Highguard has officially locked in its 5v5 Raid Mode as a permanent feature, just days after launching it as an experimental option. Developer Wildlight Entertainment confirmed the decision following a weekend test that showed strong and balanced engagement across both team sizes.
Highguard launched on January 26, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, following its high-profile reveal at The Game Awards 2025.
Highguard Confirms 5v5 Mode After Weekend Player Test
Wildlight Entertainment rolled out 5v5 Raid Mode to test whether larger teams would improve match flow. According to the studio, player participation split almost evenly between the original 3v3 format and the new 5v5 mode. That data convinced the team to keep 5v5 available long-term.
Wildlight Entertainment confirmed the decision in an official post on X, stating that 5v5 Raid Mode is “here to stay” after strong participation during the weekend test.
How 5v5 Changes Highguard Gameplay Flow
Highguard’s large maps and PvP raid structure often felt underutilized in 3v3 matches. With only six players total, encounters took longer to develop and combat downtime remained high. The 5v5 format adds immediate pressure, more frequent engagements, and stronger team dynamics.
Larger teams also create more tactical options. Players can flank, loot, or engage with higher confidence, knowing backup is more likely nearby. Respawn pacing feels smoother as well, reducing long runbacks that slowed momentum in smaller matches.
Community Reaction Trends Positive
Early reactions across social platforms and player discussions lean strongly in favor of 5v5. Many players describe matches as faster, more engaging, and better aligned with Highguard’s core design.
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On Reddit, many players said the 5v5 format feels better suited to Highguard’s large maps, citing faster pacing, more frequent engagements, and less downtime compared to the original 3v3 mode.
While some still prefer the slower pace of 3v3, the broader response suggests 5v5 may become the default choice for most of the player base.
Can This Help Highguard Recover Momentum?
Highguard launched with high visibility but faced mixed reception shortly after release. Player counts dropped sharply following launch week, driven in part by concerns over match pacing and content depth.
The update arrives as Highguard works to regain momentum after player numbers dropped sharply in the days following launch, making early gameplay changes especially critical.
However, Wildlight Entertainment appears aware that one change will not solve everything. The studio has already outlined a post-launch roadmap that includes episodic content throughout 2026, featuring new Wardens, weapons, bases, and gameplay systems.
See also: How to Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 for Highguard on Windows PCs
Highguard still faces challenges, but decisive updates like this improve its chances of stabilizing and rebuilding player trust over time.
As updates continue to roll out, the impact of 5v5 on long-term retention will become clearer—but for now, the mode many players wanted is officially here to stay. Play Now!
