Highguard is the exciting new PvP shooter from Wildlight Entertainment that’s taking the gaming world by storm. If you’re jumping into this 3v3 raid shooter, understanding every map and base is crucial for victory. Each location offers unique advantages, challenges, and opportunities for smart Wardens who know how to use the terrain to their advantage. This guide covers everything you need to know about all five maps and six bases available in Episode 1, plus expert strategies to help your team dominate the battlefield.
Key Takeaways: Quick Overview
| Map Name | Key Features | Best For |
| Vesper City | Urban ruins, Vesper deposits, high ground | Snipers, resource gathering |
| Summit | Icy terrain, ziplines, vertical combat | Fast movement, ambushes |
| Rivermark | Water areas, industrial zones, hidden passages | Stealth tactics, surprise attacks |
| Kingdom | Castle ruins, underground areas, treasure spots | Close combat, exploration |
| Dustline | Desert landscape, open spaces, factories | Long-range combat, mount riding |
| Base Name | Defense Style | Best Team Composition |
| Wellspring | Curtain walls, sniper towers | Mixed teams, balanced defense |
| Smuggler’s Den | Multi-level, watchtowers | Teams with strong vertical control |
| King’s Lair | Underground, narrow passages | Close-quarters specialists |
| Hellmouth | Moat defense, choke points | Defensive teams, area control |
| Frosthold | Tiered compartments, vertical chambers | Teams with good vertical positioning |
| Bellringer | Three towers, high firing positions | Sniper-heavy teams |
All Highguard Maps in Episode 1
Highguard features five distinct maps that rotate randomly during Raid Mode matches. Each map has three key areas where you’ll find resources, Shieldbreaker spawns, and strategic advantages. Let’s break down every map so you know exactly where to go and what to expect.
Vesper City: Urban Warfare Paradise
Vesper City stands out as one of Highguard’s core maps with its impressive collection of Vesper deposits for mining. The urban ruins create perfect opportunities for both aggressive and defensive playstyles. You’ll find three main areas to explore: the Warden’s Treasury, Sunken Archives, and Royal Gardens.
The Warden’s Treasury is your primary destination for rare loot and upgrades. This hotspot frequently hosts the Shieldbreaker spawn at its heart, making it a contested area where teams often clash. Head here when you need to gear up quickly or when you’re ready to claim the Shieldbreaker and start your raid.
The Sunken Archives sit south of the Treasury, offering underground mineshafts filled with valuable Vesper deposits. These narrow corridors work well for Wardens who prefer close-quarters combat or need to mine resources safely away from open areas. Just watch your corners – enemies love hiding in the shadows here.
Royal Gardens provides the high ground advantage that snipers dream about. These elevated areas give you perfect sightlines to spot enemies approaching key objectives. If your team has a marksman, this is where they should set up to control the battlefield from above.
Summit: Icy Peaks and Deadly Falls
Summit delivers a completely different experience with its frozen kingdom setting. This map emphasizes vertical movement and tactical positioning, with plenty of high ground and ziplines to master. The three main areas are Queen’s Crypt, Golem Forge, and Frozen Shine.
Queen’s Crypt offers some of the rarest chests and supplies in Highguard, but comes with serious risks. The area features numerous ziplines crossing deep trenches – one wrong step means instant respawn. Approach with caution, especially when carrying valuable loot or the Shieldbreaker.
Golem Forge sits at the map’s center and serves as a hub for long-range engagements. You’ll find Vesper deposits, loot caches, and frequent Shieldbreaker spawns here. The shortcuts to mountain areas make this a strategic location for teams that need to reposition quickly during intense fights.
Frozen Shine represents Summit’s tactical zone where two narrow passages converge. This area rewards Wardens who excel at close-range combat and can hold positions while waiting for the Shieldbreaker to spawn. The Vigil supply drops here provide essential resources for extended engagements.
Rivermark: Industrial Water Warfare
Rivermark brings you to an abandoned industrial town surrounded by water bodies, creating unique tactical opportunities. The three key locations – Geothermal Station, Vesper Mines, and Water Pumps – each offer different advantages depending on your team’s strategy.
The Geothermal Station combines factory areas with flooded sections, creating a complex environment for both looting and mining Vesper. The half-submerged buildings provide cover while the open areas force you to move carefully between objectives. This area works well for balanced teams that can adapt to changing situations.
Vesper Mines offers exactly what its name suggests – tons of Vesper for mining. The straightforward layout makes it easy to navigate, especially when you’re carrying the Shieldbreaker and need an escape route. The central spawn point means you’ll often find action here, so come prepared for battle.
Water Pumps lies beyond the mines and features hidden passages perfect for stealthy Wardens. These secret routes let you surprise enemies when the Shieldbreaker spawns directly above them. If you enjoy flanking tactics and catching opponents off guard, this is your playground.
Kingdom: Castle Ruins and Underground Treasures
Kingdom ranks among Highguard’s largest maps, themed around ruined castle areas and towering structures. The three main zones – Whitevale Castle, Central Belltower, and Dungeon – each cater to different playstyles and team compositions.
Whitevale Castle serves as the central hub with abundant treasures and Vigil supply drop chests. The Throne Room hosts one of the most contested Shieldbreaker sites, creating intense close-quarters combat situations. If your team excels at tight spaces and rapid engagements, this castle area becomes your fortress.
Central Belltower emphasizes vertical combat with its sprawling structure and zipline connections. The vantage points here are perfect for snipers, while the open corridor Shieldbreaker site forces teams to balance long-range defense with objective control. Master the ziplines to dominate this area.
The Dungeon provides the richest loot opportunities with its Vesper deposits, treasure chests, and mid-range combat zones. The underground setting creates natural choke points where strategic teams can trap enemies. When the Shieldbreaker spawns in the center, expect chaotic battles in confined spaces.
Dustline: Desert Ruins and Mount Combat
Dustline delivers a desert ruin experience where Wardens can fully utilize their mounts for mobile warfare. The abandoned factories and open spaces create opportunities for dynamic combat scenarios. The three main areas – Radar Center, Mine, and Furnace – each support different tactical approaches.
The Radar Center features abandoned facilities with plenty of loot caches and an easily accessible indoor Shieldbreaker site. The straightforward layout makes it ideal for newer Wardens still learning the game mechanics while providing enough cover for experienced players to execute advanced strategies.
The Mine area lives up to its name with abundant Vesper deposits and scattered rare loot. The dark shafts and tracks create ambush opportunities where enemies can catch you by surprise. Bring a light source or stick with teammates when exploring these shadowy areas.
Furnace combines elevated positions perfect for long-range shooting with underground passages for surprise attacks. This dual-nature design lets teams play to their strengths – whether that’s picking off enemies from above or ambushing them in tight corridors below.
All Highguard Bases in Episode 1
Choosing the right base in Highguard can make or break your match. Each of the six available bases offers unique layouts, defensive advantages, and strategic considerations. Your team composition should influence your base selection – mobile teams might prefer bases with ziplines, while defensive teams might opt for fortified positions.
Wellspring: Balanced Fortress Defense
Wellspring surrounds its woodland meadow interior with a protective curtain wall, creating a natural barrier against incoming attacks. The generators sit in a fortified outbuilding and rear keep, while the anchor stone occupies the forward sniper tower. This layout provides defenders with excellent sightlines to maintain pressure on attackers crossing the open field.
The zipline connecting the two main structures enables rapid redeployment across wide territories, making it easier to respond to threats from multiple directions. Successful defense requires constant awareness of three key approaches: the open field, back cave, and the network of recessed streams that flow through the area.
Smuggler’s Den: Elevated Stronghold
Despite lacking exterior fortifications, Smuggler’s Den proves difficult to siege thanks to its multi-level design and commanding watchtower. The elevated cliffside platforms provide superior firing positions, with ziplines connecting them to the main structure for quick movement between defensive spots.
The partially submerged bunker behind the main structure creates both opportunities and risks. While it offers quick escape routes, if seized by attackers, it can negate the base’s defensive advantages. Control this area to maintain your tactical edge during prolonged sieges.
King’s Lair: Underground Maze Defense
King’s Lair primarily exists underground, with minimal exposed walls making it resistant to rocket fire. The flat earthen ceiling provides excellent sightlines in all directions, while rocky outcroppings serve as natural cover for snipers. Below ground, the walls create a labyrinth of narrow passages with low ceilings perfect for close-quarters specialists.
The excavation trench across the front approach offers defenders excellent cover while protecting the forward generator or accessing the base’s rear. The core area creates a natural funnel where well-positioned defenders can trap attackers in deadly choke points. Bring hammers and ziplines to exploit the ceiling panels for surprise attacks from above.
Hellmouth: Moat and Choke Point Defense
Hellmouth’s molten moat provides powerful initial defense, forcing attackers to cross narrow bridges before reaching the interior. These small spaces become death traps when defended properly, allowing single Wardens to hold off multiple attackers. The three central structures connected by suspended walkways enable defenders to move quickly between generator sites and the anchor stone.
The central defended tower gives sharpshooters commanding views of approaching enemies. However, Hellmouth’s fragile ceilings and concealed passageways make it vulnerable to coordinated attacks from teams willing to exploit these weaknesses. Control the ziplines and monitor for ceiling breaches to maintain your defensive advantage.
Frosthold: Vertical Compartment Defense
Frosthold’s tiered compartment design protects its frozen center through layered defense. The exposed back area creates vulnerability to stealth attacks or dome splitter breaches, requiring teams to maintain strong rear defenses. The elevated balconies and vast interior support versatile defensive strategies against different attack approaches.
The snow-covered lodge design works well for teams that can coordinate vertical positioning and control multiple sightlines simultaneously. If attackers breach from below, well-coordinated teams can quickly access both bomb sites to mount effective counter-attacks.
Bellringer: Tower Defense Strategy
Bellringer features three massive bell towers, each housing critical objectives – generators or the anchor stone. The high firing positions from these towers let defenders rain down fire on attackers below, forcing them to either scale exterior walls or fight their way up from underground storage tunnels.
The front bell tower near the gate provides an excellent first line of defense, with high windows and rooftop positions for direct assault defense. If this position falls, defenders can retreat via center zipline to the rear towers and establish a second defensive line. However, the underground tunnels create vulnerability to foundation attacks that clever attackers can exploit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Highguard and how do you play it?
Highguard is a 3v3 PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment where teams of Wardens battle to destroy enemy bases while protecting their own. Matches begin with team voting for bases, followed by a preparation phase where you gather resources and fortify defenses. The Shieldbreaker then spawns on the map, and teams fight to carry it to the enemy base to break their shields and initiate the raid phase. The first team to destroy the enemy’s generators and anchor stone wins.
How many maps are available in Highguard?
Highguard currently features five maps in Episode 1: Vesper City, Summit, Rivermark, Kingdom, and Dustline. These maps rotate randomly during Raid Mode matches, so you’ll need to adapt your strategy based on which location you’re dropped into. Each map has three distinct areas with unique features, resource locations, and Shieldbreaker spawn points.
What are the best bases for defense in Highguard?
The best base depends on your team composition and playstyle. Hellmouth excels for defensive teams with its moat and choke points, while Smuggler’s Den works well for teams with strong vertical control. Wellspring offers balanced defense for mixed teams, King’s Lair suits close-quarters specialists, Frosthold rewards teams with good vertical positioning, and Bellringer benefits sniper-heavy teams with its tower design.
How do you get the Shieldbreaker in Highguard?
The Shieldbreaker spawns randomly at designated locations on each map after the preparation phase ends. Look for the glowing artifact and fight the enemy team to claim it. Once picked up, the carrier becomes visible on all players’ maps. Carry the Shieldbreaker to the enemy base to break their shields and begin the raid phase. If eliminated, another player can pick up the dropped Shieldbreaker.
What are Vesper deposits used for?
Vesper deposits are blue crystal formations scattered across all Highguard maps that provide essential resources when mined with your melee tool. These resources can be used to upgrade weapons, purchase better equipment from in-map shops, or replace items in your loadout with higher-tier alternatives. Mining Vesper quickly during the preparation phase gives your team a significant advantage in later combat phases.
Can you play solo in Highguard?
Highguard is designed as a team-based 3v3 game, so you’ll always be matched with other players. While you can queue solo, the game strongly emphasizes teamwork and coordination. Success requires working with your teammates to choose compatible Wardens, select appropriate bases, and execute coordinated strategies during matches. Solo players should focus on communication and team synergy.
How long do Highguard matches typically last?
Highguard matches usually last between 20-40 minutes, depending on how quickly teams can secure the Shieldbreaker and execute base raids. The preparation phase takes about 5 minutes, followed by the Shieldbreaker phase, and then the raid phase where teams attack enemy bases. If neither team destroys the opposing base within the time limit, Sudden Death activates with no respawns, ending matches quickly through either base destruction or team elimination.
Now that you understand every map and base in Highguard, you’re ready to lead your team to victory. Remember that success comes from choosing the right locations for your team’s strengths, communicating effectively with your Wardens, and adapting your strategy based on how each match unfolds. Happy raiding!
