After months of uncertainty following a major round of layoffs, Highguard* is finally receiving its first substantial content update since launch. Wildlight Entertainment has unveiled a patch rolling out this week, featuring a new floating airship base, a tactical raid tool, and a fresh batch of cosmetic bundles—all while signaling plans for a dedicated raid-focused game mode in the near future.
The update, which arrives just days after the studio confirmed widespread job cuts, marks a rare positive development for the struggling free-to-play raid shooter. The patch introduces Cloudreach, a high-altitude airship base where players will engage in long-range sniper duels and tight corridor combat. The base’s design centers around an anchored ship, with the raid objective—the Anchor Stone—located inside its hull, forcing teams to fight both in open skies and confined spaces.
Alongside the new map, Wildlight has added the Lockpick, a raid tool that fires darts at doors and windows to temporarily disable or unlock them, giving teams greater control over entry points. The tool uses a new Darts ammo type and can be equipped in the starting loadout or found in red chests. The update also expands the in-game store with the Moonbruin Mount, a new rideable creature, and the Wayfinder Bundle Series, a steampunk-themed skin pack designed to complement the airship aesthetic.
Looking ahead, Wildlight has hinted at a future update focused on refining the raid experience, including balance adjustments to weapons and a new game mode. While the studio has faced criticism for its handling of Highguard*’s launch and subsequent layoffs, this update suggests a continued effort to evolve the game—though whether it will be enough to reverse its struggling trajectory remains to be seen.
The patch is set to go live this week, with no confirmed pricing changes for the new cosmetic items.
