Highguard is built first and foremost as a competitive online FPS. Matches are 3v3 “PvP raid” battles focused on coordinated team play, and the launch version is structured entirely around that format.
Quick answer: Highguard does not offer a true solo or offline mode at launch. You can queue alone, but you will still be placed into three‑player teams for online PvP, and there is no campaign or dedicated single‑player mode yet.
Highguard multiplayer structure and team size
Highguard is described as a “PvP raid shooter” where two teams of three Wardens fight to assault and defend bases across large maps. Every full match runs through a sequence of phases (defense, exploration and looting, Intercept for the Shieldbreaker, then Raid assaults on a base).
Key points for solo‑minded players:
- Matches are built around 3v3 team play on large maps.
- The only advertised mode at launch is this structured raid mode; there are no alternative playlists listed such as deathmatch or PvE co-op.
- The game is an online multiplayer live service on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with full cross‑play.
Because the raid mode’s phases rely on your squad coordinating base defenses, looting routes, and Shieldbreaker runs, the entire design assumes you are part of a three‑player team every match.
Playing Highguard as a solo queue player
You can choose to queue without a pre‑made group. When you do this, matchmaking fills your team with other players so that each match is still 3v3.
That means:
- You can play “solo” in the sense of queuing alone, but not in isolation from other players.
- There is no option to launch raid matches as a one‑person team against bots or empty slots.
- On console or PC, you always connect to online servers and are matched into the standard 3v3 format.
Community impressions highlight that the large map size and 3v3 format can already feel demanding even with a full squad. As a result, trying to treat Highguard as a quiet, self‑contained solo experience is at odds with how the mode is tuned.
Solo‑only or offline modes at launch
Highguard currently ships as a multiplayer‑only title:
- No story campaign or narrative single‑player mode is included.
- There are no advertised offline options to play raids against bots or to explore maps without connecting to servers.
- Hands‑on coverage of the game’s structure mentions no PvE enemies at all in the main raid loop, even during exploration phases, reinforcing its purely PvP focus.
Some players speculate that there may be a firing range or training area to practice alone or with bots, but those are best treated as practice tools rather than full-fledged solo modes. The core game loop—choosing a base, gearing up, fighting over the Shieldbreaker, and raiding or defending a fortress—remains an online 3v3 experience.
How friendly is Highguard to people who prefer solo play?
For players who typically avoid team‑based PvP, a few design choices are especially important:
- Team reliance: Success in raids depends heavily on coordinated pushes, synchronized base defenses, and character ability synergy.
- Map and mode scale: Matches take place on sizable environments designed for squads to split tasks (looting, scouting, setting defenses), which makes playing passively or “lone‑wolf” style difficult.
- Lack of PvE: Exploration phases feature no ambient enemies or bosses to fight on your own; meaningful action largely comes from clashes with the opposing team and the raid phases.
If you are comfortable queuing solo into team games and communicating with strangers, Highguard can still be playable without a fixed group of friends. However, if your preference is:
- Story‑driven single‑player campaigns, or
- Offline modes that work even when servers are down, or
- Co-op where other players are optional rather than required,
then the launch version of Highguard does not currently meet those expectations.
Future plans for single‑player in Highguard
Wildlight Entertainment’s leadership has openly expressed a desire to expand beyond the current multiplayer‑only setup. In interviews, co‑founder Chad Grenier has said the team “crave a single-player experience someday,” and Dusty Welch has talked about hoping that, in around two years, players will see a new reveal for a single‑player version of Highguard.
At the moment:
- The only confirmed, concrete content roadmap focuses on live-service multiplayer updates over the first year—additional Wardens, bases, maps, and weapons.
- Single‑player is a stated aspiration, not a formally announced product with a release window, platforms, or feature list.
For players who value solo content, that future intent is worth noting, but it should not be treated as a guarantee. Any single‑player mode would arrive, at best, after the team has shipped its first wave of multiplayer updates and proven the game’s long‑term health.
Summary: What solo‑focused players should expect
| Aspect | Highguard at launch |
|---|---|
| Can you queue alone? | Yes, but matchmaking will still place you on a 3‑player online team. |
| Solo vs bots or offline mode | No dedicated solo or offline option is provided. |
| Single‑player story/campaign | None in the release version. |
| PvE enemies in matches | Raid mode is purely PvP; exploration phases have no PvE opponents. |
| Future single‑player plans | Developers have expressed a desire to add a single‑player experience within a couple of years, but nothing is confirmed. |
If you enjoy competitive team shooters and do not mind queuing with random teammates, Highguard can be played “solo queue” from day one. If you are looking for a self‑contained single‑player or offline mode, you will need to wait and see whether Wildlight’s longer‑term ambitions for Highguard include a concrete, announced single‑player release.
