The world of ARC Raiders is filled with deadly robotic enemies, each designed to challenge Raiders in different ways. Among the newest and most dangerous airborne threats is the Firefly, a highly aggressive ARC unit capable of overwhelming players with relentless fire attacks.
Unlike ground-based enemies such as Ticks or heavy units like Matriarchs, Fireflies dominate the battlefield from above. Their close-range flame attacks and heavy armor make them one of the most dangerous robotic enemies you’ll encounter during a run.
However, defeating Fireflies is well worth the effort. They drop valuable materials, especially Firefly Burners, a key component used to craft powerful explosives and advanced ARC Raiders Items.
This guide explains where to find Fireflies, how to defeat them efficiently, and how to farm their valuable drops to strengthen your arsenal.
What Are Fireflies in ARC Raiders?
Fireflies are aggressive flying ARC units that appear across multiple maps in ARC Raiders. While they technically spawn everywhere, they appear far more frequently in two key areas:
·Spaceport
·The Blue Gate
If your goal is to farm Firefly Burners quickly, these maps provide the highest encounter rates and the most reliable farming routes.
Fireflies usually travel alone but can sometimes appear alongside other aerial ARC units such as Wasps or Hornets. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to identify.
You can recognize a Firefly by:
·A longer, flatter body shape
·A louder engine sound compared to other drones
·Aggressive close-range flight behavior
Unlike Hornets that hover at a distance, Fireflies aggressively pursue Raiders and attempt to attack from close range.
Why Fireflies Are So Dangerous
Fireflies rely on a flamethrower-style weapon system that deals continuous damage to both shields and health. This attack has several dangerous characteristics:
·Damages health and shields simultaneously
·Burns through health slightly faster than shields
·Applies a burn effect that continues dealing damage over time
This makes Fireflies particularly deadly in tight environments such as corridors, staircases, or enclosed rooms. If you get trapped without cover, they can quickly eliminate you, especially if other ARC enemies or rival Raiders are nearby.
To make matters worse, Fireflies are tougher than many other flying units. Their reinforced armor means weaker weapons struggle to deal significant damage.
Best Weapons for Destroying Fireflies
To defeat Fireflies consistently, you’ll want weapons that offer Medium ARC Penetration or higher.
One excellent option is the Anvil, a dependable weapon that can be purchased from Tian Wen’s shop relatively early in your progression. Its combination of penetration and sustained firepower makes it effective against airborne threats.
When engaging Fireflies, focus on the following strategy:
·Aim for the front engines
·Damaging engines disrupts their flight control
·This forces them to fly lower or lose stability
·Use this moment to reposition or finish them off
Targeting weak points dramatically shortens the fight and prevents them from maintaining their dangerous flame attack.
Best Explosives for Firefly Encounters
Grenades are extremely effective against Fireflies because of their combat behavior.
Unlike Hornets, Fireflies stay relatively close to their target and don’t move erratically, making them easier to hit with explosives.
Two of the most effective grenade types include:
·Seeker Grenades – Automatically track ARC enemies
·Trigger Grenades – Allow precise manual detonation
Well-timed explosives can destroy a Firefly quickly, breaking through its armor before it can deal sustained damage.
Using explosives alongside strong firearms is one of the most reliable ways to farm valuable ARC Raiders Items from these enemies.
Important Safety Warning: Firefly Crash Zones
Defeating a Firefly doesn’t end the danger immediately.
When destroyed, Fireflies explode and leave behind a burning fire zone on the ground. This lingering hazard behaves similarly to a Fireball effect and can damage players who step into it.
Be cautious when:
·Fighting multiple ARC enemies at once
·Moving into loot a destroyed Firefly
·Engaging in close-range combat
Even experienced players can be caught off guard by residual fire damage.
Firefly Drops: What Loot You Can Expect
Each Firefly guarantees several valuable drops. The most important item is the Firefly Burner, which is required for crafting powerful explosives.
Guaranteed drops include:
·1 Firefly Burner
·1 Simple Gun Parts
·5 Chemicals
·1 Arc Powercell
Occasionally, you may also receive bonus loot such as:
·Crude Explosives
·Explosive Compound
Because Fireflies reliably drop Burners, they are one of the most consistent targets for players looking to expand their supply of crafting materials.
How to Use Firefly Burners
The primary use of Firefly Burners is crafting the Trailblazer Grenade, a powerful explosive that offers strong crowd control and area denial.
Trailblazer crafting requirements include:
·1 Synthesized Fuel
·2 Crude Explosives
·1 Firefly Burner
However, crafting this grenade requires additional progression milestones:
·Explosives Station Level 3 unlocked
·Trailblazer Blueprint obtained
Once unlocked, Trailblazer grenades become one of the most useful ARC Raiders Items for both PvE and PvP encounters.
Blueprint Strategy and Crafting Optimization
Blueprint progression plays a huge role in maximizing the value of materials you collect.
Some players prefer farming high-level maps repeatedly to find rare blueprints, while others choose to buy ARC Raiders Blueprints through external marketplaces to accelerate their progression.
Unlocking explosive crafting recipes early allows you to fully utilize Firefly Burners and other rare materials obtained from combat.
Combining strong weapons with explosive tools creates a versatile loadout capable of handling both airborne and ground-based ARC threats.
Best Maps for Farming Fireflies
Spaceport
Spaceport is one of the most popular Firefly farming locations due to its high ARC activity.
Advantages include:
·High Firefly spawn rates
·Dense loot areas
·Frequent ARC encounters
However, Spaceport also attracts experienced Raiders farming high-value ARC Raiders Items, so expect frequent PvP encounters.
The Blue Gate
The Blue Gate offers a slightly different farming experience.
Key features include:
·Higher-tier enemy spawns
·Greater overall difficulty
·Open terrain that improves aerial visibility
Fireflies are easier to spot in the open spaces here, but combat can be riskier due to limited cover.
Farming Tips for Maximum Efficiency
To maximize your Firefly farming runs, follow these tips:
1. Bring Medium ARC Penetration weapons.
2. Carry at least one Seeker or Trigger grenade.
3. Fight in open areas when possible.
4. Eliminate other ARC threats before engaging Fireflies.
5. Avoid rushing into burning crash zones.
If your goal is to farm Burners quickly, prioritize mobility and efficient extraction routes.
Final Thoughts
Fireflies are among the most aggressive airborne enemies in ARC Raiders, but they also provide one of the most consistent sources of crafting materials.