Marathon Runner Tier List: The best Runners for solo and group play

Thanks to several playtests and now the Server Slam, we’ve managed to see some of the Marathon Runners in action. So much so, we have an idea of what the tier list of Runners you should play should be like. Here’s a look at the best Marathon Runners in a tier list for solo and group parties.

Marathon Runner Tier List

Here is how we rate them based on ideal playstyles, roles in groups, and what you can and cannot do with them. We’ll have better explanations on each Runner below, rating from how you should play, effects in solo or group play, and even to some extent their builds and why that might skew ratings of each Runner.  But, our opinion is play what you want, as they all have clear pros and cons, as the early days meta is largely who is just better and sweatier anyway.

This tier list also does not take into account Duos if that gets randomly added, as it’s something Bungie was looking into.

Assassin

Okay, Assassin is a quality Runner in Marathon for a few reasons. The main skill you’ll often use is her invisibility. This masks your model, hiding you pretty well, keeping you invisible as long as you don’t start using other abilities, shooting, or using consumables. You’ll use this to enter areas and scout an area out before committing to a decision. It’s fantastic for players wanting control and information. Go into an area invisible, see a squad that’s better equipped, you know to avoid it or set a trap. If an area is clear, then it’s time to interact and loot. It’s extremely powerful information and control that Recon, a competitor, doesn’t offer in that sense.

The downside is largely the ultimate. You’ll want to use this for control, preventing enemy pushes into your smokescreen. It gives room to disengage or flank enemies in the confusion, since they cannot push it as it disrupts equipment. It’s harder to use properly, especially in groups, hence why I think Recon is a better fit for more aggro group plays. But for solo, Assassin might be the best Runner available if you’re not feeling Rook.

Destroyer

Destroyer is a character that’s worth talking about in the sense of group play. The missile ability is very good for fighting multiple enemies, locking them down and dealing damage. The shield is also very strong for creating pushing opportunities, getting their attention and shielding up while allies flank. Given the TTK in this game is pretty low, that shield provides an incredible amount of value in the game.

But this is where Destroyer falters a little. The shield in solo play is good for absorbing bullets, but you’re kinda exposed since you can’t fire back. It’s best used as a tool to get into cover and look for an escape plan, ideally with strong map knowledge of where you’re looting to optimally use it. The missiles are good, but again, harder to properly use if you’re solo.

Destroyer is the type of character you want in your party when you’re squadding up with either a Triage, some sort of Recon or Assassin, and maybe a Vandal to properly plan where you need to stand, with Triage helping you take more punishment as you want to get in, use your rockets with as much TTK-abusing support you can get.

Recon

I’m a bit biased here because it’s my favorite playstyle. But the drone is genuinely really good for those close-quarter fights and ensuring your drone can pursue those hiding and healing. It gives you a way to track enemies and get good picks. Also, it forces other players to either move, exposing their back to you, or shoot the drone, meaning you can peek. There are a lot of creative advantages. The ultimate is also super clutch with getting red markers to pop up on your HUD. Combine that with a decent precision weapon, and Recon players have some crazy advantages to use in-game, whether that be solo or group runs. Oh, and sharing intel with groups? God tier teamwork.

The other good thing is that you get information and control fairly regularly. You can opt to fight or escape if you know the information is bad. All in all, a quality Runner no matter the mode.

Rook

Rook is an interesting Runner, due to it being a solo-only Runner that joins partway through. The strength of Rook honestly depends on map knowledge and what faction upgrades you take.

Arachne Rooks are dubious little creatures with their shotgun and speed modifiers. It was rather strong, and one of the reasons Rooks are kill on sight as it’s not worth the risk of letting a Rook in close and watching you get blown to smithereens. Other factions like MIDA give some defensive opportunities with smart claymore placement to outplay squads if you’re in a location.

More solo chill playstyles exist with CyberAcme being good for building wealth, NuCaloric for getting extra meds, and Sekiguchi for extracting invisible. So those are more chill B-tier Rook playstyles for those wanting a more casual experience. Traxus gives you a random enhanced gun. So maybe good for learning to gunfight or build more weapons up if your inventory is cleared out.

We’ll stick Rook in A Tier for now since it offers quite a bit, especially in good hands.

Triage

Triage is a great character for both solo and group content. Solo she’s a bit underestimated because of the focus on her teamwork and abilities. But, she gets solid options for self-revives and healing speeds, which is extremely strong in a pinch. Her trait for empowering energy Volt weapons means when popping a shield, you EMP them, which is incredibly clutch if you can get the first move off.

As for teamplay, her drone healing, shared healing consumables, revives, and more EMPs are incredibly valuable for teamplay, especially given how much space consumables take up in your inventory, alongside the value they have. Also, long-range revives with her ult are extremely powerful. She might very well be the best teamplay Runner in the game.

Thief

Thief was not available in the Server Slam, so this is more of a hunch. Thief sits in this hybrid zone of intel gathering and scouting, alongside the movement-based play of Vandal. The grapple hook is good for getting you into locations, whether that be for looting or for flanking and making plays. Her vision also helps her figure out what’s valuable for quick, efficient looting tiers, and can even ping what item values enemy players have for some sneaky takedowns and yoink their loot, or to know when it’s time to bail out with your team following suit.

The other cool feature is her Prime ability, giving her a drone to scout areas, open doors, yoink loot, and other cheeky things. That could be used to steal high-value loot in a contested site, or for scouting an area in ways that Recon and Assassin can only dream of. For now, she seems like an A-tier coop role, and maybe a high B solo in the Marathon Runner Tier List till we can get more time with her.

Vandal

Vandal is a peculiar Runner in the sense that she’s the best movement-themed Runner in the game. Her main tricks are to use her Tactical to empower attacks for big damage and pushing enemies away. It’s pretty good for getting pushers away from you and doing damage. Which is an interesting niche.

The other use is her Prime, which grants her a lot of extra movement speed and heat generation. Marathon is notoriously slow, so using this, alongside faction upgrades that improve her heat, is going to see Vandal become a movement god, especially later on in a season. The opportunities for quick solo looting and getting out are very strong, and operating with a group to do impressive flanks is certainly there when working with an Assassin or Recon. Vandal can perform very well, but she is much harder to master and requires a bit more investment before we see her truly pop off.