In Highguard, progression is almost entirely cosmetic and seasonal. That means currencies don’t affect your combat power, but they do control how much content you unlock over time. Every match feeds into at least one currency, and if you don’t understand how each one works, it’s very easy to hit caps, stall progress, or spend inefficiently.
Highguard keeps its economy simple compared to other free-to-play shooters. Instead of layering multiple premium and event currencies, it relies on three core currencies, each designed for a specific system. Once you understand those systems, the entire loop becomes predictable and easy to manage.
All Highguard currencies at glance
| Currency | What it’s used for | How you get it | Where you spend it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highguard Gold | Premium cosmetic access | Real-money purchase | Store, War Chests |
| Warden Credits | Free cosmetic unlocks | Matches & challenges | Trading Post |
| Vigil Tokens | Seasonal progression (War Chests) | Playing matches | War Chests |
Highguard Gold is the game’s premium currency. This is the only currency that cannot be earned through gameplay, no matter how many matches you play or challenges you complete. It is purchased directly from the in-game store.
How to get Highguard Gold
- Purchased with real money through the in-game store
- No gameplay, challenges, or events reward Gold
Where Highguard Gold is spent
- Premium store cosmetics, including skins and bundles
- Instant War Chest unlocks, skipping tier progression
Important to know:
Highguard Gold does not provide gameplay advantages. It exists purely for cosmetic access and convenience. If you never buy Gold, you still have full access to matches, modes, and progression systems.
Warden Credits: the main free-to-play currency
Warden Credits are the currency you’ll earn most often just by playing the game. They are awarded at the end of matches and through daily and weekly challenges, making them the backbone of free cosmetic progression.
How to earn Warden Credits
- Completing matches, regardless of win or loss
- Finishing daily challenges
- Completing weekly objectives
Where Warden Credits are spent
- The Trading Post, a rotating cosmetic shop
The Trading Post focuses on smaller cosmetic rewards such as banners, charms, sprays, and weapon recolors. While these aren’t premium skins, they allow steady customization without spending real money.
Warden Credit cap
| Currency | Maximum you can hold |
|---|---|
| Warden Credits | 10,000 |
Once you reach this cap, you stop earning more credits until you spend some. Continuing to play while capped means lost rewards, so it’s important to check the Trading Post regularly.
Vigil Tokens: War Chest progression currency
Vigil Tokens are tied exclusively to War Chests, Highguard’s version of a battle pass. You earn them simply by playing matches, making them accessible to all players regardless of skill level.
How to earn Vigil Tokens
- Completing matches
- No performance requirement
- No challenge dependency
Where Vigil Tokens are spent
- Unlocking War Chest tiers
- Earning seasonal cosmetic rewards
Vigil Tokens cannot be used anywhere else and are useless unless you actively progress War Chests.
Vigil Token cap
| Currency | Maximum you can hold |
|---|---|
| Vigil Tokens | 3,000 |
If you hit the cap, matches will stop rewarding Vigil Tokens until you spend them. Players who grind matches without opening War Chests often hit this limit without realizing it.
How all currencies work together
Highguard’s economy works because each currency has one job:
- Highguard Gold skips time and unlocks premium cosmetics
- Warden Credits reward consistent free-to-play engagement
- Vigil Tokens push seasonal War Chest progression
There is no conversion system between currencies. Gold does not replace Tokens, Tokens do not replace Credits, and Credits do not unlock War Chests. This separation keeps the system fair but also means you must manage each currency intentionally.
Managing Highguard currencies
Highguard’s currency system is simple, but ignoring it can quietly stall your progress. The biggest mistakes players make are hitting currency caps and forgetting to spend Vigil Tokens. As long as you check the Trading Post, progress War Chests regularly, and avoid sitting at max capacity, every match you play will move you forward.
Whether you’re completely free-to-play or occasionally buying premium cosmetics, understanding these currencies ensures you never waste rewards or time.
