Highguard PvP raid shooter beginner guide featuring Wardens and raid gameplay

Highguard Beginner Guide: Tips to Dominate the Raid Loop (2026)

After putting in serious time with Highguard since its January 26 launch, I can confirm the raid mechanics genuinely deliver something fresh. This free-to-play PvP shooter from the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall blends hero abilities, mounted combat, and base-raiding into a surprisingly deep 3v3 experience.

Whether you're jumping in for the first time or struggling to understand the match flow, this Highguard beginner guide breaks down everything you need to dominate from day one.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

  • Match structure: 4 phases — Fortification → Looting → Shieldbreaker → Raid
  • Win condition: Destroy the enemy base's anchor stone or enough generators
  • Key objective: Capture the Shieldbreaker sword to break enemy shields
  • Team composition: Balance Assault, Defensive, and Support Wardens
  • Best starter Warden: Kai (Defensive) for staying alive while learning

What Is Highguard?

Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio founded by former developers from Respawn Entertainment who worked on Titanfall and Apex Legends. The game launched on January 26, 2026 for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-play enabled.

Unlike traditional shooters, Highguard is built around a unique raid loop where two teams of three Wardens battle for territory. You'll ride mounts across vast maps, loot gear to upgrade your loadout, fight for control of the legendary Shieldbreaker sword, and ultimately raid the enemy base to destroy it. Matches last anywhere from 8 to 30 minutes depending on how evenly matched the teams are.

Understanding the Match Phases

Every Highguard match follows a structured four-phase loop. Understanding each phase is crucial for success.

Phase 1: Fortification

The match begins with your team choosing a stronghold from several options. Each base has different layouts, chokepoints, and defensive positions. Once you've selected your base, you have a short window to:

  • Reinforce walls and defensive structures
  • Customize your weapon loadout
  • Plan your team's strategy

Tip: Pick a base that suits your team composition. If you have multiple Defensive Wardens, choose a base with strong chokepoints.

Phase 2: Looting & Escalation

Once fortification ends, your team mounts up and rides into the open world. During this phase, you'll:

  • Loot weapons, armor, and equipment from containers
  • Harvest Vesper (the in-game currency)
  • Trade with roaming Merchants for high-tier gear
  • Encounter enemy teams while exploring

Gear rarity increases with each raid cycle, so even if you lose the first Shieldbreaker fight, you'll have better equipment for the next round.

Phase 3: Shieldbreaker Clash

A magical storm forms on the map, spawning the Shieldbreaker sword at its center. This legendary weapon is the only way to break through enemy base shields. Both teams race to the storm's location and fight for control of the sword.

Critical: Carrying the Shieldbreaker makes you a high-priority target. If you're eliminated while carrying it, the enemy can pick it up and raid your base instead.

Phase 4: The Raid

Once you successfully deliver the Shieldbreaker to the enemy base, their shields drop and the raid begins. Attackers must breach defenses and plant bombs on generators to destroy the base. Defenders need to protect their generators and repel attackers until the Siege Tower's energy depletes.

Win conditions:

  • Destroy multiple generators to chip away at base strength
  • Destroy the anchor stone for an instant win
  • Defend until the Siege Tower depletes (if defending)

If neither team wins outright, shields regenerate, loot quality increases, and a new Shieldbreaker spawns—starting the cycle again.

All Warden Classes Explained

Highguard launches with eight playable Wardens divided into five role categories. Each Warden has a passive ability, a tactical ability with a short cooldown, and a powerful ultimate.

Assault Wardens

Atticus (Lightning)
Role: Zone control and aggressive pushes
Passive: Supercharged Axe — melee attacks release electrical explosions
Tactical: Shockspear — throws a lightning spear that shocks nearby enemies
Ultimate: Powerstorm — rains lightning spears from above, devastating structures and players

Slade (Fire)
Role: Area denial and zoning
Passive: Firebomb — explosions spread magma on the ground
Tactical: Heatwave — sends a wave of molten fire forward
Ultimate: Firestorm — rains fire onto a targeted area

Scarlet (Stealth)
Role: Flanking and assassination
Passive: Shifting Sands — can pass through destructible walls by turning them to sand
Tactical: Sandstorm — enters stealth mode, hidden from enemies at range
Ultimate: Whirling Blades — throws up to 6 deadly daggers, kills reset ability cooldowns

Defensive Wardens

Kai (Ice)
Role: Fortification and frontline tank
Passive: Frozen Repair — can repair broken walls by coating them in ice
Tactical: Ice Wall — deploys a solid ice barrier to block sightlines
Ultimate: Frost Giant — transforms into a powerful ice demon with increased toughness

Una (Spirits)
Role: Disruption and resource gathering
Passive: Helping Hand — gains extra resource drops during Gear Up phase
Tactical: Forest Wisps — summons spirits that throw grenades at enemies
Ultimate: Tree Walker — summons a large forest spirit that throws explosive spirits

Recon Warden

Condor
Role: Intelligence gathering and enemy tracking
Passive: Hunter's Instinct — trained bird alerts you when enemies are nearby
Tactical: Eyes in the Sky — bird scans an area and reveals moving enemies
Ultimate: Soaring Guardian — launches smoke clouds that reveal enemies in their wake

Support Warden

Mara
Role: Team survivability and strategic support
Abilities: Focused on healing, buffing allies, and managing team survivability. Essential for extended raid fights.

Destruction Warden

Redmane
Role: Base breaching and chaos creation
Passive: Enraged — gains movement and reload speed after eliminations
Tactical: Pounce — charges forward, smashing through breakable walls
Ultimate: Beast's Roar — destroys walls and structures in a cone, damages enemies

Beginner Tips to Win More Matches

1. Stay With Your Team

Highguard is a team game. Solo plays rarely work. Stick together during looting, Shieldbreaker fights, and raids. Coordinate your pushes and retreats.

2. Learn One Warden First

Don't spread yourself thin. Pick one Warden and master their kit before branching out. Kai is excellent for beginners—his defensive abilities keep you alive while learning the mechanics.

3. Don't Chase the Shieldbreaker Carrier Alone

If an enemy grabs the Shieldbreaker, don't chase them solo. Rally your team for an ambush or set up defense at your base.

4. Use Mounts Strategically

Mounts aren't just for travel—they're combat tools. Use them to flank, quickly reposition during fights, and escape when outnumbered. Protect your mount; losing it reduces your mobility significantly.

5. Balance Your Team Composition

A team of three Assault Wardens will struggle. Aim for at least one Defensive or Support Warden for survivability, plus a Destruction or Assault for offensive pressure.

6. Loot Efficiently

Don't spend all your time looting. Grab what you need quickly and move toward the Shieldbreaker spawn. Better gear helps, but positioning often matters more.

7. Communicate During Raids

Whether attacking or defending, call out enemy positions. Voice chat dramatically improves coordination, especially during the chaotic raid phase.

Pro Tips

  • Sometimes letting enemies take the Shieldbreaker is smart — ambush them on the way to your base when they're vulnerable
  • Pair close-range and long-range weapons — versatility wins fights
  • Kai's Frozen Repair is invaluable during raids — he can rebuild destroyed walls mid-fight
  • Scarlet's wall-phasing passive is a raid game-changer — use it to bypass defenses entirely
  • Play the objective, not the kills — destroying generators wins matches, not elimination counts
  • Learn base layouts — knowing where generators are located speeds up raids significantly
  • Ranked mode arrives in Episode 2 (February 2026) — practice now to be ready

FAQ

Is Highguard free to play?

Yes. Highguard is completely free to play with optional cosmetic purchases. All core content, including new Wardens, maps, and modes released in future Episodes, is free for everyone.

Is Highguard cross-platform?

Yes. Highguard supports full cross-play between PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. You can team up with friends regardless of platform.

How long do Highguard matches last?

Matches typically last between 8 and 30 minutes, depending on how competitive the teams are. A quick decisive raid can end a match in under 10 minutes, while evenly matched teams may go through multiple raid cycles.

What is the Shieldbreaker?

The Shieldbreaker is a legendary magical sword that spawns during periodic storms. It's the only way to break through enemy base shields, making it the central objective of every match.

When does ranked mode release?

Ranked mode is coming in Episode 2, scheduled for February 2026. The update will also include a new mount, additional raid tools, and fresh content.

Summary

Highguard brings a genuinely fresh take on competitive shooters with its raid-focused gameplay loop. Master the four match phases, learn your Warden's abilities, and coordinate with your team to dominate. The game is free, cross-platform, and only getting better with planned Episode updates. Whether you're here for the Apex-style gunplay or the tactical base raiding, now is the perfect time to jump in.

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