Jumping into Marathon feels very different from most shooters. You’re not just running around collecting kills. Every raid is a risk. Every weapon you carry has value. And if you die before extraction… everything you brought with you disappears.
That alone changes how you approach guns, ammo, and loadouts.
Instead of simply asking “what’s the best weapon?”, experienced runners ask a better question: what weapon setup actually survives a raid?
Let’s break down how weapons work in Marathon, the different ammo types, and which guns are actually worth carrying into Tau Ceti.
Marathon Weapons Guide – Best Loadouts, Ammo Types
Every runner enters a raid with two weapon slots, and the interesting part is that any weapon can fit in either slot.
There’s no traditional “primary or secondary” system like many FPS games. A sniper + shotgun combo is possible. So is running two SMGs. But that freedom comes with consequences.
Everything you bring into a raid is on the line.
Die without extracting and your weapons, mods, and gear are gone.
That’s why learning the strengths of your weapons matters long before the first firefight starts.
Most guns support three or four mod slots, and these attachments can drastically change how a weapon behaves.
Typical mod types include:
- Chip Mod – core performance boost (every weapon has this)
- Magazine Mod – increases ammo capacity or reload behavior
- Barrel Mod – improves range and accuracy
- Grip Mod – improves handling
- Optics – better sighting and zoom
- Shield Mod – exclusive to machine guns
Higher rarity weapons usually spawn with better pre-installed mods. A gold-tier weapon might feel like a completely different gun compared to the basic gray version.
Weapon Rarity System Explained
Weapons in Marathon come in five rarity tiers, and each tier changes the value and performance of the weapon.
Standard gear is cheap and safe to lose. Prestige gear is powerful… but losing it hurts.
| Rarity | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Gray | Basic weapon with no special upgrades |
| Enhanced | Green | One attachment with small stat improvements |
| Deluxe | Blue | Multiple attachments and noticeable upgrades |
| Superior | Purple | Strong recoil and performance bonuses |
| Prestige | Gold | Powerful Chip Mods and high credit value |
New players often make the mistake of bringing high rarity gear too early.
Truth is, a weapon you understand well will outperform a rare weapon you barely know how to use.
Comfort and familiarity win more raids than flashy gear.
Ammo Types in Marathon
The game currently uses five ammo types, and managing them properly is one of the most overlooked skills.
| Ammo Type | Common Weapons |
|---|---|
| Light Rounds | ARs, SMGs, some LMGs |
| Heavy Rounds | High damage rifles and pistols |
| MIPS | Shotguns and some snipers |
| Volt Battery | Energy weapons |
| Volt Cell | Railguns and energy snipers |
Light rounds are the most common ammo type in the game, which is why many beginner builds rely on weapons that use them.
Heavy rounds are stronger but drop in smaller quantities.
Volt-based weapons are powerful but risky, since energy ammo tends to be scarce during longer raids.
And MIPS ammunition is a constant point of tension, because both shotgun users and sniper players compete for the same supply.
Sidearms – Small Guns with Big Impact
Sidearms aren’t meant to carry entire fights, but a good pistol can save your run in a tight situation.
The CE Tactical Sidearm is the default starting pistol. It’s not impressive in terms of damage, but it becomes interesting at higher rarity levels. The Prestige version can trigger temporary invisibility after reloading following a kill, which opens up some sneaky escape plays.
Then there’s the Magnum MC, which is basically the opposite approach. Slower firing speed, but much higher damage. If your aim is solid, landing two clean shots can drop most enemies quickly.
The V11 Punch is a unique Volt-powered pistol. You can tap fire it normally or charge a powerful burst attack. Think of it like a sci-fi plasma pistol — timing your charged shots correctly makes it far more dangerous than simple spam.
SMGs – Close Range Pressure Machines
Submachine guns dominate tight spaces. Corridors, buildings, interior hallways… that’s their territory.
The BRRT SMG quickly became one of the most popular weapons during early Marathon playtests. It fires rapid bursts that feel extremely reliable at close-to-mid range.
The Bully SMG trades speed for raw damage. Each shot hits harder, but it relies on heavy ammo, which means you’ll burn through inventory space faster.
Then there’s the Copperhead RF, which behaves like a hyper-fast spray weapon. Its magazine feels small without upgrades, but once modded properly it becomes a serious close-range shredder.
The most unusual SMG is the V22 Volt Thrower, which uses smart targeting. It can lock onto enemies and fire projectiles that explode simultaneously when embedded. In skilled hands, that burst damage can be devastating.
Shotguns – Brutal Close Combat Weapons
Shotguns are designed for one thing: winning fights inside buildings.
The WSTR Combat Shotgun is the most brutal example. It’s a double-barrel weapon that fires two massive blasts before reloading. Inside its effective range, almost nothing survives.
But step outside that range and its power drops dramatically.
The Misriah 2442 is more forgiving. It’s a pump-action shotgun with better reach, allowing players to engage enemies slightly further away without losing effectiveness.
Meanwhile the V85 Circuit Breaker is the energy variant. It can charge up before firing, allowing players to unleash extremely powerful shots if timed correctly.
Assault Rifles – The Most Reliable Weapon Class
If you want a weapon that works in almost every situation, assault rifles are your best bet.
The Overrun AR fires quickly and performs well at close to medium range. The downside is its small magazine, which makes reload management important.
The M77 Assault Rifle is widely considered one of the most versatile guns in the game. It trades fire rate for better damage and range, making it ideal for controlled mid-range fights.
There’s also the Impact HAR, which fires heavy rounds and is expected to deliver the strongest per-shot AR damage in the class.
Finally, the V75 Scar introduces tracking projectiles, adding a unique twist to assault rifle combat.
Precision Rifles – Mid to Long Range Specialists
Precision rifles bridge the gap between assault rifles and snipers.
Weapons like the Hardline PR offer fast semi-auto fire with excellent range, allowing players to hold long sightlines.
The Twin Tap HBR fires two-round bursts, rewarding players who can consistently land headshots.
Then there’s the Repeater HPR, a high-damage lever-action rifle that punishes missed shots heavily but rewards accuracy.
The Stryder M1T functions almost like a scout rifle, offering long-range precision without the slow firing speed of traditional snipers.
Machine Guns – Area Control and Sustained Fire
Machine guns are designed for suppressing enemies and controlling space.
The Conquest LMG uses a spin-up mechanic that increases fire rate the longer you hold the trigger.
The Retaliator LMG skips the spin-up and delivers immediate firepower from the first bullet.
Meanwhile the Demolition HMG trades speed for massive per-shot damage.
These weapons shine when holding defensive positions or locking down chokepoints.
Railguns – High Risk, High Reward
Railguns are some of the most powerful weapons in Marathon, but they require careful use.
The V00 Zeus Railgun fires after a charge period and can eliminate targets instantly at long range.
However, its slow cycle time makes it risky during fast fights.
The Ares Railgun charges faster and hits even harder at closer ranges, making it better suited for active combat scenarios.
Both railguns rely on Volt Cells, which are limited, so every shot matters.
Sniper Rifles – Long Range Eliminators
Snipers dominate long sightlines.
The Longshot is a semi-automatic sniper that allows faster follow-up shots, making it forgiving if your first shot misses.
The Outland is a bolt-action rifle with higher damage, rewarding players who can land precise opening shots.
Then there’s the V99 Channel Rifle, an energy sniper with a charge mechanic that increases damage and precision when timed correctly.
Best Weapon Pairings for Real Matches
Marathon maps constantly shift between tight indoor environments and open outdoor spaces.
Because of that, running two close-range weapons is a mistake.
The most reliable setup combines:
A close-range weapon such as
- WSTR Combat Shotgun
- Bully SMG
- BRRT SMG
with a mid or long-range weapon such as
- M77 Assault Rifle
- Hardline Precision Rifle
- Longshot Sniper
This setup ensures you’re ready for both corridor fights and open field engagements.
Railguns also work best when paired with a close-range kinetic weapon, since railguns themselves already cover long-distance engagements.
Best Beginner Weapons in Marathon
For new players learning the game, the safest weapons usually rely on Light Rounds.
These weapons include:
- M77 Assault Rifle
- Overrun AR
- BRRT SMG
Light ammo drops frequently during raids, meaning you’re far less likely to run out mid-fight.
Once you gain more experience and understand the maps better, experimenting with Volt weapons and heavy weapons becomes far more viable.
Marathon isn’t just about picking the strongest weapon on paper.
It’s about surviving the raid.
Ammo economy, map knowledge, positioning, and extraction routes all matter just as much as the gun in your hands.
A legendary weapon doesn’t guarantee survival.
But a smart loadout, good positioning, and knowing when to disengage?
That’s what keeps runners alive on Tau Ceti.