How to Get the Firefly Burner - Arc Raiders Guide
Introduced in Arc Raiders' "Shrouded Sky" update, the Firefly Burner is a rare and essential component for progressing in the game. Whether you're working on the Weather Monitor System Project or crafting advanced gear, securing this item is a key task for any Raider. Unlike random loot or craftable items, the Firefly Burner can only be obtained by defeating a specific enemy-here's everything you need to know to get it efficiently and safely.
What Is the Firefly Burner, and Why Do You Need It?
Before diving into the hunt, it's important to understand why the Firefly Burner matters. Classified as a rare ARC component, it serves two primary purposes that make it indispensable for serious players.
First, it is a mandatory item for completing the final stage of the Weather Monitor System Project, a permanent in-game project added with the "Shrouded Sky" update. Without it, your progress in this project will stall, locking you out of valuable rewards tied to its completion.
Second, the Firefly Burner is a useful crafting ingredient. When combined with Synthesized Fuel and Crude Explosives at an Explosives Station 3 (along with the Trailblazer ARC Raiders BluePrints), it can be used to craft Trailblazer grenades-a powerful tool for taking down groups of enemies. If you don't need it for crafting or the project, recycling it yields Arc Alloy and Crude Explosives, making it valuable even when surplus.
The Only Way to Get a Firefly Burner: Defeat the Firefly ARC Unit
Unlike many other resources in Arc Raiders, the Firefly Burner cannot be found in chests, looted from random containers, or crafted. The only way to obtain it is by destroying a Firefly-a new flying ARC enemy introduced in the "Shrouded Sky" update.
Fireflies are aerial drones that resemble Hornets (a common flying ARC unit) but with key differences. They have a rounded, stealth-jet style body, shielded front propellers, and a flamethrower mounted underneath-making them far more dangerous than their Hornet counterparts. Their flamethrower attacks are designed for close-range suppression, and they can melt through your armor in seconds if you're caught off guard.
Fortunately, the Firefly Burner has a high drop rate-nearly every destroyed Firefly will drop one. Once the drone crashes, simply loot its wreckage to collect the item. Unlike some other ARC components, there's no need to target a specific core piece; the burner drops directly from the remains with little fanfare.
Where to Find Fireflies in Arc Raiders
Fireflies are not limited to a single map or region, which makes farming them relatively easy compared to rarer ARC variants. They can spawn on every map in the game, but they have specific spawn habits that can help you find them faster.
They prefer open outdoor areas and high-activity combat zones, avoiding narrow corridors or enclosed indoor spaces. Look for them in open areas like loading zones, lobby spaces, or around points of interest (POIs). The Hydroponic Dome Complex Battleground, located in the Dam Battlegrounds region, is widely regarded as the best farming spot due to its open sightlines and frequent Firefly spawns.
Fireflies often patrol in groups with other flying ARC units, particularly Hornets and Wasps. If you spot a swarm of these drones in the sky, there's a high chance a Firefly is among them. You'll also hear a distinct airborne deployment sound when they spawn, which can alert you to their presence before you see them.
Additionally, participating in Matriarch or Harvester events can increase your chances of encountering Fireflies. These events attract smaller ARC units (including Fireflies) that gather around the event's main target, making it easy to take them down while completing other objectives.
How to Defeat Fireflies Safely and Efficiently
While Fireflies are dangerous, they have clear weak points and predictable attack patterns that you can exploit to take them down without wasting gear or health.
First, prioritize stripping their armor. Fireflies have a protective armor layer that reduces damage, so using weapons with strong armor-piercing capabilities (like the Hull Cracker) is ideal. Heavy weapons are also highly effective, as they can deal massive damage and break through armor quickly.
The Firefly's key weak points are its propellers-specifically the front fans (visible from below) and the exposed rear fans. The rear fans are the safest to target, as they are less shielded and provide a consistent damage window. Aim for these fans to disable the drone; destroying both rear fans will often cause the Firefly to crash instantly, making cleanup easy.
Combat strategy is crucial when facing Fireflies. Always keep your distance-their flamethrower is deadly at close range, and dodging its sweeping attacks is difficult even for agile players. Use cover intelligently, and maintain vertical awareness, as Fireflies frequently hover and reposition to get a better angle on you.
If playing in a squad, coordinate your fire: have one player draw the Firefly's aggro while others target its weak points. For solo players, use cover to avoid flames, and focus on the rear fans once the armor is broken. Avoid fighting in enclosed spaces, where the flamethrower's area of effect is harder to dodge.
Critical Tip: Secure Your Loot with a Successful Extraction
Even if you defeat a Firefly and loot the burner, you won't keep it unless you extract successfully from the raid. Dying with the Firefly Burner in your inventory will cause you to lose it, so play cautiously after collecting it.
If you're farming burners, consider extracting early once you have the item-there's no need to risk losing it for extra loot. For solo players, this is especially important, as you won't have teammates to revive you if you get downed.
Farming Tips to Speed Up the Process
To farm Firefly Burners efficiently, follow these tips to minimize time and risk:
Equip armor-piercing or heavy weapons to break through Firefly armor quickly. The Hull Cracker, Renegade, or Ferro are all excellent choices.
Focus on open maps like Stella Montis or the Hydroponic Dome Complex, where Fireflies spawn more frequently and you have room to maneuver.
Play in a duo or squad to split aggro and take down Fireflies faster. Teammates can also revive you if you get hit by the flamethrower.
Bring shields or healing items to counter the Firefly's flamethrower damage. Even a basic shield can buy you time to reposition or finish off the drone.
Stack objectives: combine Firefly farming with other in-game tasks (like Matriarch events or resource collection) to maximize efficiency and avoid boredom.
Final Thoughts
The Firefly Burner may seem tricky to obtain at first, but with the right strategy, it becomes one of the easier rare components to farm in Arc Raiders. By knowing where to find Fireflies, targeting their weak points, and securing a successful extraction, you'll have all the burners you need for the Weather Monitor System Project and advanced crafting. You can choose MMOexp's ARC Raiders Boosting service, or directly purchase reliable cheap ARC Raiders Materials and items to quickly level up and easily enjoy the game!
Remember: patience and preparation are key. Avoid rushing into fights with Fireflies, use cover wisely, and equip the right weapons, and you'll be collecting Firefly Burners in no time. Now gear up, head to the open skies, and show those Firefly drones who's in charge.