Candlelit Scheme is a free A-Rank Armorer W-Engine you can earn through the Spooky Funhouse Tales Halloween event in Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.3. It’s an event reward rather than a W-Engine banner pull. Spooky Funhouse Tales starts October 22 at 10:00 and ends November 30 at 03:59, both in server time.
Claret is a strong match for this DEF-based W-Engine, especially if you’re missing her signature. To get Candlelit Scheme, head into Spooky Funhouse Tales at the HIA Club and work through its event commissions and stages. Challenge Mode’s Fright score is a separate goal, so there’s no need to chase a high score just to start earning the weapon.
How to get Candlelit Scheme in Spooky Funhouse Tales
To enter the event, reach Inter-Knot Level 20 and complete Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission. Travel to the HIA Club and speak to Patsy to begin Spooky Funhouse Tales. You’ll build scare plans and guide Trickmobiles through its Mission Mode stages. You can start the event without clearing every new Version 3.3 story mission.
Complete the event commissions and available Mission Mode stages, then check the rewards in the Spooky Funhouse Tales event interface. Find Candlelit Scheme among the event prizes and collect it when its associated objective has been met. New Mission Mode themes unlock in sequence, so a reward that isn’t available on your first visit may require progress in a later set of stages.
There are three Mission Mode themes, released one after another. Clearing their stages opens the corresponding Challenge Mode content, where you’re trying to improve your Fright score. For Candlelit Scheme, start with the event commissions and stage rewards. Repeating a Challenge Mode run for a bigger score isn’t the advertised method for obtaining the W-Engine.
Candlelit Scheme stats and passive
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Rank | A-Rank |
| Specialty | Armorer |
| Base DEF at Level 60 | 356 |
| Secondary stat at Level 60 | DEF +40% |
| Passive at Overclock 1 | EX Special gives 8% CRIT Rate for 40 seconds; damage to enemies below half HP increases by 15% |
Moment of Fright, Candlelit Scheme’s passive at Overclock 1, gives the equipper 8% CRIT Rate for 40 seconds after an EX Special Attack. The same character deals 15% more damage to enemies whose HP has fallen below 50%. Neither bonus is a team-wide buff.
On a character who uses EX Specials regularly, the CRIT Rate buff is easy to maintain. The damage bonus only kicks in once the enemy is below half health, making Candlelit Scheme more attractive in drawn-out boss encounters than against enemies that die immediately.
The current equipment listing confirms 356 base DEF, a 40% DEF secondary stat and the Moment of Fright effect. Older pre-release references sometimes used the name Candlelight Scheme; the official event name is Candlelit Scheme.
Is Candlelit Scheme good for Claret?
Claret is the obvious current user to consider because she is an Armorer whose damage scales with DEF. Candlelit Scheme has a DEF% secondary stat, and Claret can make use of extra CRIT Rate. This is a much closer fit than a conventional ATK-focused weapon, because Armorer kits use different damage scaling from ordinary Attack Agents.
Claret’s signature Crimson Thirst is tailored to her kit. Catty Luck is another DEF-oriented choice, while Bloodmarrow Coffer offers CRIT Rate support. If you don’t have those weapons built, Candlelit Scheme gives you a free option with a useful DEF stat. Compare the passives before using your upgrade materials.
Candlelit Scheme can also help other DEF-scaling Armorers who use EX Special Attacks frequently. An Agent outside the Armorer specialty can equip it, but cannot activate its specialty-locked passive. That makes it a poor replacement for a weapon matched to their own specialty.
Candlelit Scheme upgrade materials
To upgrade the weapon through Level 60, current databases list 320,000 Dennies, three Armorer Modules, 26 Reinforced Armorer Modules and 24 Specialized Armorer Modules. These are W-Engine materials, separate from the Certification Seals and skill chips needed to level an Agent. Collect the free weapon first; spend on its upgrades once you know who will equip it.
If your Claret already has Crimson Thirst fully built, Candlelit Scheme can remain a spare option. If you lack strong Armorer gear, compare the Level 60 DEF stat and passive with the weapon you’re replacing. It may be particularly useful during boss fights that have an extended phase below half health, where the second part of its passive remains relevant.
When does the Candlelit Scheme reward expire?
The opportunity to claim Candlelit Scheme through Spooky Funhouse Tales ends on November 30, 2026 at 03:59 server time. Clear the necessary missions and collect the reward from the event screen before then. The same activity offers the Prankster and Mischievous Proxy accessories, a Hamster Cage Pass, Polychromes and upgrade resources.
To understand the different modes and other rewards, read our Spooky Funhouse Tales guide. Our earlier free Angels of Delusion outfits guide explains the previous costume missions. The final outfit is claimed through Angels Support Operation, separate from the W-Engine prize.
For more context, see the Version 3.3 events calendar, release details, Armorer specialty guide, Claret overview, banner schedule and Spooky Trial guide.
Related Guides
Official source: HoYoverse’s Spooky Funhouse Tales announcement.
