Highguard’s 5v5 mode, which launched over the weekend as a temporary experiment, is now a permanent mode in the free-to-play raid shooter. And while the new mode is better than the old 3v3 option, I’m not sure it’s enough to save this thing.
On January 30, after some teasing, Highguard’s devs announced a new 5v5 mode was being added to the game immediately following fan feedback that the original 3v3 mode wasn’t exciting enough. At the time, Highguard labeled the new option as a “limited time mode.” However, apparently so many players liked it, and the reaction to it was so positive, that the mode is going to stick around permanently alongside the 3v3 mode, which isn’t going away.
“You’ve been asking, and we’re happy to share—5v5 Raid Mode is here to stay,” posted Highguard’s official Twitter account. “We appreciate everyone hopping in over the weekend to give the mode a try. We saw a fairly even split between 3v3 and 5v5, which helped inform our decision.”
You’ve been asking, and we’re happy to share—5v5 Raid Mode is here to stay! ⚔
We appreciate everyone hopping in over the weekend to give the mode a try. We saw a fairly even split between 3v3 and 5v5, which helped inform our decision. pic.twitter.com/S0QfgCE7vK
— Highguard | LIVE NOW! (@PlayHighguard) February 2, 2026
Credit to developers Wildlight Entertainment for implementing a 5v5 mode into Highguard so shortly after the game’s January 26 launch. And after playing a few 5v5 matches over the last few days, I do think it’s a better version of the game. In my experience, having more players on the map has led to more frequent firefights before the shieldbreaker fully spawns. It also makes raids bigger and more chaotic. It did cause some performance issues during those fights that involved most or all of the players, something Wildlight warned could be an issue. Hopefully, performance can be improved in 5v5 matches because it’s easily the best way to play Highguard and likely should have been the primary mode the game launched with last month.
All that said, I’m not sitting here suggesting Highguard is suddenly a great game now. A lot of Highguard’s issues aren’t solved by adding more players. There are still too many competing mechanics causing issues, the visuals are bland, heroes are dull, combat seems too sweaty for more casual players, and collecting loot isn’t much fun. 5v5 doesn’t change that, even if it does make the game more fun to play.
I suspect this 5v5 mode will be enough to help Highguard escape Concord’s fate and let it stick around for a few more weeks at least. Beyond that, I’m not sure. I’m not convinced the world needed another online-only team-based PVP hero shooter, even if it now supports 10 players in a match.