Marathon Tips: Combat, PvP, Exfil, Looting

Marathon can be a frustrating game like any other extraction shooter, and even veterans of the genre are learning it the hard way. From unwritten rules that the game doesn't explain at all to hidden shell stats that are critical to helping players decide which one to master, we've put together a complete guide detailing a lot of things you need to know about how PvP works in the game and how to avoid it if you don't want to fight other players.

Plus, there are plenty of helpful tips on how to increase your chances with a Shell that suits your playstyle, and weapons that are ready for each type of Runner Shell. On the other hand, an in-depth exploration of Exfil and its do's and don'ts will help players know when and where to extract so they don't get frustrated by subsequent raids by campers and PvP-hungry players. Check out the best PvP tips and tricks for marathon.

Some basics: Choosing a sheath and gluing it

One of the best tips from Marathon pro players: Shell is like a class and players should stick to and maintain them. The truth behind every failure Marathon the player is a refusal to compromise and stick to one of the shells available.

Each of them is suitable for a play stylefor example, Thief is a looter/gatherer that avoids combat, Recon is good for avoiding being ambushed by people who are hungry for PvP, and so on. Main Shell, learn all of his moves, tactics, abilities, and limitationsand you can do it Marathon.

For those who keep changing Shelly: The game will not punish youbut you will become a Jack of All Trades, a Master of None (and nothing better than a master of one) and likely to enter loss-creep this will eventually frustrate you.

Instead, try each Shell until you find the one that best suits your combat and playstyle, then stick with it and practice until you master it. Before making a long-term commitment to one of these, be sure to check out the following specs:

• Movement style (some grenades, like the Vandal, have a double jump or similar mechanic).
• Tactical ability (the one you will use most often).
• First class ability (a rare resource; learning how and when to use it is key).
• Features: Passive or active abilities of each Shell (for example, Assassin Shell becomes invisible when entering Smoke Cloud, ally or enemy).
• Statistics: Each Shell has its own stats (Agility, Heat Capacity, Melee Damage, Initial Recovery, Tactical Recovery, etc.).

All Shell stats in Marathon

Knowing each Shell's stats is essential to knowing its limitations, so here's a full breakdown of each Shell's base stats to help Marathon players compare the differences between them:

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The deadliest PvP weapons in Marathon

Image via GameRant; Source: Bungie

Know which ones they are the best weapons in Marathon is not only essential, but absolutely recommended for those who want to last a long time in this ruthless PvPvE game. Now it is also true that every runner has his favorite, which include e.g Combat Shotgun WSTR becomes the pinnacle of the meta. But as with any Bungie game with a frame mechanic, the shotgun is the traditional way to mess with people in PvP.

The same thing happens with snipers and Long shot is a death sentence for any unwary runner who loots without cover. This is another meta weapon that players are sure to find in the arsenal of top scorers, especially those who Explorer, thief and killer.

Now, Vandal players always use a BRRT SMGor a Bully SMG (less powerful but deadly version) which is fast, deals tons of damage and also has a reload speed like no other weapon in the game. It's basically a short range weapon for a highly mobile build.

The Hard PR is a weapon for most Shells, but the Scout and Thief will get the most out of it due to its tactical advantage and placement abilities. It's a Scout Rifle type weapon (for those who play Destiny 2), so it's semi-automatic and has great accuracy. Those looking for a great weapon for both PvP and PvE look no further.

Top tips for staying safe during the Exfil Marathon

Now exfil is a critical thing Marathon, so let's do a quick breakdown of some of them the unwritten rules of Exfil and how it works:

• Exfil Spots move during a match – As the match progresses, new areas will become available and older ones will close.

• Exfil Spots can be Watched (having PvE enemies nearby) or Unguarded (safe for everyone). Players who go to Unguarded Exfils have a higher chance of getting ambushed by campers because these players avoid the noise with PvE.

• After activation Exfil Spot takes 30 seconds to start and has another 10 second window to enter and extract. Players should activate and then hide. Once the 10 second window opens, wait a short while before diving into the exfil. In other words, it takes a total of 40 seconds to extract.

• AND the match lasts 30 minutes (total), but players can be used up to the 20th minute, missing the first 10 minutes of the match. The average player extracts within the first 10-15 minutes after deploying, and that's a mistake: then everyone extracts. If you want to play it safer, focus on the last 5 minutes.

• Some arms and spoil can be Compromised (if readers played Divisionthey are similar to dark zone infected things) and a special item called 'Matter Fixative' must be used to extract them.

• Looting locations near Exfils often contain them better preymore later in the match to compensate for players joining later in the match.

• If players are downed, they can still extract by entering the last 10 second window and survive until Exfil.

Image via Bungie

In addition, players should know that some abilities such as Assassin's Smoke-screen and Destroyer's Riot Barricade Shieldare critical for safe extraction. Consider using these shells if you find yourself unable to mine due to harassing campers.

The trick to really safe extraction when playing in teams is to pre-assemble a team using Discord or Steam. Players who trust randomness and talk through in-game chat die more often than not because there's no way other players can't hear them.

On the other hand, players using Discord (or similar voice chat software) have a huge tactical advantage.

How to stealth loot in Marathon

There are two main rules for Stealthy Play or Stealth-Loot in Marathon. One is to equip the cores and mods by adding looting speed and the other is to equip the shell with high mobility or special abilities like Vandal and Thief.

Assassin is also good but is more vulnerable to finding PvE enemies or players. The Raven is the best of the best when it comes to cleaning and can be used for Stealth Looting also.

Now, actually, Runners always loot the wrong way. Approaching large points of interest early in the game is a big mistake. Marathon is a stealth extraction shooter, similar to games like War in the Gray Zone: Ruthless AI and even deadlier players.

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How to revive yourself in the Marathon

Self Reviving is a crucial mechanic in Marathon that will be extremely useful for players going solo raiding, here's how to do it.

stay quiet use a knife instead of a gun (you run and move faster with the knife), a looting marginal points of interest instead of heated central zones is the way to survive.

Once the players have unlocked enough Upgradesthey can loot more calmly as they will be better prepared to face both PvE and PvP enemies.

If players try to bite off more than they can chew in the first hours of the game (even if they only do missions) they will happen frustrated really fast and finally you quit the game. Better to be safe than sorry.

Marathon

Released

March 5, 2026

ESRB

Teen / Animated blood, language, violence, in-game purchases, user interaction

Multiplayer

Online multiplayer, online co-op

Cross-platform play

Full