Shock! Highguard has one other “heaping pile of recent, free content material” for you, together with a new warden, map, a ranked mode, mount, and a number of QoL tweaks, too.
The brand new free-to-play PvP raid shooter hailing from a few of the creators of Respawn’s Apex Legends and Titanfall solely launched a couple of weeks in the past, however that hasn’t stopped developer Wildlight from dropping a second “main replace” in as many weeks, this time introducing Episode 2.
New warden Ekon is described as a legendary monster-slayer who shapeshifts into a highly effective direwolf to trace and hunt his prey. The final of a lengthy line of historic magic wielders generally known as the Wildwalkers, as soon as thought extinct, Ekon jumps into motion when his mentor, and closest factor to household, goes lacking within the misplaced land of Highguard.
His passive skill, Dread, reveals the heartbeat of wounded enemies, and their heartbeats will proceed to be seen till they’re lifeless or regen their well being. His tactical, Wolf Spirit, permits you to hunt the closest enemy and apply Dread — even throughout lengthy distances and thru partitions and rocks — and supreme skill Wolf Kind sees him flip into a highly effective direwolf that may monitor and hunt mounted enemies.
As for the brand new map Skydrift? Coming to the 3v3 and now everlasting 5v5 rotation, wardens can navigate by hollowed-out caverns as soon as residence to nice winged-beasts, spar off towards each other in an historic ring of stone, and trip throughout enormous chain bridges and thru “exceptional Sky Jumpers to achieve Skydrifts highest level — a palace above the clouds.” The complete notes are included under.
Highguard Episode 2 Patch Notes — Out February 6
A NEW WARDEN ARRIVES — EKON
A legendary monster-slayer who shapeshifts into a highly effective direwolf to trace and hunt his prey. Ekon is the final of a lengthy line of historic magic wielders generally known as the Wildwalkers, as soon as thought extinct. When his mentor, and closest factor to household, goes lacking within the misplaced land of Highguard, there isn’t any monster or warden this nice predator will enable to face in his means.
Dread (Passive)
Reveal the heartbeat of wounded enemies. As soon as an enemy Warden is low well being, they’re highlighted in pulsing beats till they’re lifeless, or their well being regenerates.
Wolf Spirit (Tactical)
Unleash a spirit wolf to hunt the closest enemy and apply Dread. This Wolf Spirit travels lengthy distances, transferring straight by rocks and constructions to search out its prey. If seen in time, it may be shot down. This skill might be forged in human kind, or in Wolf kind.
Fearsome Howl (Final)
Apply Dread to all enemies throughout the map and improve your motion pace. This skill might be forged in human kind, or in Wolf kind.
Wolf Kind
Ekon doesn’t trip an animal into battle, he turns into one — reworking into a highly effective direwolf that tracks, hunts, and runs down mounted enemies. Whereas on this kind, Ekon’s pace is unmatched by different mounts. By way of a full third-person viewpoint, the direwolf can see round cowl. When transferring in for an assault, weapons are laid down in favor of Ekon’s lethal chunk assault, which is able to sprint ahead and chunk a prey earlier than instantly reworking again to human kind to complete off the job. Attacking with out a goal will enable Ekon to carry out a small air sprint to traverse maps extra athletically. As well as, whereas in Wolf Kind, Ekon can monitor an enemy’s scent that they depart of their path. Ekon can use all of his different powers whereas in Wolf Kind.
A NEW LOCATION IS DISCOVERED — SKYDRIFT
Far west of Headwall, past the huge, uncharted lands of Highguard the place the maps go clean and expeditions go lacking lies the fabled misplaced metropolis of Skydrift not too long ago woke up.
Wardens can navigate by hollowed out caverns as soon as residence to nice winged-beasts, spar off towards each other in an historic ring of stone, and trip throughout colossal chain bridges and thru exceptional Sky Jumpers to achieve Skydrifts highest level – a palace above the clouds.
Skydrift is added to the map rotation in 3v3 and 5v5.
THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER — RANKED MODE
Acquire Ranked Factors (RP), earn level modifiers and climb the ranks to say your rewards. Go from Bronze (Hare) to Grandmaster (Leviathan) should you’ve obtained what it takes! Go to the Headwall menu in sport to see extra info.
Ranked Construction
- The format for Ranked is 3v3
- We consider 3v3 is the extra tactical construction of the sport and suits finest for comp. We’ll monitor suggestions as we get it.
- Every episode may have 2 Ranked Splits. Splits will change the map and base record, and introduce some steadiness modifications.
- All gamers begin Ranked for the primary time in Bronze 3.
- Every Rank has 3 Divisions.
- There are 7 Ranks
- Bronze (Hare)
- Silver (Goat)
- Gold (Ape)
- Platinum (Dire Wolf)
- Diamond (Gryphon)
- Grasp (Manticore)
- Grandmaster (Leviathan)
- On the finish of every Episode, you can be rewarded based mostly on the Rank you achieved on the finish of the Episode.
- De-Rating: You possibly can solely de-rank inside a Division throughout a Cut up. For instance, by shedding matches you may de-rank from Gold 2 into Gold 3, however you can’t de-rank from Gold 3 into Silver 1.
- In the beginning of each Cut up, you’ll not de-rank in any respect. In the beginning of each Episode, you’ll transfer backwards 6 Divisions (2 full Ranks)
Equity
- Play with teammates as much as 2 tiers distinction
- A two particular person celebration have to be inside +/- 1 tier of one another
- A full celebration of three can combine any ranks and be capable to play. You’ll queue into the Rank of the highest Ranked participant.
- Solo Bonus: Should you’re taking part in with out a celebration, you’ll earn the Solo modifier (particulars under). You’ll achieve extra factors and lose much less per match.
- Loss Safety: You accrue loss safety for taking part in matches right through. It would get routinely spent to cease you from shedding RP.
- Early Leaver Penalty is extra extreme in Ranked. Leaving early counts as 2 strikes and resets your Loss Safety.
Scoring System
We expect should you win large, it’s best to rating large.
Victory has 3 variations, earlier than the modifiers are utilized.
- Overwhelming Victory: 25 RP
- That is successful with 100% base well being remaining
- Victory: 20 RP
- That is normal victory the place every crew was extra evenly matched
- Shut Victory: 15 RP
- That is successful the place your base had 35% base well being or much less remaining
For defeat:
- Defeat: -25 RP
- Should you misplaced with out doing injury to the enemy crew.
- Robust Protection: -20 RP
- Should you misplaced, however had accomplished some injury to the enemy crew.
- Shut Defeat: -15 RP
- Should you misplaced, however had accomplished no less than 65% injury to the enemy crew.
Different modifiers:
- Successful Streak Bonus: provides 3 RP for every win in a row, as much as 6 additional factors per sport.
- Kill Bonus: Earn additional RP for kills, as much as a cap of 5 factors per sport.
- Solo Bonus: All the time earn an additional 4 factors if queuing up solo.
Imbalance Safety
- If a sport is deemed imbalance by participant ranks:
- The favored crew may have much less factors to win and extra factors to lose
- The weaker crew may have elevated factors to win, and fewer factors to lose
Necessities
- With the intention to unlock Ranked Mode, you should Win 10 matches of 3v3 Raid Mode.
- That is retroactive. Should you’ve already received 10 matches in Episode 1, Ranked Mode shall be unlocked instantly.
Maps
- The Ranked Mode playlist may have a subset of maps and bases per Cut up.
- We’ll change the record each cut up to maintain the rotation attention-grabbing, however enable time to construct constant methods.
- The primary Cut up may have maps Kingdom, Summit and Rivermark, and bases Hellmouth, Smuggler’s Den, King’s Lair, Soul Nicely, Frosthold and Wellspring.
- As extra bases get added to the sport, we expect having a whole of 6 bases in Ranked permits gamers to grasp sure bases and construct aggressive methods over a Cut up, however nonetheless must grasp greater than 1 base as a result of your first decide received’t at all times be out there.
Rewards
- Episodic Reward: Ranked gamers will earn a model new beauty merchandise referred to as Banner Frames.
- You may be awarded the Body that matches the Rank you achieved within the Episode.
- Frames develop in status at larger Ranks!
- Each Episode will earn a new themed Banner Body. This Episode’s theme is Ekon and the Wolf and shall be awarded firstly of Episode 3.
A NEW BEAST HAS BEEN TAMED — WOLF MOUNT
WOLF
Loyal pack hunter of the wild. The brand new wolf mount is free to all gamers.
- Strive Ranked Problem: Play 10 matches of Ranked to earn the Shadow Wolf pores and skin.
GEAR UP PHASE UPDATES
One constant level of suggestions we’ve heard is that the Gear Part wants enhancements.
We’re tackling that in 4 methods for the launch of Episode 2, and we’ll proceed to work on that part sooner or later.
Higher POI Loot
Pink Weapon Chests in POIs now comprise Masterwork weapons.Masterwork weapons have improved stats inside their rarity. Blue Masterworks are higher than Blues, however nonetheless much less high quality than Purple. Gamers can nonetheless loot upgraded weapons exterior of POIs, however the Masterwork variations of weapons every spherical are solely present in POIs.
Final Chargers
These things are present in white barrels in POIs, however we’ve seen that gamers are having a exhausting time figuring out that. With the intention to make that clear, white barrels that comprise Final Chargers now have an apparent gold glow.
Waypoint Markers
While you depart your base within the gear part, waypoint icons will information gamers in the direction of the Factors of Curiosity. They’re additionally pingable so gamers can talk intent with out voice comms.
The map may even talk that POIs comprise Masterwork Weapons and Final Chargers.
Velocity Gates
Velocity Gates are at all times on when a participant is close to them, as a substitute of solely when a Shieldbreaker is current. This could enable gamers to get again to fights after respawning,
QUALITY OF LIFE & NEW FEATURES
As we proceed to enhance the sport by suggestions, bug fixing and small options, we are going to doc them right here. When obligatory, we’ll use “dev notes” to offer context on why we made a particular change.
Stats 1.0
Gamers need stats! For Episode 2 we’ve added a Stats menu to Headwall.
The stats tracked listed here are largely retroactive from Episode 1.
Raid Assault and Protection success stats are new for Episode 2, as we’re simply now beginning to monitor these stats.
We’ll proceed to increase this function in future episodes.
New Orange Weapon Mods:
We’ll proceed to combine up orange weapon mods. For Episode 2, we’re including selection and never eradicating something.
- Saber Rifle – Influence Rounds
- Elevated vital injury (headshots) with a slower charge of fireside. Fires a two shot burst as a substitute of three. Sooner projectile pace.
- Vanguard – Drum Journal
- A lot bigger journal, with a slower reload.
- Corsair – Doubleshot
- Fireplace a 12 spherical burst on every set off pull
Technical Updates
- From the final patch, efficiency optimizations have been utilized to participant replication, motion netcode, and siege tower rendering.
- Customers can now allow NVIDIA Reflex on supported techniques.
- A number of optimizations have been added to cut back bandwidth utilization.
Gameplay Updates:
- The Defensive Part firstly of the sport has been decreased to 30 seconds from 60.
- Anchor Stones fuse timers have been elevated to 80 seconds from 60.
- Dev observe: The purpose right here is to make Anchor Stones a bit more durable to win on
- We’ve added your Kills and Assists to the HUD above the minimap.
- Many zipline usability enhancements, together with smoother attaching and driving, and making it more durable to by accident connect
- Gamers can now have a most of 4 ziplines. When casting the fifth, their first one will routinely destroy
- Enhancements to mantle really feel
- You may be prompted to drop the BigRig when it will get to low or zero ammo
- Upon being revived, you now get a trace to faucet the emote button to say “Thank You”. As a byproduct your character will now not routinely say thanks.
- Pinged orange weapons will now present the perk once you hover on them
- Now you can ping ziplines
- Now you can ping Mara darkspawn when it’s highlighted by partitions (on the finish of a raid)
- Now you can ping Kai’s ice wall
- Pinging a Shieldbreaker or Domesplitter plant level now has extra particular ping VO based mostly on the situation.
- The top sport podium will now spotlight individuals who had the best stats on their crew
- Smugglers Den minimap has been up to date to be extra correct
- Adjusted the ultimate Shieldbreaker plant animation to take precisely so long as a regular one
- The Dealer menu will darken and replace if his inventory modifications whilst you have the menu open
- Dev observe: That is to cut back by accident buying one thing proper because the inventory is upgrading.
- Useless gamers now not present up on the minimap
- Dev observe: This appeared complicated and redundant with having the ability to see a participant’s orb by partitions.
- Adjusted Mara’s Soul Armor energy description to incorporate that it additionally works on enemy gamers (so watch out the place you throw it)
- Added key bindings on PC for Map Display screen, Character Information and Loadout
- AFK timer in a match has been decreased from 5 minutes to 4
- Firing Vary targets have been changed with new variations that keep open so you may take a look at sustained hearth
- Firing Vary can now accommodate events of as much as 5 gamers
Foyer/Menu Updates:
- Added an possibility to depart the celebration by clicking on celebration member’s social card
- You now get a message confirming that you simply despatched a Good friend Request
- Slider bars within the settings menu can now be adjusted by typing in numbers
- Altering your controller profile will now spotlight what buttons are altering
- Now you can unblock gamers in your Social tab
Weapon Updates:
Vanguard
- Barely slowing charge of fireside and elevating injury. TTK is almost equal. This simply reduces the variety of bullets required to kill
- Elevated headshot multiplier
Longhorn
- Repeater – Much less vertical kick, quicker elevate time, quicker dash elevate time, much less unfold (hipfire), slower unfold bloom (hipfire)
Viper – Influence Rounds
- Smaller magazine dimension
- More kick
Merchandise Updates:
- Amulet: Bomb Equipment
- Bomb plant time nerfed (2.5s -> 3s). Defuse time remains to be 2.5s.
- Amulet: Harvester now not drops bonus Final Chargers from White Provide Barrels.
- Barely lowered the highest pace of orange Saddles.
Character Updates:
Slade
- Fastened a bug the place the affect injury from his Final was not dealing injury on uneven terrain.
- Including buddy/foe identification to Slade’s VFXs. Enemy hearth will now tackle a darker purple look.
Redmane
- Redmane can now break flooring he’s standing on together with his tactical
- Redmane’s tactical now hits gamers extra reliably.
- Leaping into strong geo with Redmane will drop him to the bottom quicker, as a substitute of bouncing off and floating down.
Mara
- Mara will now dismount routinely when casting Immortal Coil whereas mounted, as a substitute of getting an error message.
Una
- Improved Una minion goal acquisition pace (they need to shoot at gamers quicker)
- Fastened Una minions having bigger hitboxes than meant.
Atticus
- Adjusted Atticus’s Final audio to not be occluded by geo. This implies you may hear him higher in his lively Final state even when he’s in one other room.
Quest:
The Quest is designed to be a set of inauspicious challenges to finish over the course of an Episode for some free rewards and bragging rights. As a result of Episode 1 was solely 2 weeks lengthy, we determined to maintain the Episode 1 Quest lively by Episode 2. We’ll be again in Episode 3 with extra challenges and extra rewards.
Bug Fixes:
- Fastened a bug the place characters with motion pace bonuses might double-dip on slide boosts
- Fastened cases the place you’ll generally get got rid of the zipline when respawning
- Fastened some points the place the Play button could be unresponsive
- Fastened a difficulty the place loot in chests would present highlights for various rarities
- Fastened a bug the place the Care Bundle was dropping too low of stage loot within the third gear up part and past.
- Fastened a difficulty the place Emote anti-peek wasn’t hiding enemy mounts
- Fastened a difficulty the place you can respawn together with your preliminary loadout when dying to environmental hazards like lava
- Fastened collision points on Dustline
- Fastened a number of methods to interrupt Coaching by leaping and climbing over partitions
- Fastened some incorrect key bindings within the UI
- Improved the reliability of voice chat icons
- Fastened a difficulty the place the Shieldbreaker would generally drop in inaccessible locations should you tried to enter your individual base
- Eliminated the flexibility to drop the Shieldbreaker on high of the enemy dome (how cheeky)
- Fastened uncommon circumstances the place “Place Revealed” would keep in your display lengthy after a raid was over
- Fastened a difficulty the place urgent Esc to depart the Social menu would cancel matchmaking
- Fastened a difficulty the place Slade’s arms wouldn’t reset after shedding his Sizzling Streak
- Fastened skill to restore massive gates in bases
- Fastened Condor working in place when she makes use of her Final Energy whereas working
- Lowered the quantity of display the Longhorn Repeater covers whereas leaping and firing
- Fastened some invisible collision blocking bullets above banners on Wellspring base
- Fastened some circumstances of your participant having a third arm
- Multi-Lock Rocket Launcher will now not goal timber
- Fastened mounts not taking part in correct water audio and fx when working by it
- Fastened skill for gamers to ping when driving a zipline
- Eliminated the flexibility to put Mara’s Immortal Coil on open doorways
- Fastened the zipline gun colliding with air in some areas of Summit
- Fastened Blast Hammers from doing splash injury behind you when used
- Gamers are now not detected by Condor’s tactical when standing nonetheless on their mount
- Fastened Una summoning a Tree Walker in mid air by driving a zipline
- Fastened some areas in Wellspring base the place you’ll get kicked off your mount
- Fastened a difficulty the place you’ll hit your self with a rocket if fired whereas working full pace on a mount
- Improved sport efficiency when mounting or dismounting
- Improved some translations for various languages, each in textual content and VO
- Added localized translations for various languages within the Superior Coaching video
- Fastened the Crossplay setting not saving when modified to off on consoles
- Fastened uncommon circumstances the place your controls could be unresponsive after utilizing a mount emote
- Fastened a bug that might trigger ambient audio to drop out
- Fastened a bug the place mouse and controller sensitivity settings weren’t being utilized appropriately whereas transitioning between hipfire and ADS
- Resolved a bug the place DLSS presets didn’t instantly seem or disappear within the Settings menu after modifying the antialiasing mode.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and advisor with 15+ years expertise working with a few of the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.