Flares | Surviving the night DayZ - ArmA 2 mod Guide

Flares are one of the most common loots in the game. They can be thrown at considerable distances and their brightness lights up a big area. Additionally the light penetrates buildings, so a single flare thrown in the middle of the city can help you loot many buildings. Flare however can be also used in another way. They can be used to turn away Zeds' attention, as they instinctively head towards their light. Flares can be picked up and extinguished by approaching them, using the mouse button and choosing "Pick up flare" or "Extinguish flare". After picking up a flare, you can keep it beside you as long as it's on fire. In order to get rid of it, use the mouse button again and select "Drop flare".

Another type of flares is available as ammunition to the M203 grenade launcher, attached to the M16A2 assault rifle. Shot into the air, they very slowly descend to the ground, lighting up a large area around them. That makes them a perfect light source, handy for locating specific objects or other players. Flares from the grenade launcher aren't all that good for looting buildings, as they burn much shorter than the road type. Also remember that shooting such a flare gives away your position. The flares come in white and green and the types of grenades can be changed with the mouse wheel.