1. How to Change Flare Color

GamesRadar notes that holding R opens the color menu. Use the mouse wheel to select a color, then release R to load. Options include cyan, red, yellow, orange and dark blue; the default is green.

Fire flares toward the sky. If the angle is too low, they may fall without forming a visible smoke cloud.

2. Do Colors Have Fixed Meanings?

There is no enforced rule in-game. Public guides describe flares as communication tools, not weapons. A common community habit is green for friendly contact, yellow for caution or keep distance, and red for hostility, but this is player convention, not a system rule.

ColorCommon community meaningRisk
GreenFriendly or trying to communicateMay be a fake signal
YellowCaution, keep distanceCan be misunderstood by other teams
RedHostile or warningMay trigger a fight
Other colorsTeam custom markerStrangers may not understand

3. Extraction Green Smoke Is Not a Normal Signal

After calling extraction, the Trampler releases green smoke. This tells nearby players you are extracting. It does not mean "I am friendly"; it means "I may have loot and I am waiting for the ship."

Before calling, make sure the area is quiet. After calling, keep time away from the ship as short as possible.

4. Practical Rules

  • Without voice, flares can show intent, but do not assume strangers will honor the convention.
  • When carrying Coral Chunks, Weird Coral or a full crate, do not reveal yourself just to say hello.
  • Squads can predefine colors, such as yellow for regroup, blue for retreat and red for fire.
  • Flares have limited duration. Fire too early and teammates may miss it; fire too late and enemies may already be close.

Sources