| Highguard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Highguard is a free-to-play PvP first-person shooter available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Read on to learn how it plays, what it's about, and everything else we know so far.
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Highguard Gameplay
Highguard is a first-person PvP shooter that blends fast-paced combat with strategic objectives. Players take on the role of Wardens, using a variety of weapons, abilities, and mounts to engage enemies and interact with destructible environments. Terrain can be altered through abilities or explosives, creating dynamic combat situations.
3v3 Hero Shooter
Teams are composed of 3 players each. Before each match, players will select a character, referred to as a Warden, with each having their own unique abilities and fulfilling a specific role in the squad. There are five Warden classes: Assault, Defensive, Destructive, Recon, and Support.
Assault Wardens are built to be aggressive and excel at pushing the line. Defensive heroes, on the other hand, are excellent at keeping the home base safe from enemy attack. Next, Destructive Wardens have abilities that are great for attacking the opposing base, allowing them to clear the way for their team.
Providing the squad aid and tactical advantage are Recon and Support characters. Recon Wardens have the unique ability to help allies track enemies and avoid ambushes. Lastly, Support heroes are there to keep teammates alive and help them get back in the fight in the times that they do fall.
3-Phase Matches
Every match is contested across three phases. In the first, the Defensive Phase, each team is limited to its base. Here, players can select their guns, strategize, and fortify their defenses. Once the Defensive Phase is complete, bases will open, allowing squads to venture into the open territory.
Once players are allowed to exit their base, the Gear Up Phase will commence. During this time, players will explore the large, shared environment between bases. This time is crucial as weapons, armor, valuable resources, and more can be found scattered about. Players must be careful, however, as skirmishes are inevitable.
After some time, the Shieldbreaker will appear. The opposing parties will have to compete over control of this magical sword, as it is the key to penetrating the enemy team's defenses. Once the Shieldbreaker is used on the enemies' walls, the match will enter its third phase: the Raid.
Raid to Win
When the Raid begins, a siege tower will appear, destroying the defending team's walls and serving as a spawn point for the attacking squad. While the breach is ongoing, players from the defending party will be able to teleport back to their base and attempt stave off their attackers. The goal for the team on the offensive is to destroy the base by planting bombs at key objective points. With a shared pool of 6 lives, the attacking team will fail should they be eliminated enough times. If that happens, the cycle of phases repeats until a winner is decided.
Limited-Time 5v5
A new 5v5 game mode has been added to Highguard. Intended to be a limited-time experiment, the 10-player match type was quickly added in as a permanent fixture after resonating with the player base. The new game mode largely mirrors standard 3v3 raids, except teams are composed of 5 players each, raiding teams have 10 lives instead of 6, and respawns take slightly longer.
Ranked Matches Coming Soon
Highguard currently only hosts casual matches, but Ranked games are coming soon according to the game's 2026 roadmap. This February, Highguard will be adding Ranked gameplay alongside a new Warden, map, and mount as part of Episode 2.
Highguard Story Plot
Highguard Story
In Highguard, players assume the role of Wardens, powerful gunslingers who clash with rival Wardens in battles for territorial control. Each of the characters has a backstory, though their motivations remain shrouded in mystery. Beyond this core premise, Highguard has not yet revealed detailed narrative elements such as factions or an overarching plot.
Highguard Setting
Not much is known of the mythical continent where Highguard takes place, other than the fact that this is where the magical and mystical collide with high-power armaments. Here, conflict is a constant as Wardens are locked in a never-ending tug-of-war for territory and power.
Highguard Characters
Atticus
Atticus is an Assault class character, making him an ideal Warden for leading the charge. His special abilities make use of traditionally melee weapons imbued with electricity, allowing him to deal damage over time with an electrified spear, release explosions from a supercharged axe, and even rain lightning spears upon surrounding enemies and structures.
Una
Una is a Defensive character, making her well-equipped at protecting the base and warding off enemies. Her prowess lies in her summoning ability, being able to call forth spirits of different forms and utility to help hold the line.
Scarlet
Another Assault Warden, Scarlet is an expert at catching enemies off guard and finding the opportune time to strike. She can make herself hidden from far-off enemies, turn walls into sand, and throw daggers with deadly precision.
Redmane
Redmane is a Destruction Warden. He boasts a dangerous combination of high mobility and unique abilities that let him destroy structures and objects, making his involvement crucial in raiding enemy bases.
Mara
A Support Warden, Mara's role is to keep her teammates alive and help them rejoin the fight should they perish. With her abilities, she can grant overshields and create custom spawn points for her teammates.
Slade
Slade is an Assault character who specializes in dealing AoE damage with his pyrokinetic abilities. He can launch waves of fire, hurl ground-melting firebombs, and conjure a firestorm over a large area.
Condor
Condor is currently the only Recon character in the game. With the help of her trusty bird companion, she can detect nearby enemies. She also has the ability to cover an area in smoke that hides all except enemy locations.
Kai
Wielding magical ice powers, Kai is a Defensive Warden with the ability to create frozen barriers and repair broken base walls. Kai can also turn into a gigantic Ice Demon named Rime with his ultimate skill.
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