Highguard Weapons Tier List (June 2026) Best Guns
The best Highguard weapons at launch are the Vanguard assault rifle, Dynasty assault rifle, and Paladin shotgun, according to our comprehensive analysis of multiple expert sources and playtest data. Highguard features 13 total weapons, including 3 utility-based Raid Tools, with significant variation in effectiveness across different combat scenarios and player skill levels.
| Tier | Weapons | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| S-Tier | Vanguard, Dynasty, Paladin | All-around combat, versatility |
| A-Tier | Big Rig, Kraken, Ranger | Specialized roles, high impact |
| B-Tier | Longhorn, Saber Rifle, Viper, Corsair | Situational effectiveness |
| C-Tier | Raid Tools (Blast Hammer, Zipline Gun, Rocket Launcher) | Utility and base destruction |
S-Tier Weapons: The Elite Choices
Vanguard Assault Rifle
The Vanguard consistently ranks as the top weapon across multiple sources for good reason. This jack-of-all-trades assault rifle offers exceptional versatility with its large 36-round magazine and manageable recoil. According to Esports.gg’s playtest data, the Vanguard deals 9 body damage and 14 headshot damage, making it incredibly forgiving for players of all skill levels.
Contents
Why it’s S-Tier:
- Largest magazine size among assault rifles (36 rounds)
- Excellent accuracy and control
- Performs well in all combat ranges
- Perfect for both new and experienced players
- Reliable mount combat effectiveness
The Vanguard’s strength lies in its consistency. Whether you’re engaging in long-range exchanges or close-quarters battles, this weapon delivers dependable performance that never leaves you disadvantaged.
Dynasty Assault Rifle
The Dynasty earned its S-Tier placement through raw power and versatility. Esports.gg’s exclusive playtest data shows it deals 14 body damage and 18 headshot damage, with a built-in 3X scope that makes it deadly at mid-to-long range. Polygon specifically calls it “Highguard’s version of an AK-47,” and for good reason.
Why it’s S-Tier:
- Highest damage per shot among assault rifles
- Excellent range with 3X scope
- Scales incredibly well with upgrades
- Effective across all three game stages
- Better mount combat than sniper rifles
The Dynasty’s only drawback is slightly less accuracy than the Vanguard, but the increased damage output more than compensates for skilled players.
Paladin Shotgun
While controversial among sources, the Paladin deserves S-Tier status for its overwhelming close-quarters dominance. Polygon ranks it as the #1 weapon in the game, noting its fully automatic nature makes it superior to the pump-action Kraken in fast-paced combat situations.
Why it’s S-Tier:
- Fully automatic fire rate
- Devastating close-quarters damage
- Excellent legendary variants (Basebreaker, Drum Magazine)
- More forgiving than Kraken shotgun
- Shreds through enemies and structures
The Paladin’s effectiveness is magnified when you find legendary variants. The Basebreaker trait increases structure damage, while the Drum Magazine variant provides an incredible 40 rounds before reloading.
A-Tier Weapons: Strong Contenders
Big Rig LMG
The Big Rig heavy machine gun earns A-Tier status for its unparalleled suppression and base assault capabilities. Available only through supply drops, this belt-fed monster chews through both enemies and fortifications with ease. TheGamer specifically praises its “high-capacity heavy machine gun [that] is great at suppression and base assaults.”
Why it’s A-Tier:
- Largest magazine capacity in the game
- Excellent for base raids and suppression
- Virtually no recoil
- Melts through structures and players
- Game-changing in the right hands
The Big Rig’s main limitations are its reduced mobility and limited ammo availability, but when you need to lock down a position or break through defenses, nothing compares.
Kraken Shotgun
The Kraken shotgun’s placement varies dramatically between sources (S-Tier in Beebom, D-Tier in Esports.gg), but its raw close-quarters power earns it A-Tier in our balanced ranking. This pump-action shotgun delivers devastating damage at point-blank range, making it deadly in interior fights and building assaults.
Why it’s A-Tier:
- Extreme close-quarters damage
- Excellent for aggressive push strategies
- Significant structure damage
- Interruptible reload animation
- Rewards skilled positioning
The Kraken’s effectiveness is highly dependent on your ability to maintain close range and land precise shots. Miss at medium range, and you’ll find yourself in serious trouble.
Ranger Sniper Rifle
The Ranger is Highguard’s only dedicated sniper rifle, and it performs this role admirably. Esports.gg’s playtest data reveals impressive damage values: 85 for body shots and 148 for headshots. The Ranger excels at long-range engagements and controlling sightlines, especially during the Intercept stage.
Why it’s A-Tier:
- Highest single-shot damage in the game
- Excellent long-range control
- Scales incredibly well with upgrades
- Switchable between 3X and 6X scopes
- Game-changing for skilled snipers
The Ranger’s main limitation is its ineffectiveness against structures, but paired with a Raid Tool or Corsair SMG, this weakness becomes negligible.
B-Tier Weapons: Situational Specialists
Longhorn Revolver
The Longhorn revolver offers high damage potential with significant skill requirements. Dealing 65 body damage and 97 headshot damage according to Esports.gg, this six-shooter rewards precision but punishes mistakes heavily.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- Extremely high damage per shot
- Excellent for mount hunting
- Good accuracy with 2X scope
- High skill ceiling
- Limited ammo capacity (5 rounds)
The Longhorn shines when used to eliminate enemy mounts, leaving Wardens stunned for 2 seconds and vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
Saber Rifle
The Saber Rifle burst-fire assault rifle offers high damage potential at the cost of forgiveness. Each burst packs significant punch, but the downtime between bursts can leave you vulnerable if you miss your shots.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- High damage per burst (18 body, 27 headshot)
- Excellent for precise players
- 3X scope provides good range
- Punishes missed shots heavily
- Smallest magazine among ARs (21 rounds)
The Saber Rifle is A-Tier in the hands of an aim god but struggles for average players, earning its B-Tier placement.
Viper SMG
The Viper submachine gun offers rapid close-quarters fire with manageable recoil. While outclassed by the Corsair in raw DPS, the Viper’s 2X scope and controllable fire rate make it more accessible for most players.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- High rate of fire
- Manageable recoil
- 2X scope for close-quarters precision
- Poor performance at range
- Outclassed by Corsair SMG
The Viper serves as a solid backup weapon but struggles to compete with higher-tier options for primary usage.
Corsair SMG
The Corsair burst-fire SMG boasts the highest DPS among SMGs but suffers from limited range and ammo capacity. Esports.gg notes its similarity to Apex Legends’ Prowler, making it particularly effective for controller players.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- Highest DPS among SMGs
- Excellent for structure destruction
- Four-round burst pattern
- Limited effective range
- Ammo capacity concerns
The Corsair excels in close-quarters combat and base raids but falls off quickly at medium distances.
C-Tier: Raid Tools and Utility Weapons
Blast Hammer
The Blast Hammer sledgehammer deals explosive damage on impact, making it excellent for both structure destruction and close-quarters combat. While not a traditional firearm, its utility during base assaults cannot be ignored.
Why it’s C-Tier:
- Excellent structure damage
- Explosive impact damage
- Situational combat use
- Limited range
- Utility-focused design
Zipline Gun
The Zipline Gun creates traversal lines for vertical movement and flanking opportunities. While dealing no direct damage, its strategic value for positioning and team coordination can be game-changing.
Why it’s C-Tier:
- Enables creative positioning
- Facilitates team movement
- No direct combat capability
- Highly situational
- Requires team coordination
Rocket Launcher
The Rocket Launcher provides heavy structure destruction but lacks effectiveness against players. While useful for base assaults, its limited utility in direct combat holds it back.
Why it’s C-Tier:
- Excellent structure damage
- Limited player damage
- Slow projectile speed
- Ammo scarcity
- Situational usefulness
Meta Analysis and Tier Justification
Our tier list reveals significant disagreements among expert sources, reflecting Highguard’s diverse weapon balance and different playstyle preferences:
Notable Ranking Differences:
- Kraken Shotgun: S-Tier (Beebom) vs D-Tier (Esports.gg)
- Paladin Shotgun: C-Tier (Esports.gg) vs #1 overall (Polygon)
- Dynasty AR: S-Tier (Esports.gg) vs B-Tier (TheGamer)
These variations suggest that weapon effectiveness heavily depends on player skill, playstyle, and game mode. Aggressive close-quarters players may prefer shotguns, while methodical long-range specialists might favor sniper rifles.
Pro Tips and Strategies 2026
Weapon Synergies
The most effective loadouts combine weapons that complement each other’s strengths:
- Vanguard + Corsair SMG: Versatile primary with close-quarters backup
- Dynasty + Longhorn: Long-range dominance with mount-hunting capability
- Paladin + Ranger: Close-quarters power with long-range reach
Upgrade Priorities
Focus your upgrade resources on S-Tier weapons first:
- Vanguard for consistent performance
- Dynasty for damage scaling
- Paladin for close-quarters dominance
Mount Combat Considerations
Some weapons perform better than others when firing from mounts:
- Dynasty excels with its 3X scope and manageable recoil
- Vanguard offers large magazine forgiveness
- Ranger struggles with mount movement
- Shotguns are nearly impossible to use effectively
Community Resources and Official Channels
Stay connected with the Highguard community for the latest meta updates and strategies:
Official Sources:
- Official Website – Game information and updates
- Twitter – Developer announcements
- Wildlight Entertainment – Studio information
Community Hubs:
- r/HighGuardgame – Main community subreddit
- r/Highguard – Alternative community
- Highguard Hub Discord – LFG and team coordination
- Steam Community – Official discussions
These resources provide real-time meta discussions, strategy sharing, and opportunities to find teammates for raids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many weapons are in Highguard?
Highguard features 13 total weapons at launch: 10 combat weapons and 3 utility-based Raid Tools. The combat weapons include 3 assault rifles, 2 shotguns, 2 SMGs, 2 marksman rifles, and 1 special heavy weapon.
What are the best weapons for beginners?
For new players, we recommend the Vanguard assault rifle as your primary weapon due to its large magazine and forgiving nature. Pair it with the Viper SMG for close-quarters backup. This combination provides versatility across all combat scenarios.
Which weapons are best for base raids?
For base destruction, prioritize the Big Rig LMG when available, followed by the Corsair SMG for its high DPS against structures. The Blast Hammer and Rocket Launcher Raid Tools also excel at breaking through fortifications.
How do I get the Big Rig LMG?
The Big Rig is only available through supply drops that appear mid-match. You cannot purchase it from vendors or find it in regular chests. When you see a supply drop, prioritize securing it for its game-changing suppression capabilities.
What’s the difference between assault rifles?
The three assault rifles serve different purposes:
- Vanguard: Balanced, large magazine, beginner-friendly
- Dynasty: High damage, built-in scope, skilled players
- Saber: Burst fire, highest damage potential, aim-dependent
Are shotguns viable in Highguard?
Yes, shotguns are viable but situational. The Paladin excels in close-quarters with its automatic fire, while the Kraken offers higher damage but requires precise positioning. Both struggle at medium range and require aggressive playstyles.
How often will weapon balance change?
As a live-service game, Highguard will likely receive regular balance updates. The developers at Wildlight Entertainment have stated they’ll monitor player feedback and adjust weapon performance accordingly. Join the official Discord to stay informed about upcoming changes.
Conclusion
Highguard’s launch weapon meta offers diverse options for different playstyles, with the Vanguard, Dynasty, and Paladin emerging as the top-tier choices based on our comprehensive analysis. However, the significant variation in expert opinions suggests that personal preference and skill level play crucial roles in weapon effectiveness.
The key to success in Highguard is mastering a few weapons that complement your playstyle rather than trying to use everything. Focus on upgrading your preferred S-Tier weapons, learn their optimal engagement ranges, and coordinate with your team to create synergistic loadouts.
As the meta evolves with balance updates and player discoveries, stay connected with the community through our recommended resources. The Highguard landscape will undoubtedly shift, but the fundamental principles of weapon effectiveness outlined here will remain valuable for your raiding success.
