Marathon Runners: All Four Classes in Bungie’s New Extraction Game

Prepare for deployment in Bungie’s highly anticipated extraction shooter, Marathon! Your choice of Runner functions similarly to selecting a hero in competitive shooters, with each character providing specialized tactical approaches that define your strategic options. While the adrenaline-fueled combat will immediately capture your attention, truly mastering your Runner’s capabilities is essential for long-term success in hostile environments. This comprehensive guide delivers an in-depth examination of all currently announced Marathon Runners and their distinctive skill sets. We’re covering the initial four combat specialists, and will expand our coverage as additional Runners join the roster when the game releases on September 23rd.

As noted previously, Marathon has unveiled four Runners in the current build. Early alpha testing and official gameplay demonstrations indicate that two additional characters will be integrated into the selection pool post-launch. Between extraction missions, you maintain complete freedom to switch Runners, and most equipment maintains universal compatibility across your roster. With the exception of certain elite-tier, character-specific gear pieces, weapons, core systems, and cybernetic implants can be transferred between all Runners without restriction. Every Runner possesses a comprehensive set of four capabilities: a game-changing ‘Prime‘ ability comparable to ultimate moves, a flexible ‘Tactical‘ ability for situational responses, and two inherent traits that substantially impact combat effectiveness.

Although the fundamental Marathon gameplay loop remains consistent regardless of your selected Runner, your chosen specialist introduces critical strategic variations, especially in how you initiate and manage firefight engagements. Let’s dive into the complete roster of available Runners and their combat specialties.

Combat Role: Glitch dominates the battlefield through exceptional speed and acrobatic mobility, specializing in three-dimensional combat. Her superior vertical movement enables capture of dominant positions that remain unreachable by conventional Runners, transforming architectural elements into strategic advantages.

Prime Ability Analysis:

• Amplify: Overcharge your kinetic systems to dramatically reduce thermal buildup from aggressive maneuvers. This enhancement provides substantial movement velocity increases and significantly improved weapon readiness.

Tactical Ability Breakdown:

• Disruptor: Deploy a concussive energy discharge by transforming your arm into an energy projector. A rapid activation releases a damaging projectile that forcefully repels opponents. Sustained activation through trigger depression magnifies the explosive output, dramatically expanding both area of effect and destructive potential.

Primary Trait:

• Microjets: During aerial movement, you can activate supplemental propulsion for additional mobility, though this enhanced movement capability will accelerate your thermal accumulation.

Advanced Glitch Strategies:

• Heat Management: Monitor your thermal levels constantly – overheating disables abilities and slows movement
• Vertical Dominance: Use Microjets to access sniper perches and flanking routes unavailable to other Runners
• Ability Synergy: Chain Disruptor knockbacks into Amplify speed boosts for devastating hit-and-run tactics
• Common Mistake: Avoid spamming Microjets without thermal awareness – strategic positioning beats constant movement

Combat Role: Void establishes defensive superiority through protective barriers and area denial capabilities. His tactical approach revolves around creating safe zones for teammates and controlling engagement distances through strategic shield placement.

Prime Ability Analysis:

• Barrier Projection: Generate energy shields that block incoming fire while allowing outgoing projectiles. Perfect for securing extraction points or creating temporary cover in open areas.

Tactical Ability Breakdown:

• Kinetic Pulse: Emit a directional shockwave that destabilizes enemy positioning and interrupts ability channels.

Defensive Traits:

• Reinforced Plating: Receive reduced damage from explosive weapons and environmental hazards.
• Support Matrix: Nearby allies gain minor damage resistance when within proximity of your defensive abilities.

Void Optimization Tips:

• Shield Positioning: Angle barriers to create overlapping fields of fire while protecting retreat routes
• Team Coordination: Communicate shield deployment to maximize protective coverage for squad movements
• Advanced Technique: Use Kinetic Pulse to break enemy formations before deploying barriers to isolate targets
• Time Investment: Master barrier placement angles – expect 2-3 hours of practice for optimal positioning

Combat Role: Locus dominates the information warfare landscape through advanced sensor systems and positional intelligence. His toolkit focuses on revealing enemy movements and creating tactical advantages through superior battlefield awareness.

Prime Ability Analysis:

• Sensor Sweep: Deploy a scanning pulse that highlights enemy positions through walls and terrain. Critical for planning ambushes or avoiding unexpected engagements.

Tactical Ability Breakdown:

• Positional Drone: Launch a reconnaissance drone that provides aerial surveillance and can mark high-value targets.

Reconnaissance Traits:

• Enhanced Optics: Spot enemies at greater distances and maintain target tracking through light cover.

Locus Strategic Applications:

• Information Priority: Use Sensor Sweep before entering new areas to avoid ambushes and flanking maneuvers
• Drone Management: Position reconnaissance drones at elevation for maximum coverage area and early warning
• Common Error: Don’t waste drone deployments in already-cleared zones – conserve for high-risk areas
• Team Play: Call out marked targets to coordinate focused fire with squad members

Combat Role: Blackbird operates through stealth infiltration and precision elimination tactics. Her methodology emphasizes silent movement, target isolation, and surgical strikes against high-priority objectives.

Prime Ability Analysis:

• Shadow Cloak: Activate optical camouflage that significantly reduces visibility to enemies. Movement and weapon fire gradually degrade cloak effectiveness, requiring strategic timing.

Tactical Ability Breakdown:

• Silent Takedown: Execute close-range incapacitation moves that eliminate targets without alerting nearby enemies.

Stealth Traits:

• Acoustic Dampening: Footsteps and ability activation generate substantially reduced audio cues.

Blackbird Execution Techniques:

• Cloak Management: Activate Shadow Cloak during repositioning rather than sustained combat
• Flanking Routes: Use stealth to access enemy rear positions for devastating surprise attacks
• Advanced Play: Combine Silent Takedown with cloak for chain eliminations without detection
• Optimal Timing: Use cloak during the initial 45-60 seconds of engagement for maximum positional advantage

Selecting your ideal Marathon Runner requires honest assessment of your preferred combat methodology and team role preferences. Aggressive players who thrive on constant movement and positional warfare will find Glitch perfectly suited to their style. Defensive-minded operators who prioritize team protection and area control should master Void’s capabilities. Strategic players who value information superiority and tactical positioning will excel with Locus. Stealth specialists who prefer surgical strikes and psychological warfare should develop their skills with Blackbird.

Remember that Runner selection isn’t permanent – the flexibility to switch between matches allows you to adapt to evolving team compositions and mission objectives. As you explore the Complete Guide to Marathon’s combat systems, you’ll discover how each specialist’s abilities complement different extraction strategies. As the game evolves post-launch, we anticipate additional Runners joining the roster, further expanding tactical possibilities for seasoned operatives.

No reproduction without permission：Tsp Game Club » Marathon Runners: All Four Classes in Bungie’s New Extraction Game Master Marathon's four unique Runners with expert strategies, ability breakdowns, and tactical optimization tips