The Chinese version of ARC Raiders—officially titled Ark Light Hunters (弧光猎手)—co-developed and published by Tencent, launched its dedicated regional beta on June 24, 2026. This version operates on a completely separate standalone client from the global Embark Studios game, introducing exclusive gameplay adjustments, quality-of-life mechanics, and entirely new match formats.
If you are looking to cross over and see how the Tencent client plays, navigating the setup and the altered gameplay loop can be tricky. This guide covers how to get client access and how to survive your first crucial drops.
How to Access the Chinese Client
Because the game is tailored specifically for mainland China, getting into a match requires jumping through a few specific regional loops rather than just launching your usual global storefront.
- Log-in Credentials: The game runs entirely on Tencent’s infrastructure. You must have an active WeChat or QQ account to log into the Tencent WeGame launcher, which serves as the exclusive host for the game client.
- Identity Verification: In compliance with local regulations, the WeGame platform requires a valid Chinese Mainland ID registration to activate the download and authorize gameplay.
- Network Routing: If you are trying to connect from outside mainland China, standard network routes will likely cause authentication errors or unplayable latency. You will need a premium gaming VPN or network accelerator configured with a mainland China node to stabilize your connection to the servers.
Understanding Chinese Client Exclusive Features
Tencent's version introduces a handful of systems that make the extraction loop slightly more forgiving for beginners, while also reworking how high-stakes PvP encounters function:
- Quick Loadout Presets: A massive quality-of-life upgrade. You can configure up to three distinct equipment presets in your bunker. This lets you re-kit instantly between raids instead of manually clicking and dragging individual items after a bad run.
- "For Beginners" Map Condition: This is a specialized matchmaking queue meant entirely for learning. It features a significantly reduced ARC machine count and far fewer hostile players, making it the perfect sandbox to memorize map layouts and escape routes without getting instantly punished.
- PvE Rebellion Mode: A specialized match type where friendly fire is disabled by default—Raiders cannot attack each other. The entire lobby works as a cooperative unit to hunt down heavy machinery and secure high-tier ARC probes, making it highly efficient for farming components.
- Going Rogue (Defection System): In standard matches, PvP is a deliberate choice. If you want to hunt other players, you must actively toggle your rogue status. Doing so places a distinct red marker over your head and activates a red light on your backpack. This alerts everyone in the area to your hostile intentions, immediately turning you into a high-value target.
First 5 Steps for New Players
1. Abuse the Free Loadout Option
When starting fresh at tier zero with an empty stash, do not risk what little gear you have. Always look for the Free Loadout option before deploying. It gives you a random weapon, basic ammunition, a starter shield, and bandages completely free of charge. Use these runs to build up an initial baseline of supplies risk-free.
2. Master Sound and Movement Mechanics
Sound is your absolute biggest liability in Ark Light Hunters. Always holster your weapon when running; it noticeably increases your raw movement speed and dampens the audio profile of your footsteps. Additionally, slide while sprinting to conserve your stamina pool. Be careful where you step—avoid breaking glass, slamming doors open, or mindlessly sprinting through high-tier landmark locations where experienced squads usually lie in wait.
3. Prioritize Your Loot Pockets
Whenever you track down rare blueprints or essential upgrade parts, drop them immediately into your Safe Pocket (the Augment slot). If you get eliminated, items in your standard backpack drop to the floor for anyone to steal, but items secured inside your Safe Pocket stay with you even if you fail to extract.
4. Pick Your Map Wisely
Begin your journey exclusively on the Dam Battlegrounds map during the daytime. Avoid queuing into night variations early on. When darkness hits, the map conditions alter dramatically—highly aggressive, heavily armored ARC variants spawn in greater numbers, and your available extraction points become severely limited.
5. Extract Early and Play Defensively
Greed is the fastest way back to the bunker with nothing to show for it. If your inventory is heavily loaded with mechanical scraps, wires, or springs needed for a specific workshop upgrade, immediately head to an extraction point (marked by the down-arrow beacons on your HUD). Do not wait for the match timer to run low; late-round extraction points are frequently gate-kept by players looking for easy loot.
Essential Early Game Progression Upgrades
Prioritize your early savings and workshop materials on these specific upgrades to maximize your efficiency:
| Stash Expansion | 5,000 Coins | Crucial for early progression. It drastically increases your underground storage space so you can hoard essential crafting components rather than discarding them. |
| Scrappy the Rooster | Workshop Interaction | An automated helper that gathers passive crafting materials in the background while you are out on raids or offline. Get this running immediately. |
| Marathon Runner Skill | Pre-req: Nimble Climber | Enhances your overall sprint stamina pool, giving you the extra gas needed to break line of sight and successfully escape losing engagements. |
| Used to the Weight Perk | Skill Tree | Ignores the movement weight penalties imposed by carrying shields, significantly boosting your base movement speed and overall carrying capacity. |
