Highguard’s Episode 2 update introduces new Warden Ekon, and finally adds ranked mode to the game
Despite Highguard’s rocky launch, developers at Wildlight Entertainment aren’t giving up on the game. On Thursday, Wildlight announced a new patch (the second major update since the game launched two weeks ago), which is set to go live tomorrow.
Referred to by Wildlight as the Episode 2 update, the patch introduces permanent ranked mode, and also adds a new playable Warden to the game. Ekon is a « legendary monster-slayer who shapeshifts into a powerful direwolf to track and hunt his prey », and can see the heartbeats of injured enemies through walls and other structures. Interestingly, Ekon doesn’t ride any of Highguard’s mounts. Instead, he turns into one, morphing into a direwolf at will.
Here’s a closer look at Ekon’s abilities:
Reveal the heartbeat of wounded enemies. Once an enemy Warden is at low health, they are highlighted in pulsing beats until they are dead, or their health regenerates.
Unleash a spirit wolf to hunt the nearest enemy and apply Dread. This Wolf Spirit travels long distances, moving straight through rocks and structures to find its prey. If seen in time, it can be shot down. This ability can be cast in human form, or in Wolf form.
Apply Dread to all enemies across the map and increase your movement speed. This ability can be cast in human form, or in Wolf form.
Ekon doesn’t ride an animal into battle, he becomes one — transforming into a powerful direwolf that tracks, hunts, and runs down mounted enemies. While in this form, Ekon’s speed is unmatched by other mounts. Through a full third-person point of view, the direwolf can see around cover. When moving in for an attack, weapons are laid down in favor of Ekon’s deadly bite attack, which will dash forward and bite a prey before immediately transforming back to human form to finish off the job.
