1 Stronghold Overview
In Highguard, strongholds are pre-designed bases that teams select at the start of each match. Unlike traditional base-building games, you don't construct from scratch—instead, you choose from a selection of unique bases, each with distinct layouts, advantages, and vulnerabilities.
Key Concepts
2 All 6 Episode 1 Strongholds
Episode 1 features 6 unique strongholds, each with its own strategic characteristics. Here's an overview of each base:
Wellspring
Water-themed stronghold
Features water elements and flowing architecture. Multiple entry points require careful defense positioning.
Smuggler's Den
Hidden passages
Compact layout with tight corridors. Favors close-quarters combat and ambush tactics. Great for trap-based Wardens.
King's Lair
Royal fortress
Grand, open architecture with high ceilings. Vertical gameplay is key. Good for mobile Wardens with aerial abilities.
Hellmouth
Volcanic stronghold
Fire-themed base with hazardous terrain. Multiple chokepoints make it defensible but predictable. Strong for area-control Wardens.
Frosthold
Ice fortress
Cold environment with slick surfaces. Long sightlines favor ranged combat. Kai's ice abilities synergize perfectly here.
Bellringer
Tower structure
Vertical tower design with multiple floors. Central bell tower creates unique defensive opportunities. Zipline access is crucial.
3 Preparation Phase
After selecting your stronghold, you enter a ~1 minute preparation phase. This is your window to fortify defenses and coordinate with teammates.
Prep Phase Checklist
Focus on walls near generators and main entry points. Reinforced walls take significantly longer to breach.
Choose your weapons and Raid Tools. Coordinate with teammates to cover different roles (breach, support, defense).
Familiarize yourself with spawn positions, generator locations, and potential breach points.
Identify or create shortcuts from spawn to key defensive positions using ziplines or broken walls.
4 Fortification Strategies
Smart fortification isn't just about reinforcing everything—it's about creating advantages for your team while limiting attacker options.
🔨 Reinforce Generator Walls
Prioritize walls protecting bomb sites and generators. Extended breach time gives defenders more opportunity to intercept attackers.
💥 Break Ceilings Above Bomb Sites
Create openings in ceilings above bomb plant locations. This allows defenders to attack from above while enemies are planting.
🌲 Clear Exterior Sightlines
Cut down trees and destroy cover around your base perimeter to spot attackers earlier and deny approach cover.
🚀 Create Quick-Return Paths
Break walls between spawn and key positions to enable faster redeployment. Add ziplines from spawn to power positions.
🪤 Set Ability Traps
Position Warden abilities strategically. Atticus's lightning above doors, Kai's ice walls at chokepoints, Una's wisps in corridors.
5 Defensive Tactics During Raids
When enemies raid your base, coordinated defense is crucial. Here's how to repel attackers:
| Priority | Action |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Critical | Defuse bombs immediately (~20 sec window) |
| 🟠 High | Collapse on breach points together |
| 🟡 Medium | Use Ultimate abilities to wipe push |
| 🟢 Ongoing | Communicate respawn timings |
✅ Do
- ▸ Prioritize bomb defusal over kills
- ▸ Stack on breach points together
- ▸ Call out respawn timers
- ▸ Save ultimates for critical moments
❌ Don't
- ▸ Spread out across the entire base
- ▸ Chase kills while bombs are planted
- ▸ Peek solo against multiple attackers
- ▸ Forget about the Anchor Stone
6 Best Wardens for Base Defense
Kai — S-Tier Defender
Ice control specialist
Kai's free wall repair passive during the loot phase makes him invaluable. His Ice Wall ability blocks sightlines and traps enemies, while Frost Giant form is devastating for room defense.
Una — A-Tier Defender
Nature control
Forest Wisps disrupt attackers and provide area denial. Tree Walker summon creates additional defensive presence while you hold key positions.
Atticus — A-Tier Defender
Lightning trap specialist
Place lightning bolts above doorways and on Shieldbreaker insertion points. Shockspear clears rooms effectively. Great for punishing predictable attack routes.
7 Common Stronghold Mistakes
| ❌ Mistake | ✅ Fix |
|---|---|
| Reinforcing every wall | Prioritize generator rooms; leave some walls breakable for sightlines |
| Skipping prep phase to loot | Use full prep time to fortify before exploring |
| All 3 defenders in one room | Cover multiple entry points, collapse when breach occurs |
| Ignoring exterior cover | Clear trees and obstacles for better early warning |
| No quick-return routes | Break walls and add ziplines from spawn to key positions |