Flare Gun

The Flare Gun is featured in Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 4.

Far Cry 3

Flare Gun
Stats
Category	Special
Price	$500
Ammunition	Flare Gun Rounds
Magazine size	1
Maximum ammo	15
Attachment slots	None
Supported attachments	None



«	Flare guns can be used to set things on fire from a distance, take out enemy personnel, or to create distractions. Just remember that they are single-shot weapons.	»
In-Game Description

«	This is a flare gun, sometimes called a “signal pistol”. But the last thing you would use a flare gun for is signalling for help. Why would you want to attract attention to yourself? Flare guns can be used to save your life though, such as when you shoot someone in the face or groin. Remember, in a fight between a flare gun and someone’s groin, the flare gun wins.	»
Survival Guide

The Flare Gun is a single-shot special pistol in Far Cry 3.

This weapon will become free after deactivating 7 Radio Towers.

The Flare Gun can be used for distractions and for voluntary and sometimes involuntary destruction. Even better for distractions than throwing a rock, firing the Flare Gun can give the player an opportunity to move up close for Takedowns when the enemy is distracted. The Flare Gun will come in handy, should the player prefer a stealthy approach. It can be used offensively since firing the Flare Gun at a surface or person will result in a small explosion, igniting anything within its radius. It is also able to kill certain animals, like Tigers and Asian Black Bears, in one shot. It can also down Pirate Heavy Gunners, Privateer Heavy Gunners, and Privateer Heavy Flamers in a single shot. As such, it makes a great last-resort weapon, as it is devastatingly powerful against all human enemies.

Gallery

First-person view of the Flare Gun.

Iron sights of the Flare Gun.

Far Cry 4

Flare Gun
Stats
Category	Special
Ammunition	Flare Gun Rounds
Magazine size	1
Attachment slots	0
Supported attachments	No

«	Single-shot breach-loading signal pistol that excels at setting things on fire from far away.	»
Weapon description

The Flare Gun makes a return in Far Cry 4, along with most of the weapons in Far Cry 3. Its model is based on Far Cry 3's multiplayer Type 10 Flare Gun, now shooting standard flares instead of shotgun shells.

The Flare Gun in Far Cry 4 is far less powerful than its previous incarnation as a dedicated weapon, only able to kill small animals in 1 shot and large animals in 2-3, far too long to fend off a predator attack unless intentionally shot towards the ground. In addition to a lowered damage output, it also makes a poor stealth weapon as the flare gun is not treated as silent. It is only viable at starting fires from a distance, and even then, a Molotov or a Flame Arrow may be more useful. However, it often still kills most human enemies in one shot if the flare directly hits them while they are standing on grass or a flammable surface. The flare will tend to bounce off them directly at their feet and set them on fire, making the weapon still worthwhile if used correctly. As expected, even repeated fires will fail to kill Heavies, forcing the flare gun into a very niche role of starting remote fires and as a last-resort pistol that may set an enemy on fire, if the player is lucky.

The Flare Gun is unlocked by liberating 6 Bell Towers or upon completion of the A Cultural Exchange mission and costs 10,000 rupees.

Gallery

First-person view of the Flare Gun.

The iron sights of the Flare Gun.

Full view

Render

Trivia

• There is another type of Flare Gun called the Type 10 which shoots shotgun shells instead of a flare. It can only be unlocked in multiplayer, but Far Cry 4's Flare Gun reuses the Type 10 model.
• The Flare Gun is capable of causing death, but it takes time since the flare has to make contact with the enemy in order to set them ablaze.
  • It is not a good choice in multiplayer since players can put out the fire easily.
• In Far Cry 3, it is based off the Orion Flare Gun, with an odd gold finish rather than the correct distinctive orange.
• The Flare Gun is used by the Royal Army in the Himalayas almost like a mobile alarm.
• In Real Life, Flare guns can fire shotgun shells, but due to the high pressure, Firing shotgun shells would destroy the flare gun in one shot.
• The Type 10's model in both Far Cry 3 and Far Cry 4 is much too small. It is also interestingly a rare early model with a manual safety, for what it's worth.