update · July 16, 2026
Marathon Mid-Season Update Adds PvE Mode Vault Breaker and Weapon Balance
Marathon's upcoming Mid-Season 2 update launches the experimental PvE mode Vault Breaker, reworks the WSTR shotgun and D54 battle pistol, and places strict pre-run limits on throwable gear. Update 1.1.5 runs from July 21 through August 4.
Marathon prepares for its Mid-Season Update, combining weapon tuning, loadout restrictions, and the title's initial experimental PvE mode. Update 1.1.5 arrives on July 21, adding the roguelite Vault Breaker mode inside the Cryo Archive alongside targeted weapon adjustments.
Vault Breaker PvE Mode
Running from July 21 to August 4, Vault Breaker sends Solo, Duo, or Trio crews into the Cryo Archive to target and loot vaults. Players earn Vault Data to upgrade a special Sponsored Kit or purchase gear from the Vault Breaker Armory. Tier 1 Vault Data drops from vaults or UESC Commanders, while Tier 2 data requires clearing consecutive vaults in a single run. Dying without exfil restricts non-currency items.
WSTR Shotgun Rework and Battle Pistol Nerf
The WSTR Combat Shotgun receives a damage buff from 85 to 100, restoring its two-hit-kill potential at close range. However, ballistic shotguns lose all precision damage bonus multipliers except for the Circuit Breaker. Meanwhile, the D54 Battle Pistol sees its precision bonus drop from 1.5x to 1.38x, and its damage falloff range is reduced by 10 across all stat tiers, requiring an extra burst to drop shielded runners.
Loadout Restrictions and Cradle Evolution
Runners are restricted to carrying a combined total of only two specific throwables—such as Bubble Shields, Frag Grenades, or EMP Grenades—into a match to curb AOE spam. Additionally, maxing out your Cradle unlocks an Evolution system, letting players reset back to zero to earn an extra maximum Energy point and exclusive runner shell styles.
Why this patch matters
Update 1.1.5 alters weapon ranges, tests a dedicated PvE extraction mode, and restricts starting throwable spam.