When I first jumped into Highguard, I’ll admit I was completely baffled by the three different currency icons staring at me from the top-right corner of my screen. As someone who’s played countless free-to-play shooters, I thought I’d seen every currency system imaginable, but Highguard’s approach had me scratching my head. After spending dozens of hours grinding matches and testing different strategies, I’m here to break down everything you need to know about Highguard’s currency system.
Highguard, the new PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, follows the modern free-to-play model with three distinct currencies that serve different purposes. Unlike some games that overwhelm you with dozens of currency types, Highguard keeps it simple with just three: Highguard Gold (premium), Warden Credits (earned), and Vigil Tokens (earned). Each currency has its own earning method, spending location, and most importantly, its own storage cap that you need to watch carefully.
What I actually appreciate about Highguard’s system is its transparency. The developers have been upfront about their pricing philosophy – nothing in the store will cost more than $20, which is refreshing in an era of $100+ skin bundles. The three-currency system makes sense once you understand it: Gold for premium content, Credits for basic cosmetics, and Tokens for War Chest progression. It’s not perfect, but it’s more straightforward than many competitors I’ve played.
Icon: Gold Triangle How to Get: Real money purchase only Where to Spend: Store cosmetics and War Chests Storage Cap: None
Highguard Gold is your premium currency, and let me be straight with you – there’s currently no way to earn this through gameplay. The gold triangle icon represents money you’ve spent, and it’s primarily used for:
Based on my research, Gold bundles typically range from 900 to 11,800 Gold depending on the pack size and platform. My advice? If you’re going to spend, wait for seasonal events when the developers often offer bonus Gold with purchases.
Icon: Silver Square How to Get: Playing matches + completing challenges Where to Spend: Trading Post (rotating weekly store) Storage Cap: 10,000
Warden Credits are your bread and butter for free cosmetics. I’ve found the most efficient way to earn these is by:
Pro Tip: The 10,000 cap is real, and I learned this the hard way. Once you hit 9,000+ Credits, start spending at the Trading Post, which rotates its inventory every Tuesday. Don’t let your hard-earned Credits go to waste!
Icon: Pink Diamond How to Get: Playing matches (time-based) Where to Spend: War Chest progression Storage Cap: 3,000
Vigil Tokens work like a pay-as-you-go battle pass system. You earn these simply by playing matches, with longer games giving more tokens. Here’s my earning breakdown:
The 3,000 cap is much lower than Credits, so you need to spend these regularly. War Chests typically cost 50-100 Tokens per reward tier unlocked, making this a steady grind for dedicated players.
After extensive testing, I’ve discovered some optimal strategies for maximizing your currency earnings:
For Warden Credits:
For Vigil Tokens:
This is where most players mess up, and I’ve seen countless friends waste earned currency because they didn’t understand the cap system:
Warden Credits Strategy:
Vigil Tokens Strategy:
Having played Apex Legends, Valorant, and Destiny 2 extensively, I can tell you Highguard’s system sits somewhere in the middle:
Issue: “I’m not earning Credits/Tokens after matches” Solution: Check your currency caps first. If you’re at the cap, you won’t earn more until you spend some.
Issue: “Trading Post items disappeared” Solution: The Trading Post rotates weekly (Tuesdays). Once items are gone, they’re gone for good.
Issue: “Gold purchase didn’t appear” Solution: Restart the game completely. If still missing, contact support immediately with your transaction ID.
Based on the game’s launch patterns, expect seasonal events to offer:
My advice? Save some Gold for these events – they usually offer the best value.
A: No, currencies cannot be exchanged or converted between each other.
A: Yes, all currencies persist between seasons, but War Chest progress typically resets.
A: Focus on Warden Credits and Vigil Tokens first. They’re free and provide plenty of customization options.
A: Currently, no. However, the developers have mentioned potential Gold rewards for future ranked seasons.
A: Only if you really want specific premium cosmetics. The free currencies provide plenty of content for most players.
Highguard’s currency system isn’t revolutionary, but it’s fair and transparent once you understand how it works. The key is managing your caps and being strategic about what you earn and when you spend it. For free players, focusing on daily challenges and consistent play will keep you well-supplied with Credits and Tokens. For paying players, wait for seasonal events to get the most value from your Gold purchases.
Remember, this is a live-service game, so the currency system will likely evolve. Stay flexible, keep an eye on patch notes, and most importantly – have fun raiding!
Have questions about Highguard’s currencies or strategies I missed? Drop them in the comments below and I’ll help you out!
