Quick answer
- Patch 1.13 increases the possible yield from a firefly colony to up to three fireflies.
- The best use is a repeatable route that already passes the colony, not a dedicated cross-map trip for one node.
- Gather after unlocking the nearby travel point and while carrying other route objectives.
Fireflies are a small resource, but the old one-at-a-time rhythm made them easy to ignore. Patch 1.13 changes the calculation: a colony can now pay off more often, especially when you gather it during a route you were already going to run.
What changed
The official 1.13.00 notes say that up to three fireflies can be obtained when gathering from a firefly colony. That is a higher possible yield, not a promise that every interaction produces three. Plan around the improved ceiling.
The efficient route
- Unlock the closest travel point before making the colony part of a farming loop.
- Mark the colony and two or three nearby tasks, camps, or material stops.
- Gather the fireflies on the way through rather than teleporting only for the node.
- Finish the nearby loop, then return when the colony is worth checking again.
- Keep a short note of the yield so you know whether the route saves time.
What to combine with a firefly stop
- A nearby quest turn-in or exploration marker.
- A material route for armor or crafting recipes.
- A settlement visit where you can sell, repair, or check shop stock.
- A region cleanup pass that already includes wildlife and gathering.
Is dedicated firefly farming worth it?
Usually only when a recipe or upgrade is waiting on fireflies and you already have a convenient colony unlocked. For general play, the better habit is opportunistic gathering: mark the colony, collect it while passing, and let the improved yield quietly build your stockpile.
Sources and update note
Checked July 15, 2026. Patch details and known issues can change, so check the official notice again before troubleshooting a fresh install.