The first weekly Marathon update addresses some of the main gameplay issues players have experienced since launch, including high demands for healing supplies and ammunition, as well as the overwhelming power of thermal scopes.
Here are the key changes in the Marathon update 1.0.0.4 patch notes.
Table of contents
Everything included in Marathon update 1.0.0.4
Reduced UESC health and shields
In update 1.0.0.4, Bungie reduced the health of most UESC enemies and the shields of UESC bosses by a small amount. One of the main complaints regarding the UESC has been that enemies are too bullet-spongy, and this change aims to reduce ammo demand while keeping the AI dangerous. Bungie also emphasized that it’s aware the community enjoys the difficulty of UESC combatants and has no plans to reduce that friction.
More healing items and supplies
On the topic of supplies, Bungie increased the number of Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates that can spawn on Perimeter, giving new players (or those who are taking a break from other zones) more opportunities to survive on Tau Ceti IV. Starting ammo in MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne free Sponsored Kits is also increased if you decide to do a run on a budget.
Thermal scope nerf
Since launch, thermal scopes have been dominating Marathon loadouts thanks to how easy it is to spot enemies with them. Regardless of whether an enemy is using Assassin’s invisibility or hides in the bushes on Dire Marsh, thermal scopes will spot them.
To address that, Bungie reduced the visual clarity of targets through thermal scopes and adjusted the max distance of the thermal highlight, with the biggest change affecting snipers.
- Pistols: 40m down from 55m
- Rifles, LMGs, and SMGs: 60m down from 65m
- Precision rifles: 80m down from 100m
- Snipers: 100m down from 180m
Rook’s WSTR Shotgun
A small yet impactful change is that the Rook’s WSTR Shotgun now spawns as Compromised, which means you can’t extract it unless you find a Matter Fixative. This will limit the amount of free shotguns you can get your hands on by simply doing Rook runs with the faction upgrade.
On the upside, exfiling with Rook now grants increased CyAc reputation alongside the same reputation bonuses as if you were playing regular solos.
Broken Wing access temporarily disabled
Accessing the Pinwheel on Outpost is the main objective for most teams, as that’s where the best loot is. While you can enter it using keycards, a fast and easy method is to use the alternative entrance at the Broken Wing. Instead of keycards, you have to shoot four switches around the wing, making it a fast and simple access point.
Bungie is disabling the Broken Wing entrance to the Pinwheel and is working on tweaks to “maintain the spirit of the ‘silent’ entrance while better matching the risk / reward.” In the meantime, all other ways into the Pinwheel remain available.
