Killing other Runners is one thing. Clearing rooms full of UESC machines is another challenge entirely, and it rewards a completely different weapon philosophy. CPU enemies are more predictable than human players, but the tankier units absorb punishment in ways that expose weak loadouts fast. After testing every weapon category against UESC encounters across multiple run types, the picks below are what consistently get the job done.
What makes a good PvE weapon in Marathon?
Raw damage numbers only tell part of the story. The best PvE weapons in Marathon clear bots efficiently, stretch your ammo reserves across a full run, and handle shielded or armored targets without forcing you to dump half your magazine into a single enemy. Time-to-kill against UESC units, headshot multiplier value, and how often you can find the weapon during a run all factor in.
The meta distinction here matters: weapons that top the PvP charts, like the WSTR Combat Shotgun, actually drop in PvE value because shotguns struggle against tankier targets at anything beyond point-blank range. The best PvE picks tend to be precision-oriented or high-fire-rate options that reward accurate shooting.
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Focus on Faction Contracts and looting UESC-controlled zones to find higher rarity versions of these weapons. Blue and Purple rarity rolls bring noticeably better stat packages and attachment coverage.
BR33 loadout for PvE runs
The best PvE weapons ranked
BR33 Volley Rifle
The BR33 Volley Rifle sits at the top of the PvE list for one simple reason: it does everything well. Consistent burst damage, low recoil, and excellent stability make it the most reliable weapon for clearing bots at mid-range. The ammo efficiency is strong enough to sustain through long UESC encounters without running dry, and it transitions cleanly into PvP if another squad shows up mid-run.
According to testing across both PvP and PvE scenarios, this is currently the best all-around gun in Marathon. Pick it up whenever you find it.
Outland sniper rifle
The Outland is slower than the Longshot, but it hits harder per shot, which matters when you are opening fights against UESC units that have not spotted your squad yet. A clean headshot before the engagement starts strips a significant chunk of health from even advanced enemies, and following up with a body shot finishes most standard units without burning additional ammo.
For static or slow-moving UESC targets, Outland is almost unfair. The key is positioning: get the first shot off before they alert, and the fight is already half won.
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Outland punishes inexperienced players hard. If you miss the opener or get rushed, you will need a strong close-range backup ready immediately.
Hardline PR
The Hardline PR gets dismissed by a lot of players, but that reputation is mostly a PvP complaint carrying over into PvE discussions where it does not belong. Three qualities make it genuinely good against UESC: long-range precision, a meaningful headshot multiplier, and the fact that it spawns in free kits and shows up constantly across the map.
Early in your progression, when your vault is still stocked with gray and green gear, Hardline PR handles almost every UESC unit cleanly. As your loadouts improve and blue-tier options become standard, you will naturally move on, but writing it off entirely is a mistake.
M77 Assault Rifle
The M77 Assault Rifle would probably be the top assault rifle in Marathon if the BR33 did not exist. It deals strong damage, feels comfortable to control, and its shield-stripping performance against UESC units is better than its fire rate suggests. Fewer bullets to break a shield means fewer bullets wasted, which compounds over a full run.
The one real limitation: M77 loses effectiveness at longer distances. Keep engagements at mid-range or closer and it performs excellently. Try to use it as a sniper substitute and you will feel the damage falloff immediately.
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Use the M77 while staying within comfortable engagement distance. It is a mid-range specialist, not a long-range answer.
BRRT SMG
The BRRT SMG is not the most stable submachine gun in Marathon, and at distance it becomes genuinely unreliable. Against UESC, though, those weaknesses matter less. Many bot types close distance aggressively, which plays directly into BRRT's high fire rate and per-bullet damage output. When every shot connects at close range, the time-to-kill is excellent.
BRRT shows up frequently during runs and often comes with multiple attachments when found in higher-tier areas. If you cannot get your hands on one, the Bully SMG is a strong substitute with better stability and similar close-range killing power.
PvE weapon tier list
How to choose the right PvE loadout
The core principle is covering two distance bands. UESC encounters happen at all ranges depending on the zone, so pairing a long-range answer like Outland or BR33 with a close-range option like BRRT SMG or Bully SMG keeps you prepared for whatever configuration the bots are holding.
Ammo economy also shapes loadout decisions more in PvE than in PvP. Precision rifles on light ammo are easier to sustain than heavy or Volt-based setups. The V75 Scar is worth noting here: it ranks as an S-tier PvE option specifically because of its strong battery economy when managed correctly, which makes it more forgiving than most Volt weapons in extended clears.
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Weapon rarity changes how a gun performs significantly. A Purple-rarity M77 with a magazine mod and recoil chip plays very differently from a gray-rarity base version. Prioritize map events like Lockdown and Priority Targets for upgraded drops.
What weapons should beginners use for PvE?
If you are still learning Marathon's maps and pacing, three weapons make the most sense: Hardline PR for range, BRRT SMG for close encounters, and M77 Assault Rifle as a flexible all-rounder. All three appear frequently during runs, do not require exotic attachment packages to function, and teach solid fundamentals around positioning and ammo management.
Avoid jumping straight to Outland or WSTR early. Both are powerful but punish positioning mistakes hard, and losing high-rarity gear before you understand the maps is a fast way to set your progression back.
Final loadout recommendations
The strongest PvE setup right now pairs BR33 Volley Rifle with either BRRT SMG or Bully SMG. BR33 handles mid-to-long range UESC encounters with excellent ammo efficiency, while the SMG covers the close-range panic fights and bot rushes that every run eventually produces.
If you prefer sniper-led play, Outland plus Bully SMG is a high-reward combination for players comfortable with their aim. Open the fight from distance, strip health before the UESC unit activates, and let the Bully handle anything that closes in.
For more weapon guides, loadout breakdowns, and game strategy across every major title, browse the full guides section at GAMES.GG.