Unlike most extraction shooters on the market, Marathon is a class-based game. Classes, or archetypes, are called Runner Shells, and each comes with a distinct set of abilities you can further build on using Cores and Implants.
On Jan. 15, Bungie revealed seven Runner Shells coming to Marathon when it launches in March. Some we’ve seen from the alpha gameplay last year, some received a slight makeover, while others are completely new. Regardless of what type of player you are, there’s a Runner Shell for you.
In the reveal, we got a detailed look at the Thief archetype. As the name implies, Thief is all about loot, with a Grapple Device to quickly escape, an ability to show containers through walls, and even a Pickpocket Drone that can knock out loot from enemies. Leaning more into the loot-goblin fantasy, Thief’s base stats and Grapple Device recharge rate increase the more loot you have in your backpack. Prepare to fill your pockets, even if it’s with useless garbage.
The other new Runner Shell is Triage. Triage is a medic archetype that might be a must-pick when playing with a team. It can revive players from afar and give them healing drones. What’s more important, whenever Triage uses a consumable, it gets copied to all allies with healing drones.
Lastly, Rook is an archetype used in scavenger runs. In scavenger runs, you don’t use your own loadout. Instead, you get a starting kit, load into the ongoing match solo, and loot as much as possible. To make the scavenging part easier, Rook comes with an ability to blend in with the UESC. It puts on a mask that doesn’t render you hostile in the eyes of the AI enemies, so you can run in and out of facilities without making unnecessary noise.
Bungie also showcased some familiar Runner Shells but under new names. Vandal (previously Glitch) is all about movement, like double jumping and sliding. Destroyer (previously Locus) is designed for frontlining with the riot barricade. Recon (previously Blackbird) tracks down enemies. And Assassin (previously Void), which features a kit centered around invisibility, with abilities quite similar to Destiny 2‘s Void Hunter.
Despite looking like a hero-based game, Marathon allows you to further customize your playstyle with Cores and Implants. Cores are modifications designed for a specific Runner Shell. They can give you an extra Grapple Device charge on Thief or add a new feature to the Pickpocket Drone. On the other hand, Implants are universal upgrades that give stats and random perks to your character.
There are also combinations of Cores and Implants that work together, with effects that expand into other gameplay systems. Paired with a variety of weapons, the goal is to have buildcrafting options for every playstyle.
