In December, we shared a new look at Marathon in our ViDoc, where we dove into things like immersion, zones, new features since alpha, and more. Today we want to share more about Runner shells, the moddable biosynthetic bodies you’ll inhabit on your runs to Tau Ceti.
You can watch the full video now.
Runner Shells: Tools for Survival
As a Runner, you’ve sacrificed your physical form and transferred your consciousness into a biosynthetic shell designed to help you survive Tau Ceti—or at least make it so dying isn’t a permanent affliction. Each Runner shell is built around a different gameplay archetype, such as intel gathering, combat disruption, or combat healing. With distinct silhouettes, shells allow you to evaluate player threats and strategize your next steps on the fly.
Each Runner shell’s playstyle can be customized using the cores, implants, weapons, and mods you bring on your runs. We’ll talk about the ways you can customize your shells visually in the future, including more details on the earnable cosmetics you’ll unlock through the Codex and other ways.
Customize Your Playstyle
There are multiple ways you can play each Runner shell, and the gear you equip allows you to push each archetype in different directions.
For example, with Vandal you can lean into a mobility build, with powerful map traversal and repositioning. Equip cores that turn your double jump into a triple jump, and implants that increase your base movement speed, jump height, and improve your heat capacity.
Or you could go for a more chaotic and disruptive playstyle. For example, there's a combination for Vandal that lets you turn your arm cannon into a self-propel, which you can then fire downwards to propel yourself into the air, use your airtime to position where to land, then deal AoE damage wherever you fall without taking fall damage.
Combine your cores, implants, and Runner shells with the weapons and mods at your disposal to craft your unique playstyle and theorycraft new ways to survive and reach greater heights.
Cores and Implants – What's the Difference?
Cores and implants both modify your Runner shell, but they do so in different ways.
Cores are generally designed for one specific Runner shell, and they tend to buff or modify the way your abilities work. For example, one of Thief's cores gives you a second charge of your Grapple Device, and another causes your Pickpocket Drone to periodically ping nearby enemies while it’s not being piloted.
Implants can be used by any Runner shell, and they grant additional stats as well as a random perk. The highest-tier implants also have a bonus fixed perk, such the implant Ping+ V5, where your pings remain attached to enemies for a short period of time after breaking line of sight.
Runner Shell Rundown
Head over to today’s video to learn more.
Runner Shell – Destroyer
Archetype: Combat specialist
Armed with a personal defense barricade, missile systems, and movement thrusters, Destroyer shells are designed to bring the fight to enemy threats.
Runner Shell – Assassin
Archetype: Shadow agent
Synthetic smoke deployment and camouflage technology allow Assassin shells to plan unseen strikes or take cover during hostile engagements.
Runner Shell – Recon
Archetype: Intel specialist
Recon shells excel at identifying threats and tracking movements using echo pulses, tracker drones, and holographic footstep trails.
Runner Shell – Vandal
Archetype: Combat anarchist
Vandal shells traverse ground at incredible speeds, using their advanced movement and knockback cannon to disrupt combat.
Runner Shell – Thief
Archetype: Covert acquisitions
With enhanced visors and piloted butterfly drone, Thief shells can locate and acquire loot, then use their grapple to push an advantage or make an escape.
Runner Shell – Triage
Archetype: Field medic
Triage shells help keep themselves and allies alive using deployable healing drones, onboard reboot abilities, and combat buffs.
Scavenger Mode – Rook
Archetype: Scavenger
The Rook frame is designed for scavenger mode, a unique way to play Marathon. As Rook, you’ll drop into a match that’s already in progress as a solo player. You won’t be able to bring a loadout, but you also aren’t risking anything, which makes Rook an excellent option for scavengers.
More Marathon news is on the way, so stay tuned to our social channels and join our community Discord to keep up with the latest updates. 🐛