Marathon Complete Guide – Everything You Need to Know About Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter
Marathon is Bungie's highly anticipated extraction shooter set in a dystopian sci-fi universe on Tau Ceti IV. After months of anticipation, the game officially launches on March 5, 2026 for Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-play and cross-save support.
Before the full launch, players can jump into the Server Slam open preview from February 26 10am PT - March 2 10am PT to earn exclusive rewards and get early hands-on with this revolutionary extraction shooter.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything: Runner classes, weapons, mods, implants, cores, factions, maps, and how to maximize your progression from day one.
📅 Marathon Release Schedule
Server Slam (Open Preview Weekend)
Dates: February 26 10am PT - March 2 10am PT
Available Content:
- Two zones: Perimeter and Dire Marsh
- Five Runner shells (+ Rook scavenger mode shell)
- Early contracts for five factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, and Arachne
Server Slam Rewards (Unlocked at Launch):
- Complete 1st Mission: Standard Arrival Cache (implants, shell cores, weapon mods, Overrun and Hardline weapons)
- Reach Runner Level 10: Enhanced Arrival Cache (enhanced gear, Enhanced Magnum and Hardline)
- Reach Runner Level 30: Deluxe Arrival Cache (deluxe and enhanced gear, Deluxe Magnum, Enhanced Volley Rifle, and Deluxe Base Backpack)
Full Release
Date: March 5, 2026
Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Features: Full cross-play and cross-save support
🎮 What Is Marathon?
Marathon is a PvPvE extraction shooter where players compete as "Runners"—mercenaries fighting for survival and profit in the abandoned Tau Ceti IV colony. The game blends:
✅ Extraction Gameplay — Extract with loot or lose everything
✅ 6-Team Multiplayer — Up to 6 teams compete simultaneously
✅ Persistent Progression — Unlock weapons, mods, and abilities
✅ Faction Contracts — Complete objectives for six rival factions
✅ High-Stakes Risk/Reward — Greater risks yield better loot
✅ Deep Customization — Runners, cores, implants, weapon mods
Game Loop:
- Choose your Runner and loadout
- Deploy into contested zones
- Complete faction contracts and loot
- Fight or avoid other Runner teams
- Extract with your haul—or die and lose everything
🏃 Runner Classes
Marathon features 7 unique Runner shells, each with distinct abilities, playstyles, and tactical roles:
1. Destroyer
Role: Offensive Tank / Area Control
Playstyle: Front-line combat with explosive capabilities
Abilities:
- Search and Destroy: Missile barrage ultimate
- Riot Barricade: Deployable shield for cover
- Tactical Sprint: Enhanced movement for aggressive plays
- Thruster: Short-burst mobility
Best For: Players who want to control space and lead aggressive pushes
2. Vandal
Role: Aggressive Assault / Hit-and-Run
Abilities:
- High mobility for flanking
- Burst damage capabilities
- Quick engagement/disengagement
Best For: Players who excel at fast-paced combat and repositioning
3. Recon
Role: Intel Specialist / Team Support
Abilities:
- Enemy detection and pinging
- Information gathering
- Team coordination tools
Best For: Strategic players who want to provide tactical advantages
4. Assassin
Role: Stealth DPS / Ambush Specialist
Abilities:
- Stealth mechanics
- High burst damage
- Ambush tactics
Best For: Solo players and patient hunters who capitalize on positioning
5. Triage
Role: Combat Medic / Support
Abilities:
- Healing abilities
- Support utilities
- Team sustainability
Best For: Team-focused players who want to keep allies alive
6. Thief
Role: Loot Specialist / Mobility Expert
Abilities:
- Enhanced looting speed
- Superior mobility
- Escape tools
Best For: Risk-takers focused on extraction and profit maximization
7. Rook (Scavenger Mode)
Role: Special Mode Runner
A unique Runner available in scavenger mode with modified mechanics for alternative gameplay.
🔫 Weapons System
Marathon features a deep weapon customization system with multiple weapon categories and mod slots.
Weapon Categories:
Assault Rifles:
- Overrun AR — High rate of fire light assault rifle (138 DPS)
- M77 Assault Rifle — Ballistic AR with flip scope (113 DPS)
Machine Guns:
- Retaliator LMG — Belt-fed with high ROF (118 DPS)
- Demolition HMG — Heavy machine gun (118 DPS)
- Conquest LMG — Ramping fire rate, increased stability when crouched (144 DPS)
Pistols:
- V11 Punch — Volt-actuated pistol with charge mechanic (200 DPS)
Submachine Guns:
- BRRT SMG — High mobility close-range option
- Bully SMG — Aggressive CQC weapon
Rifles:
- Copperhead RF — Precision rifle
- BR33 Volley Rifle — Burst-fire option
- Hardline PR — Precision rifle
- Repeater HPR — Heavy precision rifle
- Twin Tap HBR — Double-shot heavy rifle
- V66 Lookout — Scout rifle
- Longshot — Sniper rifle
Special Weapons:
- V22 Volt Thrower — Energy-based weapon
- Stryder M1T — Marksman tool
Ammunition Types:
- Light Rounds — Standard ballistic ammo
- Heavy Rounds — High-damage ballistic ammo
- Volt Battery — Energy weapon ammunition
Weapon Rarity System:
- Standard — Basic gear
- Enhanced — 60-70 credits
- Deluxe — 180-200 credits
- Superior — 600 credits
- Prestige — 1,600-2,500 credits
🔧 Weapon Mod System
Weapons feature multiple mod slots for deep customization:
Mod Slot Types:
- Optic — Scopes and sights
- Magazine — Ammo capacity and reload speed
- Chip — Electronic enhancements
- Grip — Handling improvements
- Barrel — Damage and accuracy modifications
- Shield — Defensive augmentations (select weapons)
Example Mods:
Barrel Mods:
- Suppression Muzzle (Prestige, 1,600 credits) — Silences shots, scrambles enemy health display
- Precision Barrel (Deluxe, 180 credits) — Increases accuracy
- Tru-shot Barrel (Enhanced, 60 credits) — Improved accuracy
- Impulse Brake (Enhanced, 60 credits) — Ballistic weapon stability
- Overcharge Lens (Prestige, 60 credits) — Reactive Burst: consecutive shots create AoE
- Weighted Barrel (Enhanced, 60 credits) — Slightly increases aim assist
Mod Compatibility:
- Mods are weapon-type specific (Ballistic, Volt, or Universal)
- Higher rarity mods provide stronger benefits
- Some mods add unique abilities (Suppressor, Reactive Burst)
🧬 Cores System
Cores are Runner-specific perks that enhance your playstyle and abilities.
Destroyer Cores (Examples):
Heavy Ordnance (Enhanced, 70 credits)
- Defeating hostiles with explosive damage reduces Search and Destroy cooldown
Ankle Breaker (Deluxe, 200 credits)
- Thruster generates less heat while hostile is nearby
Bullrush (Superior, 600 credits)
- Riot Barricade doesn't drain energy during Tactical Sprint
Impact Siphons (Prestige, 2,500 credits)
- Incoming damage to Riot Barricade returns as shield energy
Counter Attack (Prestige, 2,500 credits)
- When Riot Barricade takes damage, release retaliatory missile at attacker
Bombardier (Enhanced, 70 credits)
- Defeating hostiles while Search and Destroy is active extends its duration
Core Rarity Tiers:
- Enhanced: 70 credits
- Deluxe: 200-600 credits
- Superior: 600 credits
- Prestige: 2,500 credits
💉 Implants System
Implants are gear modifications installed in specific body slots, each providing stat bonuses and unique traits.
Implant Slots:
- Head — Tactical and information bonuses
- Chest — Durability and survivability
- Arms — Weapon handling
- Legs — Mobility enhancements
Example Head Implants:
Ping+ V2 (Enhanced, 70 credits)
- Trait - Bedside Manner: While crew member nearby, Self-Repair Speed increased, healing consumables used faster
- Stats: Loot Speed -15, Hardware -10
Ping+ V3 (Deluxe, 200 credits)
- Trait - Never There: Entering smoke removes pings on you
- Stats: Heat Capacity -10, Loot Speed +10, Hardware +10, Firewall -40, Fall Resistance -10, Ping Duration +40
Ping+ V4 (Deluxe, 600 credits)
- Trait - Never There: Entering smoke removes pings on you
- Stats: Loot Speed +15, Hardware +10, Ping Duration +20
Energy Harvesting V1 (Standard)
- Stats: Loot Speed -10, Tactical Recovery +5, Ping Duration -40
Energy Harvesting V2 (Enhanced)
- Stats: Tactical Recovery -5, Firewall +10
Energy Harvesting V3 (Deluxe, 200 credits)
- Stats: Tactical Recovery +15, Firewall -10
Stat Types:
- Loot Speed — Container opening speed
- Hardware — Tech-related bonuses
- Heat Capacity — Ability cooldown management
- Tactical Recovery — Ability energy regeneration
- Firewall — Electronic defense
- Fall Resistance — Damage mitigation from falls
- Ping Duration — Enemy marking duration
🏢 Factions System
Marathon features six rival factions, each offering contracts for reputation and rewards:
The Six Factions:
- CyberAcme — Corporate technology giant
- NuCaloric (NuCal) — Biotech and pharmaceutical corporation
- Traxus — Industrial conglomerate
- MIDA — Military-industrial complex
- Arachne — Information and surveillance network
- Sekiguchi — Cybernetics and augmentation specialists
Contract System:
Contracts are faction-specific objectives completed during runs:
Example - "Introducing: Nucaloric" (CyberAcme Liaison)
- Find NuCal Employee ID in building east of OVERFLOW → +75 Rep
- Download employee data from nearby workstation → +75 Rep
- Deliver NuCal Employee ID to DCON northeast of OVERFLOW → +75 Rep
- Total: 225 CyberAcme Rep
Example - "Introducing: Sekiguchi" (CyberAcme Liaison)
- Inject Necrotic Sample in southern Flight Control → +30 Rep
- Scan your shell in southeastern Orientation → +30 Rep
- Total: 60 CyberAcme Rep
Example - "Welcome to Tau Ceti" (Priority)
- Activate prime ability → +75 Rep
- Loot 5 containers → +75 Rep
- Total: 150 CyberAcme Rep
Faction Upgrades:
Earn faction reputation to unlock upgrades across six tiers (I-VI):
Tier I-II Upgrades:
- Expansion — +6 vault rows
- Informant — Enhanced intel gathering
- Credit Limit — Increased currency cap
Tier III-IV Upgrades:
- Enhanced Weaponry — Access to enhanced weapons
- Deluxe Weaponry — Access to deluxe weapons
- Heat Sink — Reduced ability cooldowns
- Carrier — Increased carry capacity
- Quick Vent — Faster cooldown recovery
Tier V-VI Upgrades:
- Carrier+ — Further increased carry capacity
- Scavenger — Enhanced looting bonuses
- Loot Siphon — Additional loot detection
- Soundproof — Reduced audio signature
- Active Cool — Active ability cooldown reduction
- Firm Stance — Stability improvements
- Loose Change — Credit find bonuses
- Slider — Movement enhancements
Example Cost:
- Expansion (Rank 3) — 2,500 credits
🗺️ Maps
Perimeter
Teams: 6
Key Locations:
- Hauler
- North Relay
- Overflow
- South Relay
- Station
Activities:
- 5x Crew Exfil points
- 1x Guarded Exfil
- 3x Spawn Points
Dire Marsh
Available: Server Slam only
Second preview zone with unique terrain and objectives
Outpost
Mentioned Locations:
- Flight Control (southern area)
- Orientation (southeastern area)
🚀 Need Help Dominating Marathon?
Marathon's extraction gameplay is brutally unforgiving—one mistake and you lose everything. Don't let the learning curve cost you hours of progress!
Our Marathon Services:
✅ Runner Leveling — Fast level 30 for Server Slam rewards
✅ Faction Reputation Farming — Unlock all faction upgrades quickly
✅ Contract Completion — Professional completion of difficult contracts
✅ Loot Extraction Runs — Maximize profits with guaranteed extractions
✅ PvP Training — Learn combat tactics from top players
✅ Loadout Optimization — Expert advice on best builds
✅ Coaching Sessions — 1-on-1 training for all skill levels
Perfect for:
- New players learning extraction mechanics
- Solo players struggling with 6-team competition
- Anyone wanting Server Slam rewards without the grind
- Competitive players seeking optimal strategies
🎯 Final Thoughts
Marathon represents Bungie's bold entry into the extraction shooter genre, blending the studio's legendary shooter pedigree with hardcore survival mechanics. With 7 unique Runners, deep customization systems, and high-stakes extraction gameplay, Marathon promises to deliver intense, rewarding experiences for both casual and competitive players.
Key Takeaways:
- Server Slam starts February 26 — Don't miss exclusive rewards
- Full launch March 5, 2026 — Mark your calendars
- Master one Runner first — Don't spread yourself too thin
- Faction progression is crucial — Focus early on one main faction
- Extraction is everything — Greed kills; know when to leave
Ready to become a legendary Runner? Our professional team can fast-track your progression, teach advanced tactics, and help you dominate Tau Ceti IV from day one
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Marathon release?
A: March 5, 2026 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Q: Is there cross-play?
A: Yes! Full cross-play and cross-save across all platforms.
Q: What is the Server Slam?
A: An open preview weekend (Feb 26-Mar 2) where you can earn exclusive rewards for launch.
Q: Do I lose everything when I die?
A: Yes. Marathon is an extraction shooter—if you don't extract, you lose your run's loot. Persistent gear (owned weapons/mods) is not lost.
Q: How many players per match?
A: Up to 6 teams compete simultaneously.
Q: Is Marathon free-to-play?
A: Not confirmed. Check official announcements for pricing.
Q: Can I play solo?
A: Yes, but you'll face full teams. Some Runners (like Thief, Assassin) are better suited for solo play.
Q: What's the difference between Runners?
A: Each Runner has unique abilities, passives, and tactical roles (tank, DPS, support, intel, etc.).
Q: How does faction progression work?
A: Complete contracts during runs to earn reputation. Higher rep unlocks better weapons, mods, and upgrades.
Q: Are there PvE enemies?
A: Yes. Marathon is PvPvE—you'll fight both AI enemies and other player teams
