Highguard doesn’t ease you in — it drops you straight into a high-stakes PvP sandbox where strategy matters as much as gun skill. If your first few matches felt confusing, slow, or chaotic, you’re not alone. Since its surprise launch on January 26, 2026, Highguard has pulled in massive player numbers and sparked heated debate about pacing, balance, and depth.
This guide cuts through the noise.
Whether you’re here because of curiosity, hype, or mixed reviews, this complete beginner’s guide breaks down how Highguard actually works, what new players do wrong, and how to start winning matches without grinding for dozens of hours.
What Is Highguard? (Quick Overview)
Highguard is a free-to-play, cross-platform PvP raid shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio founded by former developers from Apex Legends, Titanfall, and other major shooters.
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Teams: 3v3 (Wardens)
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Goal: Capture the Shieldbreaker sword and use it to destroy the enemy base
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Core Pillars:
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Base defense & destruction
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PvP gunfights
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Looting & raid tools
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Objective-driven match flow
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Unlike traditional hero shooters, kills don’t win games — objectives do.
The Highguard Match Loop (The Most Important Thing to Learn)
Every match follows a three-phase loop. Understanding this loop instantly puts you ahead of most new players.
Phase 1: Preparation & Scavenging
Matches start quietly — and that’s intentional.
1. Base Selection & Fortification
Each team chooses a base with unique layouts, choke points, and generator placements.
Beginner tip:
Reinforce generator walls first, not outer decorations. Early defenses can completely shut down sloppy raids later.
2. Looting With Purpose
You’ll mount up and explore the map to collect:
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Weapons & armor upgrades
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Vesper (currency)
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Raid Tools (critical for breaching bases)
Avoid wandering alone. Dying early hands your loot to the enemy and slows your entire team.
3. The Traveling Merchant
Occasionally appears and sells powerful gear.
Rule of thumb:
Buy one impactful upgrade — don’t drain your entire economy.
Phase 2: The Shieldbreaker Clash (First True PvP Spike)
A magical storm signals the spawn of the Shieldbreaker sword — the match’s central objective.
Securing the Sword
This is usually the first major team fight. Winning it gives your team control of the match’s momentum.
Escorting the Carrier
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The Shieldbreaker carrier glows and moves slower
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Mounts become critical for fast delivery
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Terrain, smoke, and distractions matter more than kills
Planting the sword on the enemy base:
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Deals shield damage
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Triggers the Raid Phase
Phase 3: The Raid (Attack or Defend)
This is where matches are won or lost.
If You’re Attacking
Your objectives:
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Destroy two Minor Generators (35 damage each)
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OR destroy the Main Core for an instant win
Key mechanics:
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Shared respawn pool (every death matters)
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Raid tools open new attack paths
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Bombs must be planted and defended
If You’re Defending
Your goals:
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Funnel attackers into kill zones
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Listen for wall-breaking audio cues
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Defuse bombs immediately
A successful defense resets the match back to Phase 1 — but with stronger loot across the map.
This escalation is why late-game raids feel far more intense.
Warden Roles Explained (Beginner-Friendly Breakdown)
Highguard launches with eight Wardens, divided into tactical roles.
Recommended Roles for New Players
Defense
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Area denial, shields, choke control
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Best for learning base layouts and raid timing
Recon
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Scouting, enemy tracking, intel
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Strong impact without mechanical stress
Assault
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Straightforward gunplay
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Best for confident FPS players
Beginner Picks:
Wardens with simple kits and defensive or recon utility help you learn the game faster than high-risk assassins.
Raid Tools, Weapons & Mounts (What Actually Matters Early)
Best Early Raid Tools
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Blast Hammer: Reliable wall destruction
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Rocket Launcher: Fast breach creation
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Zipline Tool: Escapes, flanks, bomb defense
Mounts Aren’t Just Travel
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Fast mounts: Sword delivery & rotations
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Tanky mounts: Escorting under fire
Common mistake:
Treating mounts like taxis instead of tactical assets.
Highguard’s Launch Reality (What New Players Should Know)
Highguard launched to:
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Huge player interest (nearly 100K concurrent players on Steam)
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Mixed-to-negative user reviews
Common Player Complaints
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Slow pacing early in matches
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Small 3v3 team size
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Limited quality-of-life features
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Technical barriers (see below)
What Players Like
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Base raids feel unique
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Mount-based objectives add tension
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Objective focus rewards teamwork
Why this matters:
Many players quit early because they misunderstand the loop — not because the game lacks depth.
System Requirements & Technical Notes (Important)
Highguard uses Easy Anti-Cheat and requires:
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Secure Boot enabled
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TPM 2.0
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Windows 11 (recommended)
This has blocked some players from launching the game, especially on older PCs or Linux systems.
If Highguard won’t launch:
Check BIOS Secure Boot + TPM settings first.
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Chasing kills instead of objectives
❌ Looting endlessly while ignoring Shieldbreaker timing
❌ Roaming solo in a 3v3 game
❌ Ignoring mounts during sword delivery
❌ Burning all respawns early in a raid
Highguard FAQ (SEO-Friendly)
Is Highguard free to play?
Yes — monetization is cosmetic only.
Does Highguard have Ranked mode?
Not at launch, but Ranked is planned in early 2026 updates.
Is Highguard cross-play?
Yes — PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Why are reviews mixed?
Pacing, technical restrictions, and expectations vs reality.
What’s Next for Highguard in 2026?
Wildlight Entertainment has confirmed:
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Multiple Episodes throughout 2026
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New Wardens, maps, and raid tools
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Competitive and ranked features coming post-launch
Highguard is very much a live-service game in motion.
Final Thoughts: How to Enjoy Highguard as a New Player
Highguard rewards:
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Patience
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Communication
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Objective awareness
Your first wins won’t come from perfect aim — they’ll come from understanding the loop and making smart decisions under pressure.
Once you’re comfortable, the next step is mastery:
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Specific Warden synergies
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Optimal raid routes per map
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Advanced generator defense setups
The battlefield will teach the rest.
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