Free-to-play shooters are getting a serious upgrade swords, sorcery and chaos included. Highguard Raid Shooter, launching January 26, 2026, combines gunplay with castle siege mechanics in a genre bending experience from Wildlight Entertainment, a studio packed with ex-Apex Legends developers. If you are searching for a fresh take on competitive shooters, Highguard raid shooter promises two-phase battles where you wil fight for powerful weapons, then storm enemy fortresses on horseback. This guide breaks down everything gamers need to know, exact release times, gameplay phases and character classes.
Highguard Raid Shooter Release Date, Time & Platforms
Mark your calendars, Highguard raid shooter goes live on January 26, 2026 as a completely free-to-play title. You will find it on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch, no last-gen console versions (PS4/Xbox One) are planned. (PS5 is current-gen).
Global Launch Times:
- 10:00 AM PT (US West Coast)
- 1:00 PM ET (US East Coast)
- 6:00 PM GMT (United Kingdom)
- 11:00 PM PKT (Pakistan)
- 11:30 PM IST (India)
- January 27, 2:00 AM PHT (Philippines)
The game supports full crossplay from day one, meaning your PC squad can team up with PlayStation and Xbox friends seamlessly. Players in Pakistan, India and Philippines should expect dedicated Asian servers, while US and UK players will connect to their respective regional servers. Server infrastructure details will be confirmed at launch, but crossplay ensures you can squad up with international friends regardless of location.
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What Makes Highguard Raid Shooter Different?
Most battle royales and team shooters follow a simple formula, eliminate opponents, capture zones and repeating the process. Highguard raid shooter flips this structure with its unique two-phase “raid shooter” format that borrows from medieval siege warfare.
Phase 1 The Hunt:
The Hunt works like traditional objective-based shooters. Two teams battle across mythical fantasy maps to capture a legendary weapon called the Shieldbreaker. Picture the movement fluidity of Apex Legends, wall-running, sliding, double-jumps, but with magical gunslingers called Wardens instead of sci-fi legends.
Phase 2 The Raid:
The Raid transforms winners into attackers. Your team mounts war horses and armored bears (yes, really) to storm the enemy’s castle stronghold. Using battering rams and the captured Shieldbreaker, you will smash through destructible stone walls while defenders frantically protect their core.
This hybrid approach means Highguard raid shooter requires both sharp aim and strategic thinking. You can’t just out-shoot opponents, you need to coordinate pushes, manage mount positioning and decide when to commit resources to breaching walls versus flanking defenders.
Highguard Raid Shooter Gameplay Breakdown
Let’s break down how a typical Highguard raid shooter match unfolds, so you know exactly what to expect when you drop into your first game.
Phase 1: Battle for the Shieldbreaker (8-12 Minutes)
Matches begin with both teams spawning on opposite sides of sprawling fantasy maps. Your objective is to reach the Shieldbreaker weapon spawn point in the map’s center and hold it long enough to capture.
Core Mechanics:
- Gunplay: Hitscan weapons (bullets hit instantly) and projectile guns (travel time matters). Think Overwatch-style variety.
- Abilities: Each Warden class has two active skills and one ultimate, similar to Valorant agents.
- Movement: Advanced parkour includes wall-running, grappling hooks, and aerial dashes. Higher skill ceiling than Call of Duty, more forgiving than Titanfall.
The first team to successfully capture the Shieldbreaker transitions to Phase 2. The losing team automatically becomes defenders and gets teleported to their fortress.
Phase 2: Storm the Enemy Base (5-8 Minutes)
Here’s where Highguard raid shooter earns its “raid” title. Attackers spawn outside the defending team’s castle with:
- The Shieldbreaker weapon (devastating anti-structure damage)
- Mountable creatures (horses for speed, bears for tankiness)
- Battering rams (pushed by multiple players for massive breach damage)
Objective: Destroy the enemy’s Hearth Core, a glowing crystal buried deep inside their fortress. Defenders respawn infinitely but have limited time to hold out.
Walls crumble realistically as you pummel them. Smart defenders will bottleneck attackers at chokepoints, whereas clever raiders might discover (provides better contrast) hidden paths or scale walls using grappling abilities. Matches end when the core falls or time expires.
Note: Average match length is 10-20 minutes total, making it perfect for quick sessions between work breaks, study sessions or casual evening gaming across all time zones.
Highguard Raid Shooter: Warden Class Breakdown
While Wildlight Entertainment hasn’t officially confirmed all details, closed beta leaks reveal five distinct Warden roles in Highguard raid shooter:
| Class | Role & Focus | Key Abilities/Weapons |
| Assault | High mobility and aggressive offense. | Features dash strikes and damage buffs to help capture the Shieldbreaker. |
| Defensive | Battlefield control and protection. | Uses shield walls, barriers, and healing zones to protect objectives. |
| Support | Team coordination and intel. | Provides speed boosts to allies and “wallhack” scans to reveal enemies. |
| Recon | Long-range scouting and stealth. | Equipped with invisibility cloaks and grappling hooks for flanking. |
| Destruction | Maximum damage to structures. | Uses the BigRig LMG to shred through fortress walls during a raid. |
Why They Matter
- The Hybrid Approach: Unlike standard shooters, Wardens use a mix of modern firearms and “arcane spells,” such as elemental projectile abilities or high-impact moves like a “shocking heart-rip“.
- Team Composition: Much like Overwatch or Valorant, picking a balanced team is critical. For example, you need Destruction Wardens to breach walls efficiently and Defensive Wardens to protect your team while they push the battering ram.
- Progression: Your class abilities evolve during a match. Achievements suggest you can buy items of different rarities from a Vendor to create specific “builds” for your Warden.
Note: All class names and abilities are based on pre-release information and may change at launch.
Highguard Raid Shooter Launch Showcase Details
Wildlight Entertainment is hosting a Launch Showcase on January 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT streamed live on YouTube and Twitch.
Showcase Times by Region:
- 10:00 AM PT (US West Coast)
- 1:00 PM ET (US East Coast)
- 6:00 PM GMT (United Kingdom)
- 11:00 PM PKT (Pakistan)
- 11:30 PM IST (India)
- January 27, 2:00 AM PHT (Philippines)
Expected Reveals:
- Full gameplay walkthrough with developer commentary
- Year 1 content roadmap (new maps, classes, seasonal events)
- Cosmetic systems and monetization model details
- Server infrastructure and regional coverage confirmation
- Possible launch day bonuses (free skins for viewers?)
Why watch before playing? You will learn advanced strategies, map callouts and class synergies directly from the devs, giving you an edge in early matches. If they announce viewer rewards like exclusive banners or weapon charms, you want to link your account beforehand.
Set a reminder now regardless of your region. This is your chance to master the game before the competition heats up.
Highguard Raid Shooter System Requirements & Accessibility
Wildlight hasn’t published official PC specs yet, but based on developer interviews and the game’s visual fidelity (similar to Apex Legends), expect mid-range requirements:
Estimated Minimum Specs:
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
- CPU: Intel i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 40GB SSD recommended
- Internet: Stable broadband connection (minimum 10 Mbps)
Estimated Recommended Specs:
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD RX 5700
- CPU: Intel i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 50GB NVMe SSD
- Internet: 25+ Mbps for optimal crossplay experience
Gamers across Pakistan, India and the Philippines should get 60fps on low settings. Internet cafes and gaming centers with GTX 1650-tier will handle it comfortably. While US and UK players with modern gaming rigs can get 144fps+ on high settings.
The game requires a stable connection for crossplay. Players in regions with slower internet speeds (in some parts of South Asia and the Philippines) should prefer wired connections over Wi-Fi for a smoother experience.
Controller support is confirmed for PC, with aim assist balancing for cross-input lobbies. Whether you prefer mouse precision or gamepad comfort, Highguard raid shooter accommodates both.
The free-to-play model removes the biggest barrier to entry. No upfront cost means you can convince your entire friend group to try it risk-free, crucial for building player bases in regions where gaming budgets vary widely, from college students in Manila to working professionals in London.
Should You Play Highguard Raid Shooter at Launch?
Let’s weigh the pros and cons to help you decide if Highguard raid shooter deserves a spot on your SSD.
Reasons to Play:
Potential Concerns:
Who Should Try It?
Perfect for players who enjoy:
- Apex Legends movement but want objective variety
- Valorant tactical teamplay with more mobility
- For Honor medieval combat themes in a shooter format
- Overwatch hero-based gameplay with unique abilities
- PUBG Mobile/COD Mobile (for mobile gamers considering PC/console gaming)
If you burned out on battle royales and traditional 5v5 bomb modes, Highguard raid shooter offers a compelling middle ground. Early adopters across Pakistan, India, the Philippines, US and UK have opportunities to become regional experts before the meta solidifies potentially opening doors to content creation, esports or community leadership.
Is Highguard Raid Shooter Worth Your Time?
Highguard raid shooter launches in just two days with a bold promise, reinvent competitive shooters by blending gunfights with medieval sieges. If you’re a Pakistani gamer hunting for the next big esport, an Indian content creator looking for fresh material, a Filipino streamer building your audience, or a US/UK player craving something different from Fortnite and Warzone, January 26 offers a risk-free opportunity to join a new global community from the ground floor.
Action Steps:
- Wishlist on Steam or pre-download on console (check your regional store tonight)
- Watch the Launch Showcase (check times above for your region) for strategies and possible bonuses
- Squad up with friends crossplay makes organizing international teams easy
Follow HashTechWave for updated tier lists, class guides and regional server news as the Highguard raid shooter meta develops. Bookmark this page for launch day updates!
FAQs
How long are Highguard raid shooter matches?
Average 10-20 minutes total (8-12 min Phase 1, 5-8 min Phase 2). Perfect for quick sessions.
Will Highguard raid shooter come to PS4 or Xbox One?
No, only PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for consoles. PC requirements are mid-range (GTX 1060 minimum).
What’s the Shieldbreaker in Highguard raid shooter?
A powerful legendary weapon teams fight over in Phase 1. Capturing it allows you to raid the enemy base in Phase 2.
Can I play Highguard raid shooter on mobile?
No mobile version announced yet. PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S only at launch.
