Discover the top six weapons to grab in Marathon as you explore Tau Ceti.

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March 20, 2026: We’ve refreshed our weapon tier list for Marathon, adding insights on gun mods after diving deeper into the game and considering endgame activities like Cryo Archive and Ranked.

In this extraction shooter, you can’t just grab every weapon you encounter, and losing your gear can happen in a heartbeat. Prioritizing the best weapons is crucial for defending yourself while scavenging Tau Ceti.

Currently, there are 28 different firearms in Marathon, spanning from pistols and SMGs to railguns, offering plenty of options. If you’re unsure where to start hunting for quality gear, focus on completing map events during matches, such as Lockdown or Priority Targets. These events can yield high-tier weapons with attachments, shields, Cores, Implants, and more.

Below, you’ll find an overview of each weapon in Marathon and tips on what to prioritize while looting.

At the moment, the go-to strategy involves using a shotgun for close encounters and a sniper for long-range engagements, a combo that’s hard to beat due to its effectiveness. While there are several strong options in each category, maintaining this setup can be costly, so you’ll likely need to rely on other weapons, especially in the early game.

Here’s my ranking of each weapon, along with reasons for my top picks:

Rank	Weapon
S	WSTR Combat Shotgun, Repeater HPR, Bully, Longshot, BR33 Volley Rifle, Outland
A	Misriah 2442, Stryder M1T, Twin Tap HBR, M77 Assault, Impact HAR, BRRT SMG, V11 Punch
B	Conquest LMG, Hardline PR, V99 Channel Rifle, V22 Volt Thrower, V66 Lookout, Magnum MC, Ares RG, V00 Zeus RG, Retaliator LMG
C	Demolition HMG, Overrun AR, CE Tactical, C75 Scar
D	Copperhead RF

The WSTR double-barreled shotgun is arguably the most satisfying weapon in Marathon. With just two shots before a reload, it’s all you need if you can get in close (even after a nerf). It’s incredibly lethal and stylish. If you haven’t tried sneaking up on enemies with this weapon using the Assassin Runner shell, you’re missing out.

The Repeater HPR is a lever-action precision rifle that, while slow and cumbersome due to its one-round reload, compensates with immense firepower: it can take down unshielded foes in one shot and two-shot green shields. I achieved my highest kill count with it during the Server Slam, making it a solid backup to a shotgun or SMG. It plays similarly to the Twin Tap and Stryder, which are also excellent alternatives.

True to its name, the Bully is a dependable weapon for close to medium range, firing heavy ammo. However, it has a slower rate of fire compared to other SMGs, so good aim and tracking are essential, but it rewards you with a well-rounded performance.

You might be surprised by the devastation of the Longshot, a fast-firing semi-automatic sniper rifle. A headshot typically takes down an opponent or leaves them vulnerable for a follow-up. Its semi-auto nature allows for a forgiving second shot, making it borderline overpowered, especially with a thermal scope.

The BR33, a burst-fire rifle, defies expectations with its snappy performance and minimal recoil, making it a favorite for mid-range skirmishes when other options might falter.

The Outland is essentially a more powerful version of the Longshot, delivering significant damage even at long distances. However, as a bolt-action weapon, every shot counts, making it a formidable choice in Ranked lobbies.

Here’s the complete list of all 28 guns available in Marathon:

Weapon	Type	Ammo
Impact HAR	Assault rifle	Heavy Rounds
M77	Assault rifle	Light Rounds
Overrun AR	Assault rifle	Light Rounds
V75 Scar	Assault rifle	Volt Battery
Retaliator LMG	Machine gun	Light Rounds
Demolition HMG	Machine gun	Heavy Rounds
Conquest LMG	Machine gun	Light Rounds
Bully SMG	Submachine gun	Heavy Rounds
Copperhead RF	Submachine gun	Light Rounds
BRRT SMG	Submachine gun	Light Rounds
V22 Volt Thrower	Submachine gun	Volt Battery
WSTR Combat Shotgun	Shotgun	MIPS Rounds
Misriah 2442	Shotgun	MIPS Rounds
V85 Circuit Breaker	Shotgun	Volt Battery
CE Tactical Sidearm	Pistol	Light Rounds
Magnum MC	Pistol	Heavy Rounds
V11 Punch	Pistol	Volt Battery
Repeater HPR	Precision rifle	Heavy Rounds
BR33 Volley Rifle	Precision rifle	Light Rounds
Stryder M1T	Precision rifle	Light Rounds
Twin Tap HBR	Precision rifle	Heavy Rounds
Hardline PR	Precision rifle	Light Rounds
V66 Lookout	Precision rifle	Volt Battery
Longshot	Sniper rifle	MIPS Rounds
V99 Channel Rifle	Sniper rifle	Volt Battery
Outland	Sniper rifle	MIPS Rounds
V00 Zeus RG	Railgun	Volt Cell
Ares RG	Railgun	Volt Cell

Marathon roadmap: What’s coming
Marathon Lockbox Keys: How to get ’em
Marathon upgrades: Which to pick
Marathon DCON: Where to find one
Introducing Traxus: Find the terminal
Marathon vault: How to get more space