Bungie has shared plans for a new experimental PvE mode in Marathon that will launch later this month. A larger PvE update is scheduled for Season 3 after September 22.
Bungie announced the details in a recent blog post after a period of limited communication following studio layoffs. Vault Breaker, described as the studio's first experimental PvE mode, will run from July 21 through August 4. It retools the Cryo Archive map into a roguelite format without PvP elements.
The update next week will also include balance changes to weapons and consumables. The WSTR Combat Shotgun receives buffs while the D54 Battle Pistol is nerfed. Players will be limited to two grenades of one type or one of each, along with restrictions on bubble shields to reduce repetitive high-level combat.
Bungie stated that feedback from Vault Breaker will guide development of a full PvE mode arriving in Season 3. The studio noted that the mode aims to let more players experience Cryo Archive's end-game encounters.