Highguard’s experimental 5v5 mode deserves a permanent place
Highguard’s new 5v5 mode boosts action and teamwork, prompting calls for the limited-time experiment to become a permanent feature.
Highguard has introduced a new 5v5 multiplayer mode that has quickly drawn the attention of players seeking a faster, more engaging experience. Developer Wildlight Entertainment revealed the mode on Friday, describing it as an “experimental” and “limited-time” addition to the game. Despite that framing, early reactions suggest the mode addresses several concerns raised about Highguard since its launch.
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At release, Highguard centred on a 3v3 format built around mounted combat and objective-based matches. While the game’s mounts were widely seen as an enjoyable and distinctive feature, the smaller team size left some players feeling that matches lacked energy. The arrival of a 5v5 option has reignited discussion around how the game should evolve in the long term.
A shift from slower skirmishes to constant action
The most immediate difference between Highguard’s existing 3v3 mode and the new 5v5 format is the pace of play. With ten players on the map instead of six, matches feel noticeably busier. There is less downtime between encounters, and players are more frequently drawn into fights around key objectives, including the base and the Shieldbreaker carrier.
In the 3v3 mode, matches can feel sparse, with long stretches where little happens. Smaller team sizes mean fewer encounters, and defeats can result in awkward pauses as players regroup. By contrast, 5v5 fills out the game’s large raid maps more effectively. With more players moving across the terrain, the environment feels alive, and objectives are contested more consistently.
Despite the increase in player count, the mode does not descend into overwhelming chaos. Enemy movement remains readable, and audio cues still allow players to hear opponents attempting to flank or approach from behind. The balance between awareness and intensity helps maintain tension while keeping the action constant. Moments of silence following a kill, often described by players as a brief “So… what are we doing now?” lull, are far less common.
Improved teamwork and tactical flexibility
Beyond raw action, the 5v5 mode improves team coordination. In smaller squads, individual mistakes can be costly, and players who stray too far from their teammates risk being eliminated without support. This can be particularly frustrating when carrying critical objectives, such as the Shieldbreaker, without adequate backup.
With five players per team, there is a greater likelihood that at least one teammate will be nearby to assist in a fight or help with a respawn. This makes engagements feel less punishing and encourages players to take calculated risks rather than playing cautiously. The presence of additional teammates also reduces the need for a single player to push objectives alone.
Larger teams open up more room for strategy. Players can more easily divide roles, with some focusing on defence while others apply pressure elsewhere on the map. When a teammate falls, the chances of someone reaching their Soul Orb before it is destroyed are higher, keeping players in the action and reducing unnecessary returns to base. This structure supports a more fluid match flow and rewards coordinated play without requiring formal communication.
Limited-time experiment raises long-term questions
While players seeking a livelier experience have welcomed 5v5, Wildlight Entertainment has positioned the mode as temporary. The studio has labelled it “experimental” and confirmed that it will run for a limited period. This has led to uncertainty about how long the mode will remain available and whether it could return in the future.
For players who already enjoy the slower, more deliberate pace of 3v3, the new format may not be appealing. The traditional mode remains better suited to those who prefer smaller-scale encounters and tighter engagements. However, for players who found 3v3 too quiet or drawn out, 5v5 offers an alternative that aligns more closely with expectations of modern multiplayer action games.
Polygon has contacted Wildlight Entertainment to ask about the studio’s longer-term plans for the mode, including how long it will stay in the game and whether it could be reintroduced if removed. For now, 5v5 remains accessible, but its future is unclear. The response from players during this trial period may play a key role in determining whether Highguard’s “experimental” mode becomes a permanent fixture.
