In May 2023, the studio Bungie announced the sci-fi PvPvE extraction shooter Marathon during the PlayStation Showcase presentation. The game is a continuation of the series of shooters of the same name that were released in the mid-1990s.
The events of Marathon take place in the year 2850 on the planet Tau Ceti IV. Players take on the role of “Runners,” who are cybernetic mercenaries tasked with exploring dangerous zones and searching for various artifacts and supplies.
The game was released on March 5, 2026, and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Players have received the game quite well; on Steam it has 87% positive reviews, with a peak concurrent player count of 88,337.
That is why we have created a short Marathon guide for you, which will help you understand the game.
Core Gameplay in Marathon
The goal of players is to collect valuable resources and technology on the map, after which they must evacuate.
A danger during a raid is the possibility of encountering enemies, so frequent PvPvE encounters are guaranteed. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a balance between the desire to obtain maximum loot and leaving the area in time, avoiding the risk of being killed and losing the collected resources.
In Marathon, greed often leads to losing everything.
The Role of Factions in Marathon
To progress in Marathon, you need to complete various contracts that you receive from factions. By completing these contracts, you will earn reputation, which grants access to each faction’s exclusive shop, where you can purchase special weapon modifications, powerful gadgets, and other items that are not available anywhere else.
Here is a brief overview of the available factions:
🟣 CyberAcme
This is the starting faction and is quite versatile. It focuses on basic mechanics such as inventory management, looting, and heat control.
🟢 NuCaloric
Contracts from this faction are more focused on exploring abandoned colonies. Through it, you can improve your survival skills, healing, and shields.
🔴 Traxus
This is the largest weapons corporation, so it follows the principle of “high risk – high reward.” Contracts from this faction are quite dangerous but provide access to much better weapons and powerful modifications.
🟠 Mida
This is a resistance movement that opposes other corporations in Marathon. Its contracts are based on sabotage, and completing them grants access to various gadgets such as grenades, mines, and other tools for indirect pressure on the enemy.
⚫ Arachne
This faction is focused on PvP tasks, with contracts often involving hunting other players in dangerous zones. As a reward, you will be able to upgrade melee combat skills, combat implants, and kill execution speed.
🔵 Sekiguchi
This is a genetic corporation that created the core technology for the “Runners.” Contracts from this faction speed up ability recovery, increase base survivability, and most importantly, reduce death penalties.
💡 Tip: We recommend actively leveling several factions that best suit your playstyle. Focusing on just one faction will make it harder to quickly adapt to unpredictable situations in the game.
Classes in Marathon
Marathon features six main Runner classes. Each class has a different set of unique active abilities, passive bonuses, and movement physics. All of this directly affects the player’s tactics during a raid.
Currently, the class tier list in Marathon looks as follows:
| Tier | Classes |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Triage, Thief, Recon |
| A-Tier | Assassin, Vandal |
| B-Tier | Destroyer |
⭐ S-Tier
Triage
An important player for the team thanks to the ability to heal autonomously and revive allies at a distance.
Thief
Its advantage is the grappling hook, which allows for maneuvering and stealing loot from enemy backpacks.
Recon
This class is essential in team play, as it can track enemies.
⚔️ A-Tier
Assassin
Best suited for solo players who focus on stealth and surprise attacks on enemies.
Vandal
A class for players who prefer an aggressive playstyle; thanks to double jumps and knockback cannons, it allows for quick repositioning and catching enemies off guard.
🛡️ B-Tier
Destroyer
A heavy fighter equipped with homing missiles and an energy shield that absorbs damage.
🔫 Weapon Meta in Marathon
Currently, the weapon meta in Marathon is built around three main factors:
- Overall damage output
- Reliability
- Impact on the course of a match
Therefore, it is important to understand which weapons are the most optimal in order to maintain a high success rate in raids.
🔥 Best Weapons Right Now
If we talk about the most optimal weapon choices, you should pay attention to the following weapons:
- Bully SMG (SMG)
- Longshot (sniper rifle)
- Misriah-2442 (shotgun)
- Hardline PR (rifle)
- Stryder M1T (rifle)
At the moment, these weapons are considered the best in the game.
👍 Good Alternative Weapons
You can also take a look at the following weapons:
- Impact HAR
- M77 assault rifle
- V85 Circuit Breaker
- WSTR Combat Shotgun
- Demolition HMG
- Overrun AR
However, it cannot be said that these weapons will be effective in all situations.
❌ Weapons to Avoid
It is best to avoid:
- Conquest LMG
- Magnum MC
- Retaliator LMG
- V11 Punch
- CE Tactical Sidearm
In all parameters, they are significantly weaker than their competitors.
🎥 Official Marathon Gameplay Video
Tips for Successful Gameplay in Marathon
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Sound plays a crucial role in Marathon. Game director Joe Ziegler has emphasized that players will often hear enemies before seeing them.
Proper audio settings can significantly improve your reaction time and awareness during firefights.
🎧 Recommended Audio Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Listen Mode | Headphones or Studio Reference |
| SFX Volume | 8–10 |
| Game Volume | 10 |
| Gameplay Music Volume | Turn it off or set it to minimum |
| Cinematics Volume | 5–6 |
| Lobby Music Volume | Up to your preference |
| Chat Volume | 5–7 |
Don’t Be Stingy with Resources
Raids on Tau Ceti require plenty of resources. Besides PvP encounters, players must also deal with dangerous PvE enemies.
Always bring enough:
- Ammunition
- Medical supplies
- Utility items
Running out of resources at the wrong moment can easily cost you the raid.
Focus on Priority Contracts
Priority faction contracts allow you to level up faster and unlock stronger equipment more efficiently.
Manage Your Heat Level Effectively
Heat acts as a stamina system that directly affects mobility.
Useful tips:
- Crouching speeds up Heat recovery
- Staying in water cools Heat faster
- Reaching the red zone causes significantly slower recovery
Managing Heat properly is essential during extended fights and rotations.
Play as a Team
While this may sound obvious, teamwork has a massive impact in Marathon.
Coordinated teams can:
- Complete contracts faster
- Cover each other during fights
- Revive allies safely
- Escape dangerous situations more consistently
Good communication and teamwork dramatically increase your survival chances.
We hope this guide was helpful for you. Good luck with your raids!
