Marathon Guide: Best Weapons & Loadouts

Marathon drops you into Tau Ceti as a Runner with one goal: scavenge, survive, and extract. As a PvPvE extraction FPS, you're facing both AI enemies and real players at the same time, which means your weapon choice and loadout setup can be the difference between a clean extraction and losing everything. With 28 weapons spread across eight categories, knowing where to start is genuinely tough. This guide breaks it all down so you can hit the ground running.

What Kind of Game Is Marathon?

Before diving into weapons, it helps to understand the context. Marathon is a PvPvE survival extraction shooter developed by Bungie. You play as a Runner Shell, dropping into the ruins of a long-lost human colony on Tau Ceti. Every match has you scavenging for gear, fighting AI combatants, and watching your back for other Runners who may want to take your loot.

Because threats come from multiple directions, your loadout needs to handle both precise AI encounters and fast, unpredictable PvP fights.

Runner Shell selection screen

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How Does the Weapon System Work?

Marathon currently features 28 weapons split across eight distinct categories. Each weapon uses one of five ammo types, and every gun supports between three and four Mod slots (called Mods rather than attachments).

All Weapon Categories and Their Guns

Here's the full breakdown of every weapon available at launch:

What Ammo Types Exist?

Every weapon in Marathon is tied to one of five ammo types:

• Light Bullets (SMGs, pistols)
• Heavy Rounds (LMGs, ARs)
• Volt Batteries (energy-based weapons)
• Volt Cells (railguns and select energy weapons)
• Mips Rounds (precision and sniper rifles)

When you equip a weapon, the required ammo type is displayed clearly in the Inventory > Weapons screen. You can purchase ammo directly from the Armory using Credits or find it by looting containers and enemy combatants during a match.

Armory weapon purchase menu

What Are the Best Weapons for Beginners?

With a roster this large, it's tempting to try everything at once. Based on early hands-on time with the game during the Server Slam preview, three weapons stood out as consistently reliable options, particularly for PvP engagements:

• M77 Assault Rifle: Strong damage output, solid range, and predictable recoil. A great all-rounder that performs well in most situations.
• Bully SMG: Fast and aggressive, ideal for close-range pressure and pushing enemies in tight corridors.
• V75 Scar AR: Another assault rifle with excellent control and range, making it a strong choice when you need consistent mid-range performance.

These three cover different ranges and playstyles, so pairing two of them (for example, the V75 Scar for mid-range and the Bully SMG for close quarters) gives you flexibility in most engagements.

M77 AR mod customization

How Does the Mod (Loadout) System Work?

Every weapon in Marathon supports three to four Mod slots. Mods are what other games call attachments, and they directly shape how your weapon performs in the field.

Types of Mods

The most universal Mod is the Chip Mod, which appears on every weapon and provides a direct boost to the gun's core performance stats. Beyond that, weapons can have:

• Magazine Mod: Affects ammo capacity and reload behavior
• Barrel Mod: Influences range, accuracy, or handling
• Grip Mod: Improves stability and control

The M77 Assault Rifle, for example, uses three Mod slots: a Chip Mod, a Grip Mod, and a Magazine Mod. Filling all three slots turns a solid base weapon into something genuinely powerful.

How to Get Mods

There are two main ways to acquire Mods:

1. Purchase from the Armory using in-game Credits (note that the Armory has limited stock and refreshes periodically, so check back regularly via the Armory tab)
2. Loot from containers and combatants during a match (this is often the most efficient method early on)

Weapon mod slot interface

Building Your First Loadout: Where to Start?

For new players, the goal isn't to find the single "best" weapon. It's to build a loadout that covers multiple ranges and gives you options when situations change fast.

Recommended Starter Loadout

Here's a solid starting point based on the weapons available at launch:

As you find Mods, prioritize equipping the Chip Mod first on whichever weapon you use most. It's the easiest way to get an immediate performance boost without needing to understand the full Mod system yet.

Playstyle Considerations

• Aggressive players will love pairing the Bully SMG with the M77 AR for a fast, pressure-based kit
• Methodical players who prefer controlled engagements should lean into the V75 Scar AR and a Precision Rifle for consistent damage at range
• Extraction-focused players looking to stay alive and get out clean might prioritize a Shotgun for close encounters and a reliable AR for AI clearing

Tips for Managing Your Loadout Mid-Match

Your loadout isn't static. Marathon rewards players who adapt on the fly. Here are a few practical habits to build early:

• Check every container and enemy drop for Mods, even if you don't need them immediately. You can equip Mods directly from the Inventory screen mid-match.
• Pay attention to what ammo you're picking up. Grabbing a new weapon that uses a different ammo type can leave you short on both guns if you're not careful.
• If you find a better weapon on the ground (from a defeated player or enemy), check its Mod slots before swapping. A modded lower-tier weapon often outperforms an unmodded higher-tier one.

What's Next for Marathon's Weapon Meta?

Marathon is a live game, and the weapon meta will evolve as Bungie responds to player data and feedback. The 28-weapon roster at launch gives plenty of room for the community to discover hidden gems and optimal pairings beyond what early testing has shown.

The core systems, ammo types, Mod slots, and the Armory refresh cycle are all foundational mechanics that won't change dramatically. Getting comfortable with them now means you'll adapt faster as the meta develops and new content arrives.