Discover everything you need to know about the best weapons and raid tools in Highguard, including how to use them effectively.
Highguard offers close-range, mid-range, and long-range weapons for the players to choose from during a match. Each weapon has its own capability to deal with the threat on the map. Choose the weapon that suits your playstyle and give advantage to the entire team to win the match. Learn about all the weapon in Highguard and their playstyle.
For more information on the game, you can visit its official Steam page here.
Table of contents
What Are Weapons in Highguard
Highguard has a variety of weapons players use in matches. You can only carry two weapons along with one special tool and a melee weapon. The firearms are divided into categories based on range and role. The Raid Tools are not the combat guns, but special utility weapons you choose as your third slot.
At the beginning of a match’s Gear‑Up phase, you pick two primary weapons for free. They can be found in loot chests scattered around the map as you explore during a match.
You can purchase weapons and upgrades from in‑match merchants using Vesper. Big Rig is only found via care package drops later in the match. Weapons come in multiple rarities, and rare versions give better performance, like reduced recoil and massive damage.
Choosing the best weapons for the match is crucial to eliminating the enemy’s push towards the objectives. Make sure to use Axe to mine Vesper to purchase weapons.
Corsair
Corsair is a close-range SMG that is designed for high burst damage at close range. This weapon has high, rapid bursts that can shred enemies quickly when they’re nearby. Use it to melt enemies at close range and tear through structures during raids. Corsair has some of the highest DPS among SMGs, but managing its recoil can be challenging.
Corsair fires a burst of bullets per trigger pull, meaning each burst deals a lot of damage. However, it requires precise aim and timing to land effectively. This SMG deals roughly 12 damage per bullet and roughly 18 damage on headshots in its bursts.
High recoil and a longer reload make overshooting or missing bursts costly. Its high burst output makes it perfect for rushing enemies in tight spaces. Corsair’s fast firing also helps damage enemy walls and fortifications during Raids. You can even use it while mounted to travel quickly or apply pressure.
Kraken
Kraken is a shotgun in Highguard that can deal massive damage in close-range combat. This weapon shines very well in tight spaces like corridors or base raids. You fire one shell at a time with a significant delay between shots. Kraken fires powerful pellets but has a slow follow‑up time between shots.
Missing any shot allows the enemies to attack you. The shotgun’s pellet spread is fairly wide, so damage drops off quickly while using in mid or long-range combat.
At very close range, Kraken can kill enemies in just a few hits. Make sure to use it inside buildings, around corners, or in small chokepoints where enemies are nearby. I highly recommend waiting for the enemies to come close and dominating them as they enter the range.
Kraken has a slow follow‑up shot, so fire one round when an enemy approaches. After that, quickly retreat or reposition before they hit you.
Pair Kraken with good movement, helping you close distances quickly and avoid return shots. Equip a mid‑range weapon like an SMG or AR to fight the enemies at longer distances.
Paladin
Paladin is one of the close‑quarters shotguns that can deal a fast‑firing barrage of shotgun shells at short range. This is an automatic shotgun, meaning it can fire rapidly while you hold the trigger. This weapon shines only in close-range combat, as its efficiency reduces at longer ranges.
Each pellet has relatively low damage, making it not the best weapon to use in tough encounters. The fire rate is faster than pump shotguns like Kraken due to its automatic feature.
Most damage only lands when you’re extremely close to your enemy because more pellets hit the target. Paladin shines at point‑blank range, so move into the tight corridors, buildings, or around corners where enemies have little time to react. Paladin is best used when you surprise enemies rather than in open fights.
Make sure to use cover and flanks from unexpected sides to dominate enemies. The strategy while using this shotgun is to beat enemies at close range, then fall back or reposition.
Viper
Viper is one of the close‑range SMGs that is fast and fully automatic, firing at short distances. This weapon fires rapidly with high DPS among SMGs, though slightly less damage per hit than Corsair. Viper also comes with a 2x scope for slightly better aim, allowing you deal damage with precise hits.
It can fire quickly with a high rate of fire, giving it strong damage potential in melee range. Viper does around 10 damage per body hit and 15 on headshots.
Accuracy and damage drop significantly at medium to long range, so use it when the enemies are nearby. This weapon is more manageable and stable compared to Corsair, making spray control easier. Viper excels when you close the gap to enemies quickly and keep the pressure on. Control recoil by slight compensations on the aim at close-range distances.
Vanguard
Vanguard is the best Assault Rifle in Highguard due to its massive damage capability and flexibility. This weapon is effective from roughly medium distances, making it useful for general combat. Vanguard can deal 9 damage per body shot and 14 per headshot with automatic fire.
It has a large 36‑round clip, allowing you to kill a group of enemies quickly. Vanguard doesn’t hit as hard per shot like Saber or Dynasty, but its stable automatic fire and accuracy make it the best weapon.
The 36‑round magazine allows you to continue firing without needing to reload frequently. It has a good fire rate and recoil control for its class, making it more forgiving. Use the 3x scope to pick enemies from afar without exposing yourself to deal damage.
Make sure to push forward when enemies are closer, but don’t overcommit to extreme close range. Vanguard shines at medium range, so combine it with a weapon like Ranger or Viper to cover all distances.
Big Rig
Big Rig is an LMG in Highguard that delivers sustained firepower far beyond. This weapon only appears in care package drops that spawn later in the match. The magazine size is much bigger than that of other weapons, allowing you to dominate enemies after reloading.
Big Rig can deal 30 damage body and 37 head per hit in combat. This is best at mid to close‑mid range due to spread and recoil. However, the suppressed fire and recoil can make it hard to control.
Hold choke points or support teammates pushing forward while firing at the enemies. Don’t go for precision kills, as it shines while spraying to force enemy repositioning. Use the Big Rig to tear down soft walls or iron barriers faster. Hold cover during sustained fire, as firing continuously in the open can lead you to trouble.
You are less mobile when using it due to its large size and weight. Pair it with a close‑range weapon like Viper or Corsair to eliminate the aggressive flankers.
Saber Rifle
This is another Assault Rifle in Highguard, but it’s not a standard automatic rifle. This weapon fires three bullets per trigger pull and comes with a 3x scope for precise hits. It can deal 18 damage per body shot and 27 per headshot per burst. The 21-round clip makes it a decent weapon to use during a match.
The magazine size is smaller than some ARs, meaning accuracy matters a lot while using this weapon. Every trigger pull fires a set burst of three bullets with fixed timing.
The weapon has a slower burst rate than full-auto rifles like Vanguard, so timing and accuracy are the key to dominating enemies. This rifle is best suited for mid‑range firefights, where burst accuracy eliminates foes quickly. It’s less ideal in very close quarters where automatic weapons or shotguns dominate.
Make sure to aim to engage enemies at mid distances to land burst bullets at the target. Use the 3x scope to line up shots precisely, and don’t spam trigger. Missing shots wastes ammo and reduces burst potential, so aim correctly. Use natural cover to peek, burst, then reposition while using the Saber Rifle.
Dynasty
Dynasty is an Assault Rifle that excels in mid‑range combat, allowing you to eliminate enemies during the match. This weapon basically fills the gap between short‑ and long‑range fights better than other SMGs or AR. Dynasty can deal 4 damage per body shot and 18 damage per headshot. Just hold down the trigger to shoot the enemies when they’re in the range of the weapon.
It can fire continuously while holding the trigger, with a high DPS among other rifles. Its rate of fire and damage output shine without requiring the precision. Maintain spacing so you don’t get overwhelmed by SMGs and use 3x Scope to aim at enemies from a distance.
Control recoil by tapping or short bursts when aiming at enemies in mid-range combat. This weapon doesn’t dominate close‑range like SMGs and isn’t as precise as snipers. Pair with a marksman weapon Ranger to eliminate enemies in long-range fights.
Longhorn
Longhorn is a marksman‑style revolver that has high stopping power per shot in Highguard. This weapon deals massive damage per shot in close range when used in combat. It has 5 rounds and a slower rate of fire, while each shot counts, and reloads are longer.
This weapon has more limitations, but sometimes it can eliminate enemies when used properly. Longhorn comes with ironsights plus a 2x scope, allowing you to kill enemies at range.
Every shot from Longhorn hits very hard and can take much of the enemy’s health. A well‑placed shot can take down an enemy quickly, even if they’re wearing decent armor. Make sure to treat Longhorn like a sharpshooter’s tool, but fire rapidly. Hold angles or cover where you expect enemies to pass due to the revolver’s slow fire and reload. Longhorn can be effective at mid ranges where rifles might be slower.
Ranger
Ranger is the sniper rifle that is specifically designed for long‑range engagements, eliminating enemies before they close the gap. This weapon comes with a 3x scope by default and can switch to a 6x scope for longer ranges. Ranger can deal 85 damage per body shot and 148 per headshot. Every pull requires perfect aim rather than rapid spraying.
Ranger excels at long distances, allowing you to engage targets before they get closer. It deals significantly more damage per shot than most other weapons. Find elevated positions or long sightlines to gain clear views of enemy movement.
Make sure to line up shots carefully instead of firing quickly to dominate enemies before they react. Use natural cover like rocks, ridges, or buildings to kill the enemy and avoid being exposed.
Blast Hammer
The Blast Hammer in Highguard is one of the Raid Tools that is used to destroy the enemy structures during the raid phase of a match. It has an explosive cartridge that detonates on impact, giving it extra blunt force. When you hit a structure or wall with the Blast Hammer, its explosive cartridges detonate on hit. This weapon is not used for dealing direct damage to the enemy.
Raid tools are carried through the match, so use them to destroy the walls and buildings. Swing the Blast Hammer directly at structures to collapse them quickly. While destroying structures, you might be exposed, and the enemies can fire on you.
Rocket Launcher
The Rocket Launcher in Highguard is used to destroy walls and structures during the raid phase. This one is picked n loadout before the match or found in chests. Rocket Launcher goes in the special tool slot and is mainly used when your team is pushing.
When fired, it deals explosive damage in a small radius, and your teammates can take damage if they’re nearby. Your team’s goal is to break into the enemy base and reach objectives using this weapon. Look for weaker or unreinforced walls to blow them to create a new path and opening.
Zipline Gun
The Zipline Gun is a mobility and tactical positioning tool in Highguard. You fire a wire that creates ziplines for rapid movement or repositioning across the map. Once set, you and your teammates can use the zipline to travel quickly. Gain height or bypass defenses by using the Zipline Gun.
Using ziplines smartly allows your team to surprise enemies and flank defended chokepoints. Being above enemies lets you spot targets and set up snipers.
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