You're sprinting through the ruins of a fallen world in
ARC Raiders, your eyes scanning for high-tier gear, weapon mods, and anything to give you an edge against the relentless ARC machines. In your path, you spot a small, seemingly mundane object: a
Candle Holder. Your first instinct? To sell it for a quick coin or recycle it for parts. It’s just junk loot, right?Not so fast. If you've engaged with the
Flickering Flames seasonal event, you've hit a wall at
Stage 2, staring at a donation request for three of these very items. Suddenly, that "junk" becomes a critical quest item. This guide is for every
PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S player (the platforms ARC Raiders currently supports) who now needs to backtrack and farm an item they've been overlooking. The "problem" isn't a bug or a glitch—it's a classic case of game design shifting an item's value from vendor trash to event-critical treasure overnight. This guide will transform your search from a frustrating scavenger hunt into a efficient loot run.
Causes of the "Problem": Why Can't I Find Candle Holders?
Let's clarify: there's no technical bug preventing spawns. The challenge stems from two key player behaviors:
Conditioned Dismissal: For hours of gameplay, Candle Holders are trash. We train ourselves to ignore them or instantly convert them into currency.High-Competition Loot Zones: When you finally need them, you're competing against other Raiders in public matches who are also looting the same high-value residential areas, either for the same quest or for general supplies.The game doesn't highlight these items, and their spawns are subject to RNG (Random Number Generation) within specific location types. It’s a needle-in-a-haystack scenario, but only if you don’t know which haystacks to search.
Quick Solution (For the Impatient Raider)
Head directly to the
Dam Battlegrounds map. Go to the northwestern corner and loot every drawer, cabinet, refrigerator, and suitcase inside the
Ruby Residence and
Pale Apartments complexes. Use your "Don't Shoot" emote to avoid unnecessary PvP, stash any Candle Holders in your
safe pocket, and extract. Rinse and repeat.
Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions
Follow this battle-tested plan to secure your three Candle Holders efficiently.
Step 1: Prepare Your Loadout.Enter the match with a
free loadout or a cheap, expendable kit. Your goal is loot, not combat. Prioritize mobility. A light build will help you navigate the apartments quickly and disengage from threats.
Step 2: Set Your Destination.From the spawn screen, select the
Dam Battlegrounds map. Mentally mark your target: the cluster of apartment buildings in the
northwest quadrant, specifically named
Ruby Residence and
Pale Apartments on your in-map labels.
Step 3: Land Smartly & Signal Intent.Parachute or maneuver to the roof or a top-floor balcony of one of the apartment buildings. Upon landing, immediately use the
"Don't Shoot" emote or a friendly voice line. This signals to other players in the area that you're there to farm, not fight. While not a guarantee of safety, it often leads to tense but peaceful co-existence.
Step 4: Systematically Loot Every Container.Candle Holders are "Residential" loot. They spawn in place of (or alongside) items like Tools, Consumables, and Gear. You must check:
- Every drawer in bedrooms and kitchens.
- All cabinets, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Refrigerators (they're not just for food!).
- Suitcases and luggage lying on floors or in closets.
- Shelves and counters. Leave nothing unopened.
Step 5: Prioritize the Safe Pocket.The moment you find a Candle Holder, open your inventory and
drag it into your safe pocket. This is non-negotiable. If you die before extracting, you lose everything in your main inventory but keep safe pocket items. This guarantees your progress.

Step 6: Know When to Leave.
Once you've thoroughly combed through one building (or if the area becomes too hot with ARC or player activity), extract. Don't get greedy. A single Candle Holder secured is better than three lost in a firefight.
Step 7: Repeat the Process.
You will likely need multiple runs. Queue up again and repeat Steps 2-6.Consistency is key. These locations have a reliable spawn rate forresidential loot.
Step 8: Alternative Farming Routes.
If the Dam Battlegrounds is too crowded, try the Buried City map. Focus on the Grandioso Apartments and the Pattern House. While the spawn rate feels slightly lower here, the competition might be less fierce.
Step 9: Make the Donation.
Once you have three Candle Holders safely in your persistent inventory on the Speranza, navigate to the Flickering Flames event menu. Go to the Decorations donation tab and contribute your haul.
Step 10: Claim Your Reward.
For your donation, you'll receive the Red Light Stick blueprint. You can learn it for your collection or immediately sell it to a vendor for 5,000 Coins, a nice return on your scavenging effort.
Alternative Solutions & Approaches
- The Silent Partner: Play in Duos or Trios with friends. Have one person act as alookout/security while the others loot, then rotate. Communicate andshare the loot goal.
- The Night Owl: Try playing during off-peak hours for your region. Fewer players in the match mean less competition for the prime looting spots.
- The B-Line: Ignore all other loot. Sprint directly to your target buildings, lootonly containers that can spawn residential items, and extractimmediately. This creates very fast, focused runs.
How to Prevent Future "Junk Loot" Panics
- Hoard Strategically: During normal play, get into the habit of stashing one of every "common" junk item (Candle Holders, Mugs, Plates, etc.) in your warehouse. You never know when an event will require them.
- Check Event Requirements Early: As soon as a new seasonal event launches, preview all donation stages. Identify any tricky items and start looking for them before you reach that stage.
- Learn Loot Categories: Understanding that items are tied to location types (Residential,Industrial, Medical, etc.) will make you a more efficient farmer for any future needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can Candle Holders spawn anywhere else, like in crates or on ARC enemies?
A: No. They are exclusively found as loot inside containers withinhuman-made residential structures. ARC drops and military crates willnot contain them.
Q2: I've done 5 runs and found zero. Is my game broken?
A: It's likely just bad RNG luck and high player traffic. Try thealternative Buried City locations or a different time of day.Persistence pays off.
Q3: What's the point of the Red Light Stick blueprint? Is it useful?
A: Primarily, it's a cosmetic/collection item for completionists. Itspractical value is low, which is why selling it for 5,000 Coins is apopular and sensible choice.
Q4: Can I trade for Candle Holders with other players?
A: No, ARC Raiders does not currently have a player-to-player trading system. You must find them yourself in the world.
Q5: Do I need to extract to keep the Candle Holders for the donation?
A: Yes. Items must be in your persistent inventory on the Speranza. Items only in your match inventory are lost on death. Always use your safe pocket.
The grind for specific loot can test your patience, but the satisfaction of completing that event stage is a victory all its own. Now that you'rearmed with this knowledge, those Candle Holders won't stand a chance.Did this guide light the way for you? Share your own loot-running tipsin the comments below, and let other Raiders know which "junk" item gave you the hardest time! If you found this helpful, explore our otherguides to dominate the landscape of ARC Raiders. Happy raiding
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S
Genre(s): Third-person shooter
Developer(s): Embark Studios
Publisher(s): Embark Studios
Release date: October 30, 2025
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