Less than a week after its launch, Highguard is receiving its first major update, addressing some of the game’s most criticized aspects—namely its pacing and technical performance. Wildlight Entertainment’s latest patch introduces a 5v5 experimental mode, a new defensive base design, and targeted optimizations to improve frame rates and responsiveness across platforms.
The 5v5 mode, available for testing beginning this weekend, represents a shift from the game’s default 3v3 format. Players will gain four additional lives in this mode, though respawn times have been slightly extended. Wildlight has emphasized that this mode is still in an experimental phase and will not replace the existing 3v3 playlist. Additionally, the developer notes that performance may be impacted in 5v5 due to the increased player count.
Performance improvements are a key focus of this update, with optimizations applied to animation rendering, projectile physics, and draw submission times. These changes are intended to enhance frame rates on both PC and console systems, though the degree of improvement will vary depending on hardware. Console players will also benefit from new graphical toggles: a motion blur option and an anisotropic materials setting.
A standout addition is the Soul Well, a new base construct described as a 'dark relic from a lost age.' This structure features two generators, a rear keep, an underground fortress, and a tall central altar—providing players with a strategic vantage point for defense. The Soul Well will be integrated into all gameplay rotations starting with this update.
For administrators and server operators, the update introduces no major compatibility changes, but the 5v5 mode may require monitoring for performance stability. Players are advised to update to the latest version to access these new features and optimizations.
The update arrives amid early feedback suggesting Highguard’s initial launch faced challenges in gameplay pacing and technical smoothness. While the 5v5 mode and performance tweaks aim to address these concerns, Wildlight has framed them as iterative steps rather than comprehensive fixes.
