Okay, so in Marathon, Runner Shells are basically what you start with for building your character. But the real fun begins with Cores and Implants – that’s where you can really tweak things to play how you like. There are tons of both to choose from, which can be a bit overwhelming. And honestly, just because something’s rare doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best option – you gotta find what works for you.
This guide provides a quick list of the top Cores, Implants, and Backpacks to use with each character in Marathon.
Best Marathon Cores
Best Standard And Rook Cores
Cash Flow
Standard Core
35 Credits
Opening an unlooted container pings a nearby data card.
The Big Score
Standard Core
35 Credits
After opening a locked door or container, your Loot Speed stat is temporarily greatly increased.
Static Casket
Standard Core
35 Credits
When you’re knocked down, you get the Signal Jammer effect, which disguises your appearance to other players, and lasts until you’re either revived or defeated.
Best Destroyer Cores
Lock ‘N Load
Deluxe Core
200 Credits
Your weapons ready and reload more quickly and receive less flinch from incoming fire.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Destroyer+’.
Bullrush
Superior Core
600 Credits
Your Riot Barricade does not passively drain energy while you perform your Tactical Sprint.
Counter Attack
Prestige Core
2500 Credits
When Riot Barricade takes damage, you periodically release a retaliatory missile at your attacker.
Best Vandal Cores
Tag!
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
Disrupt Cannon deals additional damage and pings targets caught in the blast.
Mechanized Holsters
Deluxe Core
200 Credits
Using Power Slide replenishes your ammo and partially recharges the batteries of your energy weapons.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Vandal+’.
Adrenal Core
Superior Core
600 Credits
When you’re Amplified, you create even less heat from moving. Performing a Cardio Kick will make your Amplify effect last longer.
Best Recon Cores
Eye in the Sky
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
Okay, so when I use UESC targeting stuff, it stays active for a bit longer, which is awesome. Plus, it sends out extra ping pulses, helping me lock onto enemies even better. It basically gives me a more reliable and extended scan!
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Recon’.
Predator
Deluxe Core
200 Credits
When your Tracker Drone hits an enemy, you’ll run faster and your heat will cool down more quickly. Also, enemies hit by your drone will stay overheated for a longer time.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Recon+’.
Early Warning System
Prestige Core
2500 Credits
You receive an alert on your HUD when a hostile Runner is nearby.
Best Assassin Cores
Breathing Space
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
Your Shroud increases your weapons’ reload speed while in any smoke field.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Assassin’.
Flexweave Casing
Deluxe Core
200 Credits
You move faster and ready your weapons more quickly while invisible.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Assassin+’.
Minus Sights
Prestige Core
2500 Credits
After aiming down sights for a short time, you become invisible at the cost of generating heat.
Best Triage Cores
Ounce of Prevention
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
Your Med-Drone increases Hardware and firewall of crew members while attached.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Triage’.
Med-Drone Overcharge
Superior Core
600 Credits
Your Med-Drone heals crew members more quickly and efficiently.
No Good Deed
Superior Core
600 Credits
You receive a burst of healing when your Med-Drone attaches to a crew member.
Best Thief Cores
Greed is Good
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
When your backpack is completely full, your sprint speed and slide distance are increased.
Crime Spree
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
Each container you open increases your Loot Speed. This increase resets when you’re downed.
Boutique
Enhanced Core
70 Credits
The ‘Finer Things’ perk increases how quickly you reload weapons and boosts your Agility, with the benefits growing as you collect more items in your Backpack.
Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Thief’.
Best Marathon Implants
Best Head Implants
Ping+ V2
Enhanced Head Implant
70 Credits
- Bedside Manner
When a crewmate is close by, you repair your ship faster and use healing items more rapidly.
- Hardware -10
- Loot Speed -15
Ping+ V4
Deluxe Head Implant
200 Credits
- Never There
Entering smoke removes any pings on you.
- Hardware +10
- Loot Speed +15
- Ping Duration +20
Sprint Kit V4
Superior Head Implant
600 Credits
- Energy Reservoir
Using an Energy Amp grants tactical and prime ability energy to nearby crew members.
Best Torso Implants
Hurting Hands V4
Superior Torso Implant
- Snapshot Rifling
Readying a weapon briefly increases its accuracy and range.
- Haptic Feedback
While you have a lingering effect from a consumable, gain increased Loot Speed.
- Finisher Siphon +50
- Firewall +20
- Prime Recovery +10
Unlocked by the Arachne Upgrade ‘HURTING HANDS+’.
Nimble Fingers V3
Deluxe Torso Implant
- Run Ya Pockets
Defeating UESC with a melee or knife attack grants you credits.
- Agility +10
- Fall Resistance -10
- Hardware +10
- Loot Speed +35
- Melee Damage -20
Survival Kit V4
Superior Torso Implant
600 Credits
- Sleight of Hand
While in smoke, you gain increased Loot Speed.
- Firewall +20
- Hardware +20
- Ping Duration +20
- Revive Speed +20
- Self Repair Speed +20
Unlocked by the MIDA Upgrade ‘Survivor++’.
Best Leg Implants
Distance Runner V3
Deluxe Leg Implant
200 Credits
- Materialist+
Upon exfil, grants additional Deluxe and Superior Salvage.
Graceful Landings V3
Deluxe Leg Implant
200 Credits
- Crouching Tiger
Crouching for a short duration grants you increased Melee Damage.
- Parting Gift
Defeating a hostile with a melee or knife attack restores a small amount of health or shields.
- Recycler
Your finishers heal nearby allies a small amount.
- Agility +15
- Fall Resistance +35
Unlocked by the MIDA Upgrade ‘Graceful+’.
Solid Stance V3
Deluxe Leg Implant
200 Credits
- Explosive and Melee Resistance
Reduces incoming UESC damage from explosives and melee attacks.
- The First Law
Your abilities recharge more quickly while you’re sprinting or sliding.
- Rat Pack
While surrounded by hostiles, your sneak speed is increased.
- Agility -20
- Fall Resistance -50
- Hardware +40
- Heat Capacity +10
- Melee Damage -20
Best Marathon Backpacks
24XS Ammo Pack
Enhanced Backpack
100 Credits
+24 slots to carry more items.
- Stowed ballistic weapons slowly reload their magazine from your inventory. Stowed volt weapons slowly recharge their current battery.
24XS Med Pack
Superior Backpack
1,650 Credits
+24 slots.
- Significantly faster health and shield consumable usage.
24XS Med Pack+
Prestige Backpack
5,000 Credits
+24 slots.
- Significantly faster health and shield consumable usage.
- Health consumables also recharge portion of shields.
- Shield consumables also restore portion of health.
Here’s a quick look at some of the top Cores, Implants, and Backpacks available for all Runner characters in the game Marathon.
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2026-03-12 23:19