Bungie has deployed update 1.0.0.4 for its sci-fi extraction shooter Marathon, addressing player feedback with balance tweaks and quality-of-life improvements. The patch includes increased ammo availability, easier objective navigation, and reductions to enemy health without diminishing their challenge. Bungie also announced enhancements to the season one rewards pass coming later this season.
On March 11, 2026, Bungie released update 1.0.0.4 for Marathon, the studio's live-service extraction shooter launched earlier in the month. This first major post-launch patch focuses on refining gameplay mechanics based on community input, without introducing new content such as maps or characters.
Key changes to the item economy include more frequent spawns of Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates on the Perimeter zone, as well as increased starting ammo in free sponsored kits for MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne. These adjustments aim to reduce resource scarcity, particularly for new players. In combat, the patch fixes issues like instant deaths in confinement events and persistent shield break effects. It also increases the audible range of gunfire and explosions to heighten awareness during engagements.
Weapon tweaks target thermal scopes, reducing their visual clarity and maximum highlight distances—for example, from 55 meters to 40 meters for pistols and from 180 meters to 100 meters for snipers—to curb their dominance in the meta. UESC enemies receive a small reduction in health and shield HP, making them less overwhelming while preserving their threat level. Bungie noted in the patch notes: “The goal here is to allow your bullets and meds to go further without reducing too much of the UESCs bite. We see the feedback loud and clear that players appreciate the friction that our UESC combatants provide, and we have no plans to change that direction.”
For runners, fixes address Rook's map visibility and backpack deletions during exfiltration, alongside increased reputation gains for solo play with Rook. Contract objectives now appear at 20 meters instead of 10, aiding navigation to terminals and items. The Outpost zone temporarily disables one access route to the Broken Wing area for tuning.
Bungie also committed to improving the season one rewards pass, which currently offers limited cosmetics. Upcoming additions include more Runner skins and other free and premium rewards by mid-April. The studio emphasized: “When you spend in Marathon we want you to get great value, whether that’s the game, the deluxe edition, the Rewards Pass, or the in-game store.” Stability enhancements fix server crashes, client issues, and IME keyboard problems, while general updates resolve door locks in the intro mission and text chat bugs.
These changes reflect Bungie's rapid response to feedback, including prior adjustments to premium currency packs and lore expansions via an ARG.
