In Marathon there are currently 27 weapons that you can pack into your loadouts, but which of them are actually the best options? Find out in our Tier List.
How is this Tier List created? MeinMMO author Christos has extensively dealt with the weapon meta of Marathon since the release. Weapons he could get his hands on were tested on players as well as UESC units to get a feel for them. The remaining specimens were assessed through recordings from other players and opinions from the community.
With years of experience in the shooter genre, it was easy for him to create a ranking to show you which weapons you should consider for your loadout or not. With our directory, you can also quickly jump to the individual weapon types, as we list every strong weapon in their category aside from the Tier List.
Marathon: Tier List of All Weapons
In this list, you will now find all weapons in their respective ranking tiers. The “S” tier represents the best of the best, while “C” houses the worst weapons. In the ranking, the feel of the weapon, possible modifications, magazine size, and other parameters are of course taken into account. For this reason, we chose the following ranking:
| Ranking Tier | Weapon Name |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | – WSTR Shotgun – Distance Shot – Reaper SMG – BR33 Burst Rifle – Outland |
| A-Tier | – Misriah 2442 – V11 Punch – M77 Assault Rifle – Repeater SPG – Double Shot SSG – Stryder M1T – Magnum MK – KBZF SMG |
| B-Tier | – Impact SSG – Heavy Demolition LMG – Hardline PG – V66 Watchtower – V00 Zeus RG – Ares RG – V85 Circuit Breaker – V99 Channeling Rifle – V22 Volt Thrower – V75 SKSG |
| C-Tier | – Tactical NK Sidearm – Overrun SG – Conquest LMG – Avenger LMG – Copperhead SF |
This was the compact Tier List in the table. Now we will go into the individual categories and explain to you which weapons belong to the best in the current meta.
Best Assault Rifle: M77 Assault Rifle
Why is the weapon so good? The M77 is a powerful assault rifle with a high rate of fire and damage. The rifle can easily take down opponents with purple armor in less than 2 seconds. It has solid accuracy and handling but possesses a small magazine that can be offset with a suitable mod.
Alternative: You can gladly use the Impact as an alternative, though it has a slower rate of fire.
Best Machine Gun: Heavy Demolition LMG
Why is the weapon so good? The demolition machine gun has the slowest firing rate of all machine guns, but that’s exactly what you need. With its sluggish firing rate, you can fire more accurately at your enemies. It also has the highest damage of all available MGs. It has controllable recoil, but a slow reload animation. Anyone who likes to play with MGs should definitely rely on this model.
Alternative: As an alternative, the Conquest LMG is a good option as it serves as the middle ground among the three available MG options in terms of recoil, damage, and firing rate.
Best Precision Rifle: BR33 Burst Rifle
Why is the weapon so good? The BR33 is a laser in terms of firing rate and stability. The rifle fires short but fast bursts that barely sway your aim and deal substantial damage. Whether in combat against UESC units or Runners – anyone will buckle when you can handle this rifle. So if you’re looking for a powerful weapon for long-range combat, this is the right rifle for you.
Alternative: The BR33 is a unique weapon due to its firing mode, but if you want a rifle of the same category, you can go with the Repeater SPG. This rifle is, as the name suggests, a repeating rifle with immense power that can take out some enemies with just one shot.
Best Pistol: V11 Punch
Why is the weapon so good? Solid damage, high firing rate, and battery-operated, the V11 Punch stands out. The pistol is the exact weapon you want when looking for an option for your backup compared to the two remaining options of its kind. It’s reliable and efficient and can be smoothly handled even in heated battles.
Alternative: If you’re looking for a more powerful weapon, you should rely on the Magnum MK. However, pay attention to its recoil; it can reward precise shooters, but first, you need to know how to handle it.
Best Railgun: Ares RG
Why is the weapon so good? The Ares can perform stronger than the Zeus Railgun due to its slightly higher damage. Its operation is the same: you aim at a target, charge up a shot, and then fire. Railguns are rather niche compared to other weapons, but if you enjoy working with such devices, you should stick with the Ares.
Alternative: V00 Zeus RG, but with lower damage.
Best Shotgun: WSTR Shotgun
Why is the weapon so good? Do you need a shotgun that can take out any opponent with a salvo? Then take the WSTR Shotgun. This monster can dismantle even armored foes effortlessly with just a few shells. No matter how good your enemies are, it’s already over when they look down the barrel of this weapon. Currently, this weapon is also one of the top-tier examples for loadouts – so if you want to keep up with the endgame Runners, you should take this weapon with you.
Alternative: A solid alternative is the Misriah, even if it’s not quite as strong as the WSTR.
Best Sniper Rifle: Distance Shot
Why is the weapon so good? The Distance Shot is a semi-automatic sniper, and that makes it the top choice for loadouts. Its firing mode can also forgive mistakes if you don’t hit a shot precisely. Its damage falls far behind the Outland, but due to its dynamic playstyle, it can compensate for this shortcoming.
Alternative: If you prefer a slower playstyle and want damage of overkill height, you should use the Outland.
Best Submachine Gun: Reaper SMG
Why is the weapon so good? Compact, always accessible, and an all-rounder for short and mid ranges. That’s exactly what the Reaper is. Every Runner has probably held this weapon at some point. It has a solid magazine size, strong damage, and a competitive firing rate to keep up with other categories. If you don’t want to take a pistol as a backup, you should opt for the Reaper.
Alternative: A decent but less accessible alternative is the KBZF SMG.
These were all weapons in the ranking along with explanations of why they are the strongest options in the current meta. Note that the ranking may change at any time if Bungie nerfs the weapons. Therefore, we keep an eye on the patch notes and adjust our list accordingly. You can find more about Marathon here: Marathon: Tier List of Classes – All Runner Classes Ranked
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