What to know
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Highguard’s 5v5 Raid Mode is now a permanent feature, not a limited-time test.
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The decision followed strong player engagement and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
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5v5 better fits Highguard’s large maps and raid mechanics than the original 3v3 format.
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3v3 raids still exist, but 5v5 is now fully supported going forward.
The developers of Highguard have officially locked in one of the community’s most requested changes. After weeks of speculation and testing, the experimental 5v5 Raid Mode is no longer temporary. It’s here to stay, and for many players, it feels like the version of Highguard that should have launched from day one. Multiple outlets and community discussions confirm the same conclusion: the 5v5 format has fundamentally improved how Highguard plays.
How Highguard’s raid modes evolved
When Highguard first launched, raids were built around 3v3 encounters. On paper, this emphasized tight coordination and individual skill. In practice, many players felt something was missing. The game’s large, open maps and layered raid mechanics often felt underutilized with such small teams.
As feedback piled up, the developers at Wildlight Entertainment responded by introducing a limited-time 5v5 Raid Mode. This wasn’t just a balance tweak—it was a structural experiment designed to see whether larger teams could unlock the game’s full potential.
The response was immediate and clear.
Why the 5v5 mode worked so well
With five players per side, Highguard’s raids suddenly felt alive. Maps that once felt oversized became tactical spaces, filled with overlapping skirmishes, flanks, and multi-role team play. Objectives were contested more aggressively, and downtime between engagements dropped significantly.
Players consistently reported that 5v5 raids felt more intense, more chaotic in a good way, and far more engaging. Instead of long stretches of silence punctuated by brief fights, matches became constant push-and-pull battles that rewarded communication and adaptability.
This wasn’t just anecdotal. Engagement numbers during the test period stayed high, and community sentiment across forums and social platforms leaned heavily in favor of making the mode permanent.
What changes now that 5v5 is permanent
Making the mode permanent is more than a checkbox decision. It signals that Highguard’s future balance, updates, and raid design will actively support 5v5 gameplay.
With larger teams, combat naturally becomes more layered. You’re more likely to see dedicated roles emerge, coordinated pushes, and clutch moments created by team synergy rather than individual outplays alone. The pacing is also noticeably faster, with more frequent encounters and less empty traversal.
Importantly, the original 3v3 raids haven’t been removed. They remain available for players who prefer tighter, lower-chaos matches. However, the community consensus is clear: 5v5 is now the flagship raid experience.
3v3 vs 5v5 raid comparison
| Aspect | 3v3 Raids | 5v5 Raids |
|---|---|---|
| Team size | Small, tight squads | Larger coordinated teams |
| Match pace | Slower, methodical | Faster and more action-heavy |
| Map usage | Often underutilized | Fully leveraged |
| Combat feel | Controlled, limited | Chaotic but tactical |
Why the developers committed to the change
This shift happened for a simple reason: player feedback was consistent and overwhelming. Many players felt that 3v3 raids didn’t always justify the scale of Highguard’s environments, leading to slower matches and missed opportunities for tactical depth.
The 5v5 format solved those problems almost immediately. It encouraged team tactics, aggressive map control, and constant engagement, aligning perfectly with what players expected from a raid-focused multiplayer game.
By listening and acting decisively, Wildlight Entertainment avoided a common pitfall—ignoring community sentiment—and instead doubled down on what clearly worked.
What this means for Highguard going forward
With 5v5 raids now permanent, future updates are likely to balance weapons, abilities, and objectives around larger teams. This opens the door for more complex raid mechanics, expanded maps, and deeper role specialization. For players, it means stability. You can invest time learning the 5v5 meta knowing it won’t disappear with the next patch. For Highguard itself, it’s a strong step toward solidifying its identity as a large-scale, team-driven raid game rather than a small-squad experiment.
