How to earn Cradle XP in Marathon and best stats to upgrade

Cradle in Marathon is the main way to increase Runner Shell stats apart from Implants. As you play the game and earn Cradle XP, you can upgrade any of the six stat categories and tailor them to a specific build or loadout.

Below is a complete breakdown of the Cradle system in Marathon, how to earn Cradle XP, and which stats to invest in.

How to earn Cradle XP in Marathon

Better than selling them for Credits. Screenshot by Dot Esports

To earn Cradle XP in Marathon, complete any contracts or convert the gear you don’t need using Matter Converter. The Cradle XP scales with item rarity. An Enhanced Base Backpack gives only 250 XP, whereas a Deluxe one gives 2,200.

contracts:

There’s a bug when certain CyberAcme contracts don’t grant Cradle XP.

To convert an item into Cradle XP:

1. Open the Vault and hover over an item.
2. Select Convert Matter (C on PC).
3. Select any additional items (Shift + RMB on PC).
4. Press Convert Matter again.
5. Confirm conversion.

Here are the items you can convert into Cradle XP:

• Weapons
• Backpacks
• Weapon mods
• Salvage
• Consumables
• Keys
• Equipment
• Shields
• Implants
• Cores

Here are the items you can’t convert into Cradle XP:

• Sponsored Kits
• Ammo

How to use Cradle in Marathon

Endurance is a strong start. Screenshot by Dot Esports

You can access the Cradle through the Shell menu. Cradle progress and configuration are shared across all Runner Shells and reset each new season. Throughout the season, you can freely change stat distribution and try different builds without any penalties.

Every Cradle level grants an Energy point that you can invest into one of six categories/WEAVEworms to increase specific stats:

• Strength : Melee Damage and Finisher Siphon.
• Recharge : Prime Recovery and Tactical Recovery.
• Dexterity : Agility and Loot Speed.
• Endurance : Heat Capacity and Fall Resistance.
• Support : Revive Speed and Ping Duration.
• Resistance : Self-Repair Speed, Hardware, and Firewall.

Select a category and choose to add or remove Energy. Investing enough Energy into a WEAVEworm unlocks additional perks, like Quick Vent in Endurance, which reduces the time until heat recovery begins after actions that generate heat.

Best stats to upgrade in Marathon

Don’t be afraid of experimenting. Image via Bungie

The best stats to upgrade in the Cradle often depend on the Runner Shell and the build. However, there are three stat categories that are worth investing in regardless of your loadout.

Here are the WEAVEworms you should prioritize upgrading in Marathon:

1. Endurance
2. Resistance
3. Recharge

Endurance is the most important category, as it increases Heat Capacity, allowing you to run, slide, and jump more before needing to cool down. High Heat Capacity is important to stay mobile in a gunfight and is handy when exploring Tau Ceti IV.

In the Resistance category, Self-Repair Speed increases the speed at which healing consumables work. The faster you heal, the faster you can get back into a fight. Hardware and Firewall are also decent, but are not a must if you play cautiously and have a Mechanic’s Kit or two.

The last universal category is Recharge to lower ability cooldowns. The remaining stats depend mainly on your build. Melee builds benefit from additional perks in the Strength category. Triage support loadouts improve with the Support category stats, and so on.

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