Best Weapon In Marathon: Meta & Tierlist

Marathon features 28 weapons across eight types, from sidearms to sniper rifles. Understanding the current meta is crucial for success in the extraction shooter, where loadouts are temporary, and every encounter is high-stakes. The best guns often excel in specific ranges, with shotguns dominating close-quarters and precision rifles controlling long-range engagements. This Marathon guide details the top-performing weapons, their strengths, and how to best utilize them on Tau Ceti IV.

Marathon Weapon Guide

Players begin with one faction and permanently unlock the other five (read more in the Marathon Faction guide) by completing specific "Liaison Contracts," allowing for simultaneous progression to acquire powerful seasonal upgrades. Weapons are a crucial element, acting as both essential tools for survival against other players and objectives in themselves, with certain factions rewarding the salvage of rare guns and mods.

S-Tier: Best Weapon (Marathon Meta)

The S-Tier weapons define the current Marathon meta. These guns are consistently powerful, versatile, and effective in almost any situation, regardless of attachments or player skill. Their performance is unmatched in their respective categories, making them the highest priority for any loadout. Securing one of these weapons significantly increases the probability of survival and successful extraction.

• Bully SMG
  
• Overrun AR
• Longshot
• BR33 Volley Rifle
• Outland

These weapons offer unparalleled stopping power and reliability. They are sought-after for their ability to end engagements decisively, often before an opponent has a chance to react. From the close-range devastation of the WSTR Combat Shotgun to the long-range precision of the Longshot and Outland, this tier represents the pinnacle of the Marathon arsenal.

Bully SMG

The Bully SMG fires Heavy Rounds and packs a serious punch in close- to mid-range combat. It has a slower rate of fire compared to other SMGs, which means good tracking and aim are necessary to make each shot count. The weapon's reliable performance and power make it a great early-game pick and a strong choice for players who prefer an aggressive, in-your-face playstyle. Its primary drawback is the need for a consistent supply of Heavy Rounds, which can occupy significant inventory space.

Overrun AR

The Overrun AR is a basic assault rifle using Light Rounds, often considered the most common weapon in the game. It has a high rate of fire and decent handling but suffers from low damage and poor accuracy at longer ranges. Higher-level variants with attachments can be strong, but the base version is unremarkable. It is a weapon frequently used by new players, but its mediocrity means it is quickly replaced once a superior option is found.

Longshot

The Longshot is a semi-automatic sniper rifle chambered in MIPS Rounds. It delivers devastating damage, capable of downing an enemy with a single headshot or leaving them vulnerable for a quick follow-up. Its semi-automatic nature is more forgiving than bolt-action alternatives, allowing for faster subsequent shots if the first one doesn't connect. This combination of high power and forgiving firing mechanism makes it a dominant force at long range. When equipped with a thermal scope, it becomes borderline overpowered, allowing users to pick off targets from across the map with lethal efficiency.

BR33 Volley Rifle

The BR33 Volley Rifle is a burst-fire precision rifle that fires Light Rounds. It stands out for its versatility and power across all ranges, capable of shredding shields and eliminating opponents with a single well-aimed burst. The weapon is remarkably stable with very little recoil, making it easy to handle during sustained mid-range firefights. Its performance is so consistent that it is considered a must-have weapon regardless of its rarity. The Volley Rifle is reminiscent of powerful burst rifles from other shooters, dropping players with high accuracy and reliability.

Outland

The Outland is a bolt-action sniper rifle that fires MIPS Rounds, delivering the highest single-shot damage among its peers. It is designed for extreme long-range engagements, where a single precise shot can eliminate a target instantly. While its bolt-action mechanism is punishing if you miss, the sheer stopping power makes it a feared weapon on Tau Ceti IV. It is very similar in quality and efficiency to the Longshot, but its slightly higher damage gives it an edge in pure power. For patient players who can guarantee their shots land, the Outland is an unparalleled tool for controlling sightlines.

A-Tier

A-Tier weapons are powerful and highly reliable options that are strong contenders in the meta. While not as universally dominant as S-Tier guns, they excel in their designated roles and can often outperform higher-tier weapons in specific scenarios or with the right attachments. These guns form the backbone of many successful loadouts, offering a strong balance of performance and accessibility.

• Hardline PR
• BRRT SMG
• Ares RG
• M77 Assault Rifle
• Misriah 2442

This tier includes a mix of versatile rifles, a hard-hitting SMG, and a powerful railgun. These weapons are effective and provide a competitive edge. A certain meta has already formed, and I think it will last for quite a long time, and over time one or two weapons will fall out of it, and new ones will get in, that is, those that will come with updates.

Hardline PR

The Hardline PR is a fast-firing precision rifle that uses Light Rounds. It is one of the first precision rifles many players encounter and remains one of the best due to its ease of use and forgiving nature. The weapon boasts a high rate of fire, very easy-to-use recoil, and a significant headshot multiplier, making it excellent for mid- to long-range combat. Its commonality means it is a great option to bring on any run, providing reliable damage output without the scarcity of some top-tier weapons.

BRRT SMG

The BRRT SMG is a burst-fire submachine gun that fires a rapid five-shot burst of Light Rounds. While players sometimes avoid burst weapons, the BRRT’s high rate of fire and manageable recoil make it exceptionally deadly. It outperforms many other SMGs in both close and mid-range fights due to its ability to deliver a high concentration of damage very quickly. Its fast-firing nature and great ammo economy make it a reliable primary weapon for players who can control its bursts to consistently land shots on target, making it one of the most vicious SMGs currently available.

Ares RG

The Ares RG is a railgun that fires Volt Cells and is defined by its phenomenal power. It features a wind-up charge mechanic before firing, making it feel clunky and requiring an adjustment to playstyle. However, its ability to deal 160 damage with a single headshot from 50 meters away is a worthy trade-off. The Ares demands practice to master its timing and movement, but in the hands of a skilled user, it is a fearsome weapon capable of ending fights before they truly begin.

M77 Assault Rifle

The M77 Assault Rifle is an accurate, controllable assault rifle that uses Light Rounds. It has no major weaknesses or standout strengths, making it a versatile "jack-of-all-trades" weapon. It features an intrinsic scope that can be swapped with its iron sights, giving it better utility at range than faster-firing assault rifles. While it may not win a close-range fight against a shotgun or out-snipe a precision rifle, its good ammo economy and adaptability make it a solid choice for many engagements.

Misriah 2442

The Misriah 2442 is a dependable pump-action shotgun that uses MIPS Rounds. It offers more rounds before a reload compared to its double-barreled counterpart, the WSTR, making it more forgiving in chaotic close-quarter fights. It is perfect for players who prefer to peek corners and engage in sustained close-range battles. While it doesn't have the same instant stopping power as the S-Tier shotguns, its reliability and solid damage output make it a strong and satisfying weapon to use.

B-Tier

B-Tier weapons are solid, usable guns that can be effective in the right hands and situations, but they are generally outclassed by those in higher tiers. They may have noticeable drawbacks, such as slower handling, niche applications, or a need for specific attachments to become competitive. These weapons are often good situational picks or stopgaps until a better option can be acquired.

• WSTR Combat Shotgun
  
• V75 Scar
• Demolition HMG
• V85 Circuit Breaker
• V66 Lookout
• Twin Tap HBR

This tier contains a variety of weapon types that are viable but not optimal. They can perform well but often require a more deliberate playstyle or specific circumstances to match the effectiveness of A-Tier and S-Tier weapons.

WSTR Combat Shotgun

The WSTR Combat Shotgun is a double-barreled shotgun that uses MIPS Rounds. It excels in close-quarters combat, capable of downing a shielded enemy with its two rapid shots. Its primary strength is its immense burst damage at point-blank range, making it a favored tool for aggressive players and ambushes. The weapon's effectiveness diminishes sharply with distance, requiring users to close the gap on their targets. Reloading after every two shots demands tactical repositioning, but the high reward of a quick elimination makes it a top-tier choice. Combining it with the Assassin Runner shell to sneak up on enemies is a particularly effective strategy.

V75 Scar

The V75 Scar is a versatile assault rifle that fires Volt Battery ammunition. It feels like a hybrid between an assault rifle and an SMG, performing well at close and medium ranges. Its Volt-powered rounds have a slight tracking effect, making it forgiving for players of all skill levels. However, its fire rate decreases with continuous fire, rewarding a burst-fire approach. It also benefits from the abundance of Volt ammo dropped by UESC bots.

Demolition HMG

The Demolition HMG is a machine gun firing Heavy Rounds, notable for being one of the better options in its class. It has the highest damage per shot of any automatic weapon but is balanced by an extremely slow rate of fire. This makes it feel powerful and sound phenomenal, but its slow firing speed holds it back in fast-paced encounters. It is effective for medium-distance combat and excels at taking down UESC bots, especially at higher rarity levels.

V85 Circuit Breaker

The V85 Circuit Breaker is a charge-up shotgun powered by a Volt Battery. It hits like a truck, delivering devastating damage if the user can manage its charge-up time. This mechanic makes it less straightforward to use than pump-action or double-barreled shotguns, requiring steady hands and good timing. While its potential damage is immense, the charge-up delay can be a significant disadvantage in the fast-paced, close-quarters fights where shotguns are meant to excel.

V66 Lookout

The V66 Lookout is a precision rifle that uses Volt Battery ammo and features a unique togglable firing mode. It can switch between a standard semi-automatic mode and a charge-up mode that delivers a single, more powerful shot. This versatility makes it great for initiating fights from a distance with a charged shot before switching to semi-auto for the ensuing battle. However, managing the two modes makes the weapon clunkier than its peers.

Twin Tap HBR

The Twin Tap HBR is a burst-fire precision rifle that fires a two-shot burst of Heavy Rounds. It feels great when both shots land on an enemy's head but can feel underwhelming otherwise. It hits hard but lacks the consistency and reliability of the BR33 Volley Rifle. While it can be a good medium- to long-distance option, its performance is less dependable in high-pressure situations compared to other precision rifles in higher tiers.

C-Tier

C-Tier weapons are considered niche or below average. They can be functional but are generally held back by significant flaws that make them difficult to recommend over other options. These guns often require a very specific playstyle or a full set of ideal attachments to be viable, and even then, they may struggle against higher-tier weapons.

• Repeater HPR
• Conquest LMG
• Retaliator LMG
• Magnum MC
• V22 Volt Thrower

These weapons have distinct disadvantages that limit their overall effectiveness. They include slow-firing rifles, underwhelming machine guns, and pistols that struggle to find a place in the current meta. While I see that the WSTR is considered S-Tier by many, its two-shot limit before a lengthy reload makes it a high-risk weapon that I place in C-Tier.

Repeater HPR

The Repeater HPR is a lever-action precision rifle using Heavy Rounds. It hits very hard, capable of one-shotting unshielded enemies, but this power comes at the cost of a very slow fire rate and a painfully slow one-round-at-a-time reload. This clunkiness makes it difficult to use in sustained fights. While its raw firepower is impressive, its handling issues mean most players would be better off with a faster-firing rifle or a dedicated sniper.

Conquest LMG

The Conquest LMG is a light machine gun that suffers from being a very basic and mediocre weapon. It fires Heavy Rounds that pack a punch, but it features a ramp-up fire rate that starts slow and increases over time. In a game with a relatively fast time-to-kill, it is difficult to survive long enough to benefit from this mechanic. LMGs in general have not found a strong niche in the meta, and the Conquest is considered the lowest of the bunch.

Retaliator LMG

The Retaliator LMG is another light machine gun that is slow and clunky. It uses Light Rounds, providing good ammo economy, but its damage output is not substantial enough to compensate for its poor handling. Like other LMGs, it struggles to find a place in a meta that favors either fast close-quarters weapons or precise long-range options. While common early on, it is typically discarded as soon as a more specialized weapon is found.

Magnum MC

The Magnum MC is a pistol that fires Heavy Rounds and feels similar to a hand cannon. It hits hard, especially with headshots, and has the best range among pistols. However, the meta does not favor sidearms. Loadouts that combine two primary weapons, such as an assault rifle and a shotgun, are far more effective. While fun to use, the Magnum is always a suboptimal choice compared to a primary weapon.

V22 Volt Thrower

The V22 Volt Thrower is an SMG with an auto-lock feature that makes it very easy to use. It fires Volt Battery rounds and has great handling stats. Its ease of use is offset by low damage and low projectile velocity, making it a pain to use effectively despite the lock-on system. Other SMGs are not difficult to handle and offer significantly better damage output, making the Volt Thrower an oft-forgotten and underperforming option.

D-Tier

D-Tier weapons are the weakest in the game and are generally not worth using. They are outclassed by nearly every other weapon and offer no significant advantages. These are typically starter weapons or guns that have fundamental design flaws that prevent them from being competitive. They are best avoided and should be replaced at the earliest opportunity.

• V11 Punch
• CE Tactical Sidearm

This tier consists of the two weakest pistols in the game. They function as weapons of last resort but are completely ineffective in any serious engagement against a properly equipped player. Their only utility is for a player with absolutely nothing else to use.

V11 Punch

The V11 Punch is a pistol that uses a Volt Battery and is considered the worst weapon in the game. It has poor range, accuracy, and handling. Its projectiles are slow, and it suffers from the wasted reloads common to Volt weapons. It can be fired in semi-auto or charged for a stronger shot, but neither mode is effective. It is better than having no weapon at all, but only just.

CE Tactical Sidearm

The CE Tactical Sidearm is the "beginner" pistol that uses Light Rounds. It is fast, forgiving, and accurate for what it is, but its damage is too low to be a threat. It serves its purpose as a starting weapon for new players, but has no place in a competitive loadout. Like other pistols, it is easily outclassed by any primary weapon, and its only real benefit is its good ammo economy.

All Marathon Weapons

The arsenal in Marathon consists of 28 distinct guns, each with unique characteristics. These weapons are distributed across eight categories: Assault Rifles, SMGs, Sniper Rifles, Precision Rifles, Railguns, Shotguns, Pistols, and Machine Guns. Understanding the different ammunition types—Light Rounds, Heavy Rounds, MIPS Rounds, Volt Battery, and Volt Cells—is also key, as ammo availability can dictate the viability of a loadout during a run.

Pay attention to which ammo types are most abundant in a given match and adapt your loadout accordingly.

How To Choose A Weapon In Marathon

Choosing a weapon in Marathon depends on your intended engagement range and playstyle. The prevailing meta favors a loadout that combines a close-quarters weapon with a long-range option, such as a shotgun paired with a sniper rifle. This setup provides versatility to handle nearly any combat scenario you might encounter on Tau Ceti IV. Early in your career, focus on accessible and reliable weapons like the Hardline PR, Bully SMG, or V75 Scar. These guns are common, effective, and provide a solid foundation for learning the game's mechanics.

As you progress and gain access to rarer firearms, prioritize acquiring S-Tier and A-Tier weapons like the WSTR Combat Shotgun, Longshot, and BRRT SMG. These meta-defining guns offer a significant advantage. Always consider your ammo supply; a powerful gun is useless without ammunition. Ultimately, the best weapon is one that complements your skills and allows you to consistently win engagements.