ‘Flickering Flames’ event, a new snowfall Map Condition, the awaited Expedition Project Raider reset, and more.” That was a historical preview, not an indication that the event remains available.
How Merit worked—and what “fast” meant
Earn XP during raids
The wiki records a rate of 1 Merit for every 100 XP earned on any map during the event. This provides a straightforward historical conversion, but the available sources do not establish a tested best map, activity, or XP-per-minute route.
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Contribute project resources
Submitting the resources requested by the Flickering Flames project could also award Merit. This meant choosing between contributing materials and keeping them for other uses; the ARC Raiders Hub guide advised holding items needed for later stages. ARC Raiders Hub: Flickering Flames event guide
Sources disagree about how much Merit each project stage awarded: ARC Raiders Hub lists 1,000 Merit per stage, while Beebom lists 2,000. The wiki describes stage and completion rewards without confirming either figure. Because these accounts do not agree, there is no reliable single stage payout or total project Merit amount to quote. Beebom: Flickering Flames event guide
Historical progression tips
- Earn XP through normal play on any map; the recorded conversion was 1 Merit per 100 XP.
- If contributing to the project, check later-stage requirements before turning in items. The preservation advice and stage lists come from an unofficial guide.
- The Hub guide also recommended gathering Candleberries during the Cold Snap Map Condition. This is historical guidance, not evidence that this route was the fastest.
No available source provides a measured XP-per-minute comparison, so a definitive “fastest” route cannot be established.
All 25 Gathering Candleberries rewards
The ARC Raiders Wiki lists a reward every 600 Merit, from 600 through 15,000. Here is the complete track in order:
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dyno herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
| Merit | Reward |
|---|---|
| 600 | HI-Tech Hiker outfit |
| 1,200 | Candleberries |
| 1,800 | Scanner variant |
| 2,400 | Candleberries |
| 3,000 | Check Compass emote |
| 3,600 | Candleberries |
| 4,200 | 50 Raider Tokens |
| 4,800 | Blue outfit color |
| 5,400 | Candleberries |
| 6,000 | HI-Tech Hiker Field Phone variant |
| 6,600 | Candleberries |
| 7,200 | Sprayed Eyes Red face style |
| 7,800 | Raider Tokens |
| 8,400 | Orange outfit color |
| 9,000 | Candleberries |
| 9,600 | Mask variant |
| 10,200 | Raider Tokens |
| 10,800 | Yellow outfit color |
| 11,400 | Candleberries |
| 12,000 | HI-Tech Hiker headgear variant |
| 12,600 | Raider Tokens |
| 13,200 | White outfit color |
| 13,800 | HI-Tech Hiker goggles variant |
| 14,400 | Raider Tokens |
| 15,000 | Space Wrench Raider Tool |
Project stages: use old checklists cautiously
ARC Raiders Hub published a guide-derived checklist for the five project stages and lists 260 Candleberries in total. Those are unofficial guide figures; the available accounts also conflict on stage Merit payouts. Treat the checklist as a historical reference rather than a definitive account of rewards. ARC Raiders Hub: Flickering Flames event guide
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still earn the rewards?
No. The event’s recorded end date was January 13, 2026, so the XP conversion, project submissions, and reward track described here are not a current progression opportunity.
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Rank #4
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
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