If you’ve spent any time exploring the fog-shrouded valleys of Embervale, you know how quickly darkness can turn a simple resource run into a disaster. Creepy enemies lurk in unlit corners, your comfort stat drops fast in dark spaces, and it’s easy to get lost in cave systems without a reliable light source. That’s why figuring out how to make candles enshrouded is one of the most useful early-game crafting skills you can master. Even if you’re still working on upgrading your workbench, these small, portable light sources are far easier to carry around than torches, and they last way longer when placed in your base or outpost.
How to Make Candles in Enshrouded: Required Materials and First Steps
One of the biggest misconceptions new players have about how to make candles enshrouded is that they require rare materials, but that’s not true at all. You don’t need any late-game unlocks to start making candles, but you will need to gather three core materials before you can craft your first batch. You’ll also need access to a Basic Workbench, which you can build within the first hour of starting a new playthrough. The materials you’ll need per 4-pack of candles are:
- 2 Tallow: Dropped by all neutral and hostile wildlife you hunt, including deer, boars, and wolves. You’ll get 1-2 tallow per animal you skin, so a quick 10-minute hunt around your starting base will net you enough for a dozen candles.
- 1 String: Crafted from 3 Plant Fiber, which you can collect by picking up small bushes and grass tufts all over the starting area. You probably already have a stack of this in your inventory if you’ve been crafting basic tools.
- 1 Beeswax: Collected from beehives found in forested areas, usually hanging from oak trees. You don’t need any special tools to harvest it, just punch the hive a few times (just watch out for angry bees, they do small damage but are easy to swat away).
Once you have all three materials, simply interact with your workbench, navigate to the “Lighting” tab, and select the candle recipe to craft as many as you need. This recipe is available from the very start of the game, no quest unlocks required, so you can start making candles as soon as you gather your first batch of materials.
Key Uses for Candles in Your Enshrouded Playthrough
If you’re still struggling with dark areas early on, knowing how to make candles enshrouded will solve 90% of your navigation and safety problems. Candles have three core uses that make them worth crafting in bulk, even when you have other priorities for your materials. First, they provide permanent light for path marking. Torches burn out after a few minutes, but candles placed on the ground or on walls last indefinitely, so you can mark paths through the shroud or cave systems so you don’t get lost on return trips. I used to carry two stacks of torches with me every time I went into a cave, until I realized I could just place candles as I go and leave them there for future runs. It saves so much inventory space, and I never have to worry about my light going out mid-fight with a cave troll.
Second, they boost your base comfort stat. The comfort stat determines how fast your health and stamina regenerate when you’re in your base, and each candle adds a small comfort boost. Stack a few around your bed and crafting stations, and you’ll notice you recover way faster after a tough fight. Third, they deter low-level shroud enemies. Most small shroud creatures like wraithlings won’t come within 5 feet of a lit candle, so placing a ring of them around your outpost will keep you safe while you’re crafting or storing loot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making and Using Candles
Even though candles are simple to craft and use, there are a few common mistakes new players make that waste materials or leave them without light when they need it most. First, don’t use candles in open, windy areas. If you place a candle outside during a rainstorm or in a high-altitude area with strong wind, it will go out after 30 seconds, so it’s a waste of materials. Stick to placing candles indoors, in caves, or in enclosed shrouded areas where wind and rain can’t reach them. If you need outdoor lighting, go for torches or lanterns instead, those are weatherproof.
Second, don’t waste beeswax on too many candles early game. Beeswax is also used to craft healing salves and sealant for building upgrades, so don’t use all your stock on candles. I usually keep 20 beeswax reserved for healing items, and only use extra for candle crafting. Third, don’t place candles too far apart. The light radius for a single candle is only about 8 feet, so if you place them more than 10 feet apart, you’ll have dark gaps between them where enemies can spawn. I place them every 6 feet when I’m marking a cave path, that way the light overlaps and there are no dark spots. Fourth, don’t forget to pick up candles when you abandon an outpost. If you’re moving your base to a new area, you can pick up placed candles with your hammer and reuse them, no material loss. I used to leave them behind all the time, until I realized I was wasting dozens of tallow and beeswax every time I moved.
Upgrades to Unlock Better Candles Later in the Game
Once you progress past the early game and unlock new NPCs and crafting stations, you’ll get access to upgraded candle variants that offer even more benefits. The first upgrade you’ll likely unlock is Scented Candles, which become available after you rescue the Alchemist NPC from the shroud. These require the same base materials as regular candles plus 1 Lavender, and they give a 20% higher comfort boost than regular candles, plus they repel even mid-level shroud enemies. I use these in my main base, and they make my health and stamina regen almost instant when I’m home.
The second upgrade is Glow Candles, which you unlock after you find glow moss in the deepest cave systems. These use glow moss instead of beeswax, and they emit a brighter blue light that can cut through even the thickest parts of the shroud. They’re perfect for exploring the foggiest parts of the map, where regular candle light barely shows up. You can also unlock candle holders once you upgrade your Carpenter’s workbench, which let you mount candles on walls and ceilings without them falling off, and they add extra decor to your base. These upgrades aren’t necessary to enjoy the game, but they make exploration and base building far more enjoyable once you have the resources to craft them.
Even if you’re focused on building better armor or upgrading your base, don’t sleep on crafting candles as one of your first priorities in Embervale. They’re cheap, easy to make, and offer so many benefits that make every part of the game less frustrating and more fun. Next time you’re heading out for a resource run, take a few minutes to craft a batch before you leave, and you’ll quickly see why learning how to make candles enshrouded is a skill every new player should pick up as early as possible. If you have your own favorite uses for candles that we didn’t mention, feel free to share them in the comments below!