Highguard Beginners Guide

Highguard just launched with barely any marketing fanfare, but here's the thing: this free-to-play shooter is actually something different. After weeks of radio silence following its surprise Game Awards reveal, the game has finally arrived as a unique blend of first-person shooter mechanics and MOBA-style strategic gameplay. If you're jumping in for the first time, you're probably wondering what makes this game tick and how to get started without getting stomped.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Highguard, from its core gameplay loop to the five distinct Warden classes you'll be choosing from. Whether you're a MOBA veteran or purely an FPS player, understanding how these systems mesh together will give you a serious advantage in your first matches.

What Makes Highguard Different From Other Shooters?

Highguard isn't your typical hero shooter. The game operates as a first-person MOBA, combining tactical shooting with strategic base management and resource collection. You'll spend matches alternating between defending your base and raiding enemy territory, all while managing equipment upgrades through an in-match vendor system.

The core mode, Raid Mode, puts two teams against each other in a race to destroy the opposing base. But you can't just run straight at the enemy stronghold. You'll need to plant specific items like the Shield Breaker and Doomsplitter to breach their defenses, sabotage their generators, and collect resources to fund your equipment purchases.

The Five Warden Classes 

What most players miss is that Highguard splits its characters into five distinct Warden classes instead of the traditional tank-DPS-healer trinity. Each class serves a specific tactical role:

Assault Wardens

Your primary damage dealers focused on eliminating enemy players. These Wardens excel in direct combat and pushing offensive plays during raids.

Defense Wardens

The tanky backbone of your team. Defense Wardens protect generators during enemy raids and create space for teammates to operate safely.

Recon Wardens

Scouting specialists who gather intelligence and control map information. You'll want at least one Recon Warden tracking enemy movements and locating valuable resources.

Support Wardens

The healing and utility class. Support Wardens keep teammates alive and provide crucial buffs during extended fights.

Destruction Wardens

Area control specialists focused on environmental damage and clearing obstacles. These Wardens excel at destroying iron walls and other defensive structures.

Pro Tip: Complete matches with each Warden class early to unlock achievement rewards and understand how they synergize. Team composition matters significantly more than in traditional shooters.

The Core Gameplay Loop in Raid Mode

Here's how a typical Raid Mode match flows:

Early Game (0-5 minutes)

• Collect Vesper currency from chests scattered across the map
• Purchase initial equipment from vendors
• Defend your generators from early enemy pressure
• Scout enemy positions with Recon Wardens

Mid Game (5-10 minutes)

• Acquire power weapons like the Big Rig LMG from map spawns
• Begin coordinated generator sabotage on enemy bases
• Upgrade to rare and legendary items at vendors
• Eliminate enemy soul orbs to prevent respawns

Late Game/Overtime

• Plant the Shield Breaker to initiate final base assault
• Use the Doomsplitter to breach enemy strongholds
• Coordinate ultimate abilities for team wipes
• Destroy the enemy anchor stone for victory

Generator sabotage mechanics

The Vendor and Equipment System

The vendor system is where Highguard's MOBA DNA really shows. Throughout each match, you'll spend Vesper currency at vendors to purchase equipment that enhances your Warden's capabilities. This isn't a permanent unlock system—everything resets between matches.

Equipment Rarity Tiers:

• Common - Basic stat improvements
• Rare - Significant ability enhancements
• Legendary - Game-changing power spikes

You'll want to hit at least 77 Vesper spent in a single match to maximize your build potential. Pro players aim to equip three legendary items before the match enters overtime.

Soul Orbs 

When you eliminate an enemy player, they drop a soul orb. Here's the key: if you destroy that orb before their teammates can revive them, you significantly delay their respawn. This creates crucial windows for objective plays.

The Souleater achievement requires destroying 30 enemy soul orbs, which sounds like a lot until you realize how game-changing this mechanic becomes. A well-timed soul orb destruction during a base raid can turn a close fight into a decisive victory.

Mounts

in Highguard, Mounts aren't just transportation, they're tactical tools. You can eliminate enemies while riding your mount, creating mobile firing platforms for aggressive plays. But here's the catch: enemy players can destroy your mount, leaving you vulnerable.

The key here is knowing when to dismount. Use mounts for rapid rotations between objectives and surprise flanks, but dismount before entering contested areas where you might lose your mobility advantage.

Mount combat mechanics

Win Conditions

While destroying the enemy base is the primary win condition, Highguard offers multiple paths to victory:

Anchor Stone Victory Destroy the enemy base exclusively through anchor stone damage—the ultimate objective once you've breached their defenses.

Time Efficiency Matches under 10 minutes award bonus achievements and demonstrate complete team dominance. The fastest wins come from coordinated generator sabotage followed by immediate base assault.

Overtime Dominance If matches extend into overtime, team wipes become critical. Eliminating the entire enemy team as the last man standing can swing momentum completely.

What Should New Players Focus on First?

Start with these priorities:

1. Complete the tutorial - Highguard's mechanics are unique enough that skipping this will hurt you
2. Try each Warden class - Spend your first five matches rotating through classes to understand team needs
3. Learn chest locations - Opening 15+ chests per match provides consistent Vesper income
4. Practice generator defense - Diffusing 20 generators teaches you defensive positioning
5. Master your axe - The melee weapon is surprisingly effective for finishing low-health enemies

What's the Current State of Highguard's Launch?

Highguard launched with minimal fanfare after weeks of silence following its Game Awards debut. The development team at Wildlight Entertainment kept details extremely close to the vest, revealing gameplay systems only through achievement lists and the launch showcase on January 26.

The strict PC requirements (Secure Boot, TPM 2.0) have locked out some players, but the game runs smoothly on modern hardware. As a free-to-play title launching in January, Highguard faces stiff competition, but its unique MOBA-FPS hybrid approach gives it a distinct identity.

Highguard may have slipped onto the scene quietly, but its design shows clear intent. This is not a shooter you can autopilot through with raw aim alone, and it is not a MOBA you can win by tunneling on builds. Success comes from understanding how combat, economy, objectives, and team roles all connect inside a single match. For new players, the biggest advantage comes from slowing down and learning the systems early. Learn when to raid and when to defend. Spend your Vesper wisely. Destroy soul orbs on purpose. And most importantly, play around your Warden’s role instead of treating every match like a deathmatch.