A breakdown of each Runner and their abilities in Marathon.
When you link up with your Crew and prepare to drop into Tau Ceti IV in Marathon, you'll have a very important choice to make: Which Runner will you choose?
Runners act as the class system in Marathon, each sporting unique abilities that can be further customized with the use of implants and upgrades. That said, each Runner is meant to suit a particular playstyle — from your stealthy hunter to the point man up front.
Here's what we know about the Runner class system in Marathon!
Related articles
All Runners and classes in Marathon
According to Bungie's gameplay showcase, there will be six Runners available when the game launches in September 2025. There will be four Runners that play testers will get their hands on during April and May's closed alpha: Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void.
Here's what we learned about each Runner.
- Locus
- "Push-forward gameplay"; the first one in wielding a handheld shield. Super-sprint ability (with overheat drawback).
- Prime Ability: Search and Destroy
- Activate shoulder-mounted missile launchers. Sustained damage to targets launches homing missiles that immobilize and deal damage.
- Tactical Ability: Riot Barricade
- Activates a barricade that blocks incoming damage.
- Trait 1: Thruster
- While airborne, activate to fire boosters that thrust you in the direction you are moving.
- Trait 2: Tactical Sprint
- Double-press sprint to move faster, but additional heat is generated.
- Blackbird
- Recon specialist; determining locations of enemy players and/or UESC and "punishing poor positioning."
- Prime Ability: Echo Pulse
- Activates an advanced detection system that releases sonar pulses revealing nearby hostiles.
- Tactical Ability: Tracker Drone
- Deploy a microbot that tracks down enemies nearby, exploding on contact and overheating the target(s).
- Trait 1: Interrogation
- Receive a warning on your HUD when pinged by an enemy. Performing a finisher on a downed Runner reveals the locations of their Crew.
- Trait 2: Stalker Protocol
- When breaking a combatant shield, they leave behind a holographic footprint trail for a short time.
- Glitch
- "Disruptor"; designed to engage and disorient enemies. Enters with a specialized backpack and additional support abilities.
- Prime Ability: Amplify
- Overcharge movement systems, reducing heat buildup of abilities. Increases movement speed and weapon dexterity.
- Tactical Ability: Disruptor
- Transform your arm into a cannon, firing a projectile that deals damage and pushes enemies hit away. Hold to overcharge the arm cannon, increasing the size of the projectile.
- Trait 1: Microjets
- Activate while midair to perform an additional jump. Generates additional heat.
- Trait 2: Power Slide
- Supercharged slide at increased speed and distance at the cost of heat.
- Void
- Stealth, active camouflage, "attack from the shadows."
- Prime Ability: Smoke Screen
- Throw a smoke disc that emits a line of smoke fields ahead of you, disrupting enemy optics.
- Tactical Ability: Active Camo
- Activates camouflage systems, turning you invisible. Attacking enemies, taking damage, or using items/abilities makes you appear for a short moment.
- Trait 1: Shadow Dive
- Activate while airborne to slam a smoke disc into the ground, deploying a smoke field.
- Trait 2: Shroud
- Automatically activates camouflage when entering a smoke field. Invisibility remains until you leave the smoke field.
In your Crew of up to three, there is no limit on Runner types. Want to enter a team of Voids and go completely silent? Perhaps you'll want to send a Blackbird ahead and set up a pincer with two Glitches? The choice is up to you and your team!
Each Runner has access to particular abilities and equipment as well as mods which enhance these add-ons, known as implants. We only got glimpses of the inventory and upgrade system, but given mention of a market outside of Tau Ceti IV itself, it's likely that you can upgrade and prepare before jumping into a session.
That's all for now! Stay tuned for more Marathon news via esports.gg.
