In Marathon you can play 7 different classes, each with different strengths and play styles. We have ranked the Runner classes in a tier list so you have an idea of which classes are the best at release.
How is this tier list created? MeinMMO editor Dariusz thoroughly tested all available Runner classes during the Marathon server slam and compared his impressions with those of the community. His expertise in various tactical shooters (especially Rainbow Six: Siege) also contributes to the evaluation of individual abilities and their importance in combat.
The playtime with the Runner classes is limited to the server slam. We also currently do not have hundreds of hours with the different classes or have been able to test them in the live build. The tier list is therefore still a work in progress and may be adjusted in the future.
If you have suggestions for improvements or want to share your own tier list, feel free to leave comments!
Marathon: Tier List for All Runner Classes
You can conveniently view our tier list with all classes of Marathon in the screenshot and in the overview. Below the screenshot, there is a detailed breakdown of why we chose the specific rank for the different Runner classes.
- S-Tier: Triage – Recon
- A-Tier: Destroyer
- B-Tier: Assassin, Vandal
- C-Tier: Rook
- ?-Tier: Thief
S-Tier: The Current Best Runner Classes
Triage: Ranked 1st in S-Tier is the Triage. This is the Medic of Marathon. Triage is particularly strong because he supports the entire team with supportive abilities. His primary ability “Restart+” is a kind of defibrillator that can revive up to 2 teammates simultaneously if they have been downed. This allows teams with a Triage in their ranks to turn the tide in a lost team fight, even if 2 members have already died.
Additionally, Triage has two healing drones through his tactical ability that can replenish shields or health points of injured Runner classes without interrupting their fight to heal. This adds incredible value and is irreplaceable in Marathon – especially because it allows you to save important health items for truly critical situations.
Recon: Ranked 2nd in S-Tier is the Recon, the scout class of Marathon. Intel is always strong in tactical games. When you know where enemies are positioned and how they move, you often have an advantage over teams that do not possess this intel. Games like Rainbow Six: Siege specifically rely on scouting abilities by distributing cameras and drones among various characters and using them as tactical tools.
The Recon in Marathon functions the same way. He can send out a small drone to locate enemies or mark them with a sonar scan. Thus, he also directly counters the Assassin. Since in Marathon fully defeated Runner classes can be revived, it is incredibly important that no one escapes from an opposing team. The Recon helps with that.
A-Tier: These Runner Classes are Always a Good Choice
Destroyer: In A-Tier we have the Destroyer. This is perhaps the strongest offensive class in Marathon. The Destroyer has a shield with which he can aggressively push enemies. With this shield, he forces the opponent to focus on him and respond to him. He is now the focus, because – even if he is not a threat with the shield at the moment – he is getting closer and will become a threat.
Operators with shields exist in many games, and we continually see that in the right hands it can be enormously strong. Not everyone can handle a shield, but if a team manages to use it properly, the shield bearer binds nearly 2 opponents almost continuously, as they cannot afford to not have crossfire on him – especially since the Destroyer also has an auto-targeting rocket system. In addition, he has movement abilities that increase his mobility in combat and allow him to push aggressively in combination with the shield.
B-Tier: These Runner Classes Have the Potential to Rise
Assassin: In B-Tier we have the Assassin. He is very good in solo play because you can move unnoticed between enemy lines. Additionally, he uses smoke to escape from dangerous situations by temporarily causing enemies to lose sight of him. However, the greatest strength of the Assassin is his ambush attacks: You can utilize the element of surprise to secure the first kill in a confrontation before the enemies have noticed your presence. However, you always take a risk, as the Assassin has no significant offensive abilities otherwise and nothing to actively support his team, like healing or intel.
As Assassin, you gather intel yourself by sneaking around invisibly and getting into advantageous positions, but you won’t be able to escape invisibly. You can get a lot out of the Assassin, but due to this risk and the lack of survivability, he is only in B-Tier – especially since the very strong Recon is a direct counter to him.
Vandal: Vandal is currently still the wildcard of Marathon: it’s hard to predict where the journey will go. Vandal primarily relies on movement abilities, such as a double jump and a power slide. However, this seemed very limited during the server slam. It may be that Vandal becomes very strong later in the season, but this will probably depend on the played build, i.e., the equipment used. Particularly in the first hours of gameplay, the Destroyer simply offers more, as he additionally has the shield and the rockets along with the movement abilities.
Vandal does have a cannon with which he can send enemies flying out of cover, but this is very situational. It is strong against teams that play very passively and camp a lot. And if there is a meta where sniper rifles dominate, Vandal can excel as a direct counter, because with his movement abilities and cannon he can close in and disturb the snipers when aiming. However, as the meta was during the server slam, these strengths were not yet utilized. Still, I wouldn’t want to encounter any movement demon on Vandal.
C-Tier: Runner Classes Currently Considered Weaker
Rook: The Rook is difficult to compare with the other Runner classes, as it is intended to give you a disadvantage: You can only play solo, cannot choose your loadout freely, and enter rounds that are already in progress. Your goal as Rook is to enter a match, grab some loot, and get out.
Your biggest advantage is that he can move unnoticed among UESC robots. This allows him to loot heavily guarded spots solo and avoid fights, while other Runner classes have to fight their way through. However, if you meet enemy players during a raid who are playing one of the other classes, you are always at a disadvantage. The Rook is good at what he is supposed to do – but that’s where it ends.
?-Tier: The Classes Not Yet Playable
Thief: The Thief class was not playable during the Marathon server slam, so it does not receive a proper rank on the tier list yet. Once we can test it for a few hours and evaluate its abilities, it will be re-categorized.
If you want to play your first rounds in Marathon right at release, you could certainly use some tips – as the shooter doesn’t provide much explanation. MeinMMO editor Dariusz has compiled some helpful tips for you here: Marathon: 15 Tips I Wish I Had Known Sooner
