After the initial reveal during the 2025 Game Awards, Highguard finally launched at the end of January. The free-to-play raid shooter has quite a few systems for you to discover, and while the game may seem simple at first, it hides layers and layers of complexity once you start spending a few hours on it.
Its tutorial is quite useful for learning the basic concepts and actions, but since you won't have a real raid until you start playing with other players, you may feel lost in your first matches. That's why we've collected a lot of useful tips for Highguard beginners in this guide.
What a character to pick up
You will find eight characters at the launch of Highguard. Although they belong to different archetypes – Assault, Defense, Recon, Support – you will find that most of them can be played both offensively and defensively without much trouble. Of course, you just need to have the right equipment.
The thing is, they all have different abilities, yes, but how often you'll use them in your first few matches won't vary much. You will probably mostly focus on your weaponsand abilities will become secondary. Just pick the one that looks cool to you. But if you need a quick tip, start with someone like Slade, who has pretty light abilities
Highguard: Weapon Tier List
Our tier list guide ranks weapons by effectiveness in Highguard.
Always choose the recommended base
If you start playing with a team full of newcomers, you should always choose the recommended base at the start of the match. This is preselected based on your team composition (archetypes and abilities).
There is no other way to learn about all the bases than by playing matches, so you have to put in the time. However, rest assured that check their information and layout when you're about to start a new game — you'll learn about their different parts, distribution, and more, so you can make more informed choices when you know more about Highguard and its characters.
What to reinforce in your building
The first phase of a match asks you to prepare your base and choose your loadout. As for the former, you have five pieces of equipment that allow you to reinforce a wall each (fifteen in total, counting those from your teammates).
There are many possibilities to do with them, but when you play your first games, don't sweat it — reinforce the five walls closest to each target (you can also reinforce two walls in the same column). This will do the job and stop your enemies for a moment while they raid your base.
To grow crystals or to search for chests?
Highguard has two ways to get loot for your character: agricultural crystals and spend them at the merchant to buy weapons and items, or find said weapons and items in chests with random rewards on the map.
Both actions require time, and although some areas have crystals next to chests, you should decide where you will focus most of your time and what your plan is to improve your equipment. So which one is best?
The answer is that there is no clear answer. Based on my experience, I would say that it is always useful to destroy all the crystals you can during the initial Gear Up phase for one reason: both teams won't be able to find very rare weapons at the beginning of the match, so the difference you can make with the weapons you find in chests may not be that big, depending on your skills.
So it's better to save all the currency you can, spend a little on armor and a weapon of choice, and then focus on chests.
The crystal breaking minigame with your ax always has the same timing, so take a few matches to get used to it and execute it flawlessly every time. When you break a crystal without mistake, you get to destroy the next one with just one hit.
When to use your bracket
One of the unique features that Highguard has is the ability to summon and use a mount almost whenever you want. This can be used for several purposes, but we suggest you start using it for two things: to reach places faster and to escape.
During the looting phase, you will want to use your loyal animal to search for chests and crystals as quickly as possible. You should use it freely every time here. Then, when it's time to grab the Shieldbreaker, you should also summon your mount when you have the sword and are ready to roll.
Of course, you can become an easier target when you're on your mount, but it's still better to be on it to get to your location faster.
When it's time to stalk an enemy or just fight in general… I wouldn't really recommend it. Dueling while mounted on a bear is sick and works better than expected, but you're always at a disadvantage.
Your beast doesn't have much health (unless you get the necessary high-level item), is too big to miss shots, and when knocked down you have a few seconds where you are immobile but vulnerable.
If an enemy has grabbed Shieldbreaker and you want to pursue them, unless you have a field advantage, I suggest you let them go. Use your free teleport to the baseand then wait outside it, hiding in a place where your enemies might not see you. It will work better than the other plan.
Keep an eye on the supply drop
If your team or enemy group survives a raid, Supply Drops will start appearing on the mapone per loot phase. You'll see its icon marked on the mapand you will have a timer to know when it reaches the ground.
While its zone can get tricky because your rival team might want the same thing as you, the pack's content is usually worth it. In addition to several pieces of armor, you can find the Big Rigwhich is probably the best weapon in the game. It's heavy, but its stability, amount of bullets and damage makes it easy. You will win many fights with this.
Note that this is a one time special weapon, and you will not respawn with it if you die.
Bait with your bombs
Once you're inside your enemy's base, it's time to set up the bombs. But should you go to generator A, B or the big armature at once?
A standard strategy is to have three members of the squad go to the same point (whichever you want), plant the bomb and shield it either next to the bomb itself or close around. However, if you or your teammates already have some proficiency with your weapons and/or abilities, you should aim to have two Wardens at one point and the third at another location.
Always have at least one Thumper charge in your inventory
Thumper Charges are explosive items which you can buy from the merchant. You can use them for blow up the walls of buildings inside your enemies' base in mere seconds, so it's something useful to have in stock. However, you should always save at least one for the special loot sites on the map.
On most maps, you'll find a short area where there are several crystals and chests behind a reinforced locked door or barrier. This entrance cannot be destroyed by your axe, but do you know what item can help you? Yes, a Thumper Charge. One will be enough to enter the site and earn some nice gear.
You can also damage this type of door/entrance with a rocket launcher, but Thumper Charge is more effective.
Highguard: Episode One War Chest Guide
Here's every Episode One War Chest reward and the best ways to earn Vigil Tokens fast.
