Highguard Weapons Tier List (March 2026) Best Guns at Launch
As a dedicated FPS enthusiast who’s spent countless hours testing every weapon in Highguard’s arsenal, I’m excited to bring you the most comprehensive weapons tier list available. After analyzing data from top gaming sites, hands-on playtesting, and community feedback, I’ve created the definitive guide to help you dominate the battlefield in 2026.
Quick Overview: Highguard Weapons Meta March 2026
| Weapon | Overall Ranking | Best Use Case | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard AR | S-Tier | All-around combat | Beginner |
| Dynasty AR | S-Tier | Mid-long range | Intermediate |
| Kraken Shotgun | A-S Tier | Close quarters | Advanced |
| Big Rig LMG | A-Tier | Suppression/raids | Intermediate |
| Paladin Shotgun | B-S Tier | Close quarters | Beginner |
| Corsair SMG | B-Tier | Close range | Advanced |
| Viper SMG | B-Tier | Close range | Beginner |
| Longhorn Revolver | C-Tier | Long range | Advanced |
| Saber Rifle | C-Tier | Mid range burst | Advanced |
| Ranger Sniper | D-S Tier | Long range | Expert |
Why Different Sources Rank Weapons Differently?
Before diving into detailed rankings, it’s crucial to understand why you’ll see conflicting tier lists across different gaming sites. During my research, I discovered significant variations in rankings between Beebom, Polygon, TheGamer, and esports.gg. Here’s why:
Playstyle Differences: Polygon ranks Paladin as the most overpowered weapon, while esports.gg places it in C-tier. This discrepancy stems from different playstyles – Polygon focuses on aggressive close-quarters combat, while esports.gg emphasizes versatility across all game phases.
Meta Evolution: The game launched on January 26, 2026, and the meta is still evolving. What worked during pre-launch playtests (esports.gg’s data) might differ from current live gameplay (Beebom’s analysis).
Skill Ceiling Considerations: Some sources rank weapons based on ease of use (TheGamer), while others focus on maximum potential (esports.gg’s S-tier Dynasty requires precise aim).
Complete Highguard Weapons Analysis
S-Tier Weapons: The Meta-Defining Choices
Vanguard Assault Rifle
The Vanguard stands as the most versatile weapon in Highguard’s arsenal. With its balanced damage output (9 body, 14 headshot damage) and generous 36-round magazine, it’s the perfect choice for players transitioning from other FPS games.
Why it’s S-Tier:
- Excellent accuracy and control
- Large magazine size forgiving for missed shots
- Performs well in all combat scenarios
- Beginner-friendly with room for mastery
Best Loadout Pairing: Vanguard + Longhorn for versatile range coverage
Dynasty Assault Rifle
The Dynasty represents Highguard’s answer to the classic AK-47. Dealing 14 body damage and 18 headshot damage, it hits harder than the Vanguard but demands better aim control.
Why it’s S-Tier:
- Highest damage per shot among ARs
- Excellent mid-to-long range performance
- Comes equipped with 3X scope
- Scales incredibly well with upgrades
Pro Tip: The Dynasty excels during the Intercept phase where long-range engagements are common.
A-Tier Weapons: Strong Contenders
Kraken Shotgun
Despite esports.gg placing it in D-tier, my testing and community feedback suggest the Kraken deserves A-tier placement for specific playstyles.
Why it’s A-Tier:
- Devastating close-quarters damage
- Can interrupt reload animation for instant firing
- Excellent structure damage for raids
- High skill ceiling with rewarding gameplay
When to Use: Perfect for aggressive players who excel at flanking and close-quarters combat.
Big Rig LMG
The Big Rig serves as Highguard’s ultimate suppression tool. While limited to care package drops, its massive magazine and wall destruction capabilities make it invaluable during base raids.
Why it’s A-Tier:
- Unmatched magazine capacity
- Excellent for locking down positions
- Great for destroying enemy structures
- Provides crucial team support during raids
Strategic Use: Save the Big Rig for crucial raid phases where you need to break through fortified positions.
B-Tier Weapons: Situational Specialists
Paladin Shotgun
Polygon’s ranking of Paladin as the most overpowered weapon raises eyebrows, but there’s merit to their argument. The fully automatic shotgun can shred enemies at close range.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- Fully automatic fire rate
- Smaller spread than Kraken
- Faster reload speed
- Limited effective range
Best For: Players who prefer aggressive, run-and-gun playstyles in close-quarters maps.
Corsair SMG
The Corsair’s unique burst-fire mechanism (four volleys of six bullets) makes it the highest DPS SMG in the game, but it’s not without drawbacks.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- Highest DPS among SMGs
- Excellent for both player and structure damage
- Challenging recoil pattern
- Limited effective range
Controller Advantage: Similar to Apex Legends’ Prowler, controller players will find the Corsair more manageable.
Viper SMG
The Viper serves as the more accessible SMG option, featuring manageable recoil and a 2X scope for improved close-quarters accuracy.
Why it’s B-Tier:
- Manageable recoil pattern
- 2X scope for versatility
- Consistent damage output
- Outclassed by Corsair in pure DPS
Best For: New players learning SMG mechanics or those who prefer consistency over raw power.
C-Tier Weapons: Niche Applications
Longhorn Revolver
The Longhorn packs serious punch (65 body, 97 headshot damage) but suffers from a small 5-round cylinder and slow reload speed.
Why it’s C-Tier:
- Extremely high per-shot damage
- Excellent for mount destruction
- Slow fire rate and reload
- Small magazine capacity
Hidden Strength: The Longhorn is actually S-tier for mount hunting, stunning riders for 2 seconds upon successful hits.
Saber Rifle
The burst-fire Saber Rifle offers high damage potential (18 body, 27 headshot) but punishes missed shots heavily.
Why it’s C-Tier:
- Highest damage per burst among ARs
- 3X scope for mid-range engagements
- Unforgiving burst mechanism
- Smallest 21-round magazine
Best For: Aim gods who consistently land headshots and can manage the burst timing.
D-Tier Weapons: Limited Utility
Ranger Sniper Rifle
As Highguard’s only sniper, the Ranger deals impressive damage (85 body, 148 headshot) but struggles with the game’s fast-paced nature.
Why it’s D-Tier:
- Highest per-shot damage in game
- Excellent for long-range engagements
- Useless against structures
- Limited effectiveness in fast-paced combat
Situational Use: Only viable on specific maps with long sightlines during the Intercept phase.
Raid Tools: Utility Weapons
Highguard features three special Raid Tools that don’t fit traditional weapon categories but serve crucial strategic purposes:
Blast Hammer (C-Tier Utility)
Explosive sledgehammer perfect for breaching walls and eliminating clustered enemies. Essential for base assaults.
Zipline Gun (C-Tier Utility)
Creates ziplines for tactical positioning and team movement. Invaluable for coordinated team plays.
Rocket Launcher (C-Tier Utility)
Standard rocket launcher effective against structures but underwhelming against players. Best saved for base destruction.
Weapon Combinations and Loadouts
Based on my extensive testing, here are the most effective weapon combinations:
The All-Rounder Loadout
Primary: Vanguard AR Secondary: Viper SMG Best For: Players who want versatility across all engagement ranges
The Aggressive Close-Quarters Loadout
Primary: Kraken Shotgun Secondary: Corsair SMG Best For: Players who excel at flanking and close-quarters combat
The Long-Range Specialist Loadout
Primary: Dynasty AR Secondary: Longhorn Revolver Best For: Players with excellent aim who prefer mid-to-long range engagements
The Raid Specialist Loadout
Primary: Big Rig LMG (when available) Secondary: Paladin Shotgun Best For: Players focused on base destruction and team support
Advanced Weapon Strategies
Mount Combat Optimization
Different weapons perform differently when firing from mounts. The Dynasty AR offers the best balance of damage and control while mounted, making it ideal for mobile combat.
Structure Damage Priorities
When raiding enemy bases, prioritize weapons with high structure damage:
- Big Rig LMG (highest structure DPS)
- Corsair SMG (surprisingly effective)
- Blast Hammer (utility tool)
- Kraken Shotgun (decent structure damage)
Legendary Weapon Variants
Several weapons offer legendary variants that significantly impact their tier placement:
- Paladin Drum Magazine: Increases capacity to 40 rounds, potentially elevating it to A-tier
- Dynasty Impact Rounds: Slower fire rate but increased damage per shot
- Longhorn Repeater: Converts to fully automatic, dramatically increasing effectiveness
Meta Evolution and Future Updates
The Highguard weapon meta is still evolving since the January 2026 launch. Based on my analysis of community feedback and patch notes, expect these potential changes:
Likely Buffs:
- Ranger Sniper may receive damage increases to compete with other weapons
- Longhorn could get reload speed improvements
- Saber Rifle might receive magazine size increases
Potential Nerfs:
- Dynasty’s damage might be adjusted to balance AR choices
- Corsair’s structure damage could be reduced
- Vanguard’s magazine size might be decreased
Community Insights and Professional Player Opinions
After analyzing discussions from Reddit’s r/HighGuardgame and the official Discord server, I’ve identified several community consensus points:
Agreement Across Sources:
- Vanguard AR is universally recognized as top-tier
- Dynasty AR excels with skilled players
- SMGs require significant skill to master effectively
Community Debates:
- Shotgun effectiveness varies wildly based on playstyle
- Ranger Sniper’s usefulness is hotly contested
- Raid Tool importance depends on team strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the absolute best weapons in Highguard for beginners?
For new players, I recommend starting with the Vanguard AR paired with the Viper SMG. This combination offers forgiveness for missed shots while teaching fundamental FPS mechanics.
How many weapons are available in Highguard at launch?
Highguard features 10 primary weapons plus 3 Raid Tools, totaling 13 distinct options for players to master.
Which weapon has the highest DPS in Highguard?
The Paladin Shotgun theoretically has the highest DPS at 318, but this only applies at point-blank range. The Corsair SMG offers more consistent high DPS in practical combat situations.
Are shotguns viable in Highguard’s current meta?
Shotguns are highly situational but viable. The Kraken excels in close-quarters maps and during base assaults, while the Paladin offers more forgiving automatic fire.
What’s the best weapon for destroying enemy bases?
The Big Rig LMG is unmatched for structure destruction, followed closely by the Corsair SMG and Blast Hammer utility tool.
How do weapon rarities affect performance?
Legendary variants can significantly change a weapon’s effectiveness. The Paladin’s Drum Magazine variant, for example, transforms it from a situational weapon into a close-quarters powerhouse.
Which weapons scale best with upgrades?
The Dynasty AR and Ranger Sniper both scale exceptionally well with upgrades, becoming significantly more effective in the late game phases.
Conclusion
Highguard’s weapon landscape offers diverse options for every playstyle, from the beginner-friendly Vanguard to the high-skill ceiling Saber Rifle. While tier lists provide valuable guidance, remember that the “best” weapon ultimately depends on your personal playstyle, team composition, and specific map situations.
The current meta favors versatile weapons that perform well across different engagement ranges, with the Vanguard and Dynasty ARs standing out as the most reliable choices. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations – you might discover a loadout that perfectly suits your unique approach to the game.
As Highguard continues to evolve through 2026, expect weapon balancing changes and new additions to shake up the meta. Stay updated with the latest patch notes and community discussions to maintain your competitive edge.