In Marathon, there are currently 27 weapons that you can include in 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 analyzed the weapon meta of Marathon since its release. Weapons that 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 evaluated through recordings from other players and opinions from the community.
With years of experience in the shooter genre, he found it easy to create a ranking to show you which weapons you should take for your loadout or not. With our directory, you can also quickly jump to the individual weapon types, as we list every strong weapon within its category alongside the tier list.
Marathon: Tier List of All Weapons
In this list, you will now find all weapons in their respective ranking tiers. The tier “S” stands for the best of the best, while “C” houses the worst weapons. Of course, when ranking, the feel of the weapon, possible modifications, magazine size, and other parameters are considered. For this reason, we decided on the following ranking:
| Rank Tier | Weapon Name |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | – WSTR Combat Shotgun – Distance Shot – Shredder MP – BR33 Burst Rifle – Outland |
| A-Tier | – Misriah 2442 – V11 Punch – M77 Assault Rifle – Repeater SPG – Double Shot SSG – Stryder M1T – Magnum MK – KBZF MP |
| B-Tier | – Impact SSG – Heavy Demolisher MG – Hardline PG – V66 Lookout – 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 |
That was the compact tier list in the table. Now we will go into the individual types and explain which weapons belong to the best of 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 effortlessly take down opponents with a purple armor in less than 2 seconds. It has solid accuracy and handling, but has a small magazine that can be balanced with an appropriate mod.
Alternative: You can gladly use the Impact as an alternative, but it has a slower rate of fire.
Best Light Machine Gun: Heavy Demolisher MG
Why is the weapon so good? The Demolisher MG fires the slowest of all machine guns, but that’s exactly what you need. With its sluggish rate of fire, you can shoot more accurately at your enemies. Moreover, it has the highest damage of all available LMGs. It features controllable recoil but has a slow reload animation. Anyone who enjoys playing with LMGs should definitely rely on this model.
Alternative: As an alternative, the Conquest LMG is a viable option as it strikes the balance between the three available MG options in terms of recoil, damage, and rate of fire.
Best Sniper Rifle: BR33 Burst Rifle
Why is the weapon so good? The BR33 is a laser in terms of rate of fire and stability. The rifle fires short but fast bursts that hardly distort your aim and deal significant damage. Whether fighting against UESC units or Runners – everyone will be brought to their knees if you master this rifle. So, if you are looking for a powerful weapon for long-range combat, you have found the right rifle.
Alternative: The BR33 is unique due to its firing mode, but if you want a rifle of the same type, you can use the Repeater SPG. This rifle is, as the name suggests, a repeating rifle with immense power that can take out several enemies with a single shot.
Best Pistol: V11 Punch
Why is the weapon so good? Solid damage, high rate of fire, and battery-operated describe the V11 Punch. The pistol is, compared to the two still available options in its class, exactly the weapon if you are looking for a backup option. It is reliable and efficient and can be seamlessly handled even in heated battles.
Alternative: If you are 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 you must first learn to handle it.
Best Railgun: Ares RG
Why is the weapon so good? The Ares can perform better due to its slightly higher damage than the Zeus Railgun. However, its operation is the same: you target an enemy, charge a shot, and then fire it. Railguns are more of a niche compared to other weapons, but if you enjoy using such devices, you should rely on the Ares.
Alternative: V00 Zeus RG, but with lower damage.
Best Shotgun: WSTR Combat Shotgun
Why is the weapon so good? Do you need a shotgun that can destroy every enemy with a single shot? Then take the WSTR Combat Shotgun. This monster can easily dismantle armored foes with just a few shells. No matter how good your enemies are, once they see the barrel of this weapon, it’s already over. Currently, this weapon is also among the top-tier examples for loadouts – so those who want to keep up with the endgame runners should pack this weapon.
Alternative: A solid alternative is the Misriah, although it is not 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’s what makes it a top choice for loadouts. With its firing mode, it can also forgive mistakes if you don’t hit a shot precisely. Its damage falls far behind the Outland, but its dynamic playstyle can compensate for its flaws.
Alternative: If you prefer a slower playstyle and want overkill damage, you should go for the Outland.
Best Submachine Gun: Shredder MP
Why is the weapon so good? Compact, always accessible, and an all-rounder for short and medium distances. That is the Shredder. This rifle is likely one that every runner has held at some point. It has a solid magazine size, strong damage, and a competitive rate of fire to keep up with other classes. If you don’t want to take a pistol as a backup, you should rely on the Shredder.
Alternative: A good but not as accessible alternative is the KBZF MP.
These were all the weapons in the ranking along with explanations of why they are the strongest options in the current meta. Please note that the ranking can 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 Shells in the Ranking
