Following its high-profile debut on January 26—capping off the excitement of December’s Game Awards—Highguard has moved at a breakneck pace. The free-to-play PvPvE extraction shooter has already seen several significant patches based on community feedback. Today, that momentum accelerates with the launch of Episode 2, a massive content drop introducing a competitive ladder, a fresh Warden, an expansive map, and substantial gameplay refinements.
Meet Ekon: The Lycanthropic Predator
The centerpiece of Episode 2 is Ekon, a storied monster-slayer capable of shifting into a lethal direwolf to stalk his quarry. Ekon’s kit is designed for relentless tracking and aggressive engagement. His passive ability, Dread, allows him to sense the heartbeats of injured foes. For active hunting, his tactical Wolf Spirit summons a spectral beast that pursues the nearest enemy, marking them with the Dread debuff.
Ekon’s ultimate, Fearsome Howl, provides a global advantage by applying Dread to every opponent on the map while granting Ekon a significant speed boost. Notably, he can cycle between his human and lupine forms to maintain pressure during combat.
To celebrate his arrival, developer Wildlight Entertainment released “Skydrift,” a cinematic short detailing Ekon’s uneasy alliance with the other Wardens. This update also introduces Skydrift as a playable map, now available for both the tight 3v3 skirmishes and the newly permanent 5v5 Raid mode.
Competitive Ascendance: Ranked Mode Arrives
The most anticipated addition is undoubtedly the Ranked Mode. Designed to foster a truly competitive environment, this mode focuses exclusively on the 3v3 format, which the developers describe as the game’s “most tactical structure.” Players will compete for Ranked Points to climb through a hierarchy of seven distinct tiers:
- Hare (Bronze)
- Goat (Silver)
- Ape (Gold)
- Dire Wolf (Platinum)
- Gryphon (Diamond)
- Manticore (Master)
- Leviathan (Grandmaster)
Everyone begins their journey at Bronze 3. Advancing requires navigating three divisions per tier, with rewards distributed at the end of the Episode based on the highest rank attained. Be warned: tier demotions are active, so consistency is key to staying at the top.
Mounts, Loot, and Quality of Life
Episode 2 also introduces the Wolf Mount, a free traversal option for all players. Those who dive into the competitive fray and complete 10 Ranked matches will unlock the exclusive Shadow Wolf skin, a striking aesthetic upgrade for their new companion.
Beyond the headline features, the update brings a suite of systemic improvements. Players will find enhanced loot at Points of Interest (POIs), new Ultimate Charger consumables, and a streamlined waypoint system. Combat has been tweaked with new Orange Weapon Mods and balance adjustments, while the technical side sees performance optimizations and a new dedicated Stats menu.
Highguard Episode 2 is available now. For a deeper dive into the gameplay experience, explore our review-in-progress or revisit the original announcement trailer.
Are you ready to master Ekon’s primal power or climb the Leviathan ranks? Share your thoughts on the Episode 2 changes in the comments!
