In Highguard’s 2026 launch meta, knowing raw weapon stats isn’t just helpful — it’s a competitive advantage. Understanding how weapons truly perform in damage, fire rate, reload, and engagements across match phases lets you build higher‑impact loadouts than players relying solely on felt impressions or tier lists.
This guide goes beyond simple rankings. We’ll break down comprehensive weapon stats based on hands‑on playtesting, explain how to interpret key figures like DPS and headshot multipliers, and offer strategic advice for weapon combinations that win fights from Scavenge to Raid.
📊 Highguard Weapon Stat Sheet (Launch Arsenal, 2026)
Highguard launches with ten combat weapons available from the start — plus siege tools and melee. Every Warden can carry two primary weapons, one Raid Tool, and an axe for Vesper harvesting.
Here’s the definitive stat table based on repeated playtests:
| Weapon | Type | Clip/Rounds | Body Dmg | Head Dmg | Fire Rate (shots/sec) | Max DPS | Reload (sec) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger | Sniper | 4 | 85 | 148 | 2.0 | 296 | 3.2 |
| Kraken | Shotgun | 4 | 10/pellet | 15/pellet | 1.6 | 208 | 1.8–4.2 |
| Paladin | Shotgun | 14 | 5/pellet | 10/pellet | 6.4 | 318 | 1.7 |
| Corsair | SMG | 24 | 12 | 18 | 15.0 | 270 | 2.2 |
| Viper | SMG | 26 | 10 | 15 | 16.3 | 244 | 1.7 |
| Dynasty | Assault Rifle | 22 | 14 | 24 | 10.0 | 240 | 2.2 |
| Vanguard | Assault Rifle | 36 | 9 | 14 | 13.3 | 187 | 2.0 |
| Saber Rifle | Burst AR | 21 | 18 | 27 | 7.2 | 196 | 2.0 |
| Longhorn | Revolver | 5 | 65 | 97 | 1.4 | 131 | 2.4 |
| Big Rig | Gatling Gun | 60 | 30 | 37 | 6.7 | 247 | 4.0 |
Stats aggregated from extensive playtesting results.
🧠 Understanding Combat Numbers: DPS, Headshots & Reality
Raw numbers look impressive on paper, but what do they actually mean in battle?
📌 DPS vs. Damage Output
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Max DPS shows theoretical max damage per second.
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Paladin’s shotgun has the highest raw DPS — but only if every pellet hits at close range.
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Dynasty excels in mid‑range sustained DPS with a balanced fire rate and recoil.
🎯 Headshot Multipliers
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High headshot damage (e.g., 148 on Ranger) rewards precision and makes sniper picks devastating in long sightlines.
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Revolvers like the Longhorn also benefit greatly from headshots, useful in duels and mount‑combat scenarios.
⏱ Reload & Tactical Trade‑Offs
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Big Rig offers huge magazines, but its 4‑second reload leaves you vulnerable.
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Weapons like Vanguard offer smoother reloads and forgiving recoil, making them reliable across phases.
📍 Weapon Archetype Breakdown: Know Your Roles
Highguard weapons are split into engagement categories. Choosing complementary types is key.
🔫 Assault Rifles: The Mid‑Range Backbone
Dynasty – All‑rounder rifle with steady DPS, good range, and manageable recoil. Great for general encounters and mount combat.
Vanguard – Most beginner‑friendly with large magazine and consistent performance.
Saber Rifle – Burst‑fire option with high burst damage but requires precision.
💥 SMGs & Shotguns: Close Quarters Power
Corsair SMG – High DPS, excels at close range and in raids where structure damage matters.
Viper SMG – Fast firing and easier recoil — a strong pick for sustained CQB pressure.
Paladin Shotgun – Theoretical highest DPS but situational outside point‑blank fights.
Kraken Shotgun – Heavy hits but less reliable against players due to wide spread.
🎯 Marksman & Precision Tools
Ranger Sniper Rifle – The solo sniper in the game, ideal for controlling space and securing objectives like Shieldbreaker.
Longhorn Revolver – High per‑shot damage and utility for mount engagements and duels.
🔥 Heavy & Situational
Big Rig LMG – Care package exclusive. Massive firepower and suppressing potential, but heavy and slow to reload.
🧠 Weapon Rarity & Modifiers (Why Stats Change)
Weapons come in multiple rarities — Blue, Purple, Gold, and Red (care package only). Higher rarity weapons often include perks like:
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Larger magazines
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Reduced recoil
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Faster reload
Trading up to better variants improves weapon effectiveness well beyond the base stats shown here.
📈 Strategic Loadouts by Match Phase
Weapon choices should evolve with the match flow:
🟢 Early Game (Loot & Scavenge)
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Go versatile: Dynasty + Viper or Vanguard + Corsair for balanced range coverage.
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Use your axe to harvest Vesper for upgrades and tools.
🟡 Mid Game (Intercept / Shieldbreaker)
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Control sightlines with Ranger sniper or pivot to mid‑range with Dynasty.
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Pair with a reliable close‑range option like Corsair for emergency fights.
🔴 End Game (Raid)
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Attacking: Corsair + Rocket Launcher or Big Rig offers heavy structure damage and firepower.
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Defending: Big Rig or Kraken to punish pushes and hold choke points.
🧠 Pro‑Tips from the Community
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Balanced loadouts dominate: Combining long‑range and CQB weapons helps cover all phases.
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Loot smart: Find rarer weapon variants in chests or pay Vesper to upgrade — stats are important.
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Mix roles: Close‑quarter dominance wins fights inside bases, but ranged control seals important duels.
Community feedback also notes that weapon progression and balance will evolve with updates, and there’s early discussion about optimization issues at launch, so expect meta shifts.
🏁 Conclusion: Master Stats, Master Combat
Knowing the stats behind each weapon in Highguard gives you the edge in engagements, from early skirmishes to brutal raid phases. Memorize key figures, understand weapon roles, and evolve your loadouts as matches shift from open combat to base siege.
Now that you’re armed with both data and strategy — go break some walls.
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