Marathon Update 1.0.0.4 Adds Balance Changes and Improves Solo Gameplay
- Yash Choudhary
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Bungie has released the first major post-launch patch for Marathon, which includes several balance changes and fixes based on player feedback. The new Marathon Update 1.0.0.4 aims to improve the game's item economy, combat balance, and Runner-related issues.
One of the most significant changes is an increase in Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates throughout the map. Many players complained that ammo and healing items were too scarce, particularly during longer runs, so Bungie has increased resources to make matches less frustrating.
Marathon Update 1.0.0.4 addresses an element of this issue by slightly increasing resource availability during matches. The goal is to allow players to fight for longer periods of time without running out of supplies.
Following community feedback, Bungie has made several changes to Marathon's extraction shooter gameplay to make it less punishing for solo players. Some players had previously complained about the game being too difficult due to limited healing supplies, scarce ammunition, and aggressive enemy AI.
However, Bungie made it clear that the challenge isn’t going away.
“With this change we hope to alleviate some of the resource burden in both Solos and Crews when it comes to engaging UESC in combat,” Bungie said. “The goal here is to allow your bullets and meds to go further without reducing too much of the UESC’s bite.”
The developer added that the enemy AI will continue to offer a serious challenge, as player feedback has shown many enjoy the tension and danger created by UESC combat encounters.
Marathon Update 1.0.0.4 Patch Notes
Item Economy
Increased the number of Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates that can spawn on Perimeter
Increased the amount of starting ammo in MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne free Sponsored Kits
Reduced the frequency UESC Grenadiers drop EMP grenades
Combat
Fixed an issue where players could sometimes die instantly when stepping on certain world geometry*
Fixed an issue where the shield break screen effects could constantly play when you had a heal over time effect and a damage over time effect on you at the same time
Increased the range gunfire and explosions can be heard from
Weapons
Thermal Scopes
Reduced visual clarity on targets with thermal scopes
Adjusted max distances for thermal highlight:
Pistols: 40 meters (down from 55)
Rifles/LMGs/SMGs: 60 meters (down from 65)
Precision Rifles: 80 meters (down from 100)
Snipers: 100 meters (down from 180)
Overrun
Increased default ammo capacity by 5
Runners
Rook
Fixed an issue where backpacks could be deleted when exfiling with Rook
Fixed an issue where Rook’s position was not being displayed on the map screen.
Increased CyAc reputation gain from exfilling with Rook
Rook will now receive the same Faction reputation bonus from all sources that solo players receive*
Rook’s WSTR shotgun will now spawn as Compromised
Compromised items require use of a Matter Fixative during the run to exfil with the item
UESC
Reduced health of most UESC enemies by ~10-15% and shield hp of UESC bosses by 25%*
DEVELOPER NOTE: With this change we hope to alleviate some of the resource burden in both Solos and Crews when it comes to engaging UESC in combat. 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.
Contracts
Increased default distance objective nav points appear from 10m to 20m
Introducing NuCaloric Contract
Fixed an issue where enemy Crews could receive NuCal contract VO audio and subtitles from a long distance away
Introducing Traxus Contract
Reduced the difficulty of the UESC Commander encounter
Zones
Outpost
Temporarily disabled switches access route to the Broken Wing on Outpost
DEVELOPER NOTE: We are temporarily disabling the "Broken Wing" entrance into the Pinwheel while we make some tuning changes to it. In its current state it trivializes entrance into the Pinwheel. We are making some tweaks to maintain the spirit of the "silent" entrance while better matching the risk / reward of the Pinwheel. Runners can continue to take advantage of all other ways into the Pinwheel (including the additional silent method) in the meantime.
Rewards Pass and Store
Fixed an issue where bundle prices could be displayed incorrectly
Fixed an issue where individual items in the Store were incorrectly showing "Savings" on preview screens when no discount was active*
Increased the LUX bundle from (1000 + 100) to (1000 + 120)
Stability
Fixed a rare issue that could cause dedicated server crashes
Fixed several issues that could cause client crashes
General
Fixed an issue where doors would lock preventing players from finishing the new player intro mission
Updated the description of Perimeter (Beginner) on the Zone Select screen
Fixed a bug where the Text Chat window could get stuck open
Fixed a crash that sometimes occurred when attempting to use an IME Keyboard
Fixed a crash that sometimes occurred when typing quickly with an IME Keyboard
DEVELOPER NOTE: Some issues may still remain with third-party IME software and we are continuing to investigate. Windows built-in IME may be a temporary workaround for users who are experiencing issues while we work on a permanent fix.
Adjusted the location of the IME keyboard to be closer to the Text Chat window
Players will no longer see an extended black screen during the map load sequence
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