update · June 23, 2026
Marathon Outlines Mid-Season Update and Season 3 Schedule
Bungie detailed upcoming dates for Marathon, introducing the Vault Breaker PVE mode on July 21 and mapping out major early game changes for Season 3 on September 22.
Bungie outlined key dates and content for upcoming Marathon updates, highlighting a July 21 mid-season launch headlined by an experimental PVE mode, alongside early plans for Season 3 in September.
Vault Breaker PVE Mode
Launching on July 21, Vault Breaker is a new experimental PVE mode taking solo players, duos, or crews into the Cryo Archive. Players queue with a special Sponsored Kit to clear increasingly difficult vaults. Gear found during runs stays behind upon extraction, but Vault Data currency can be extracted to upgrade Sponsored Kits and unlock gear usable in other modes without unbalancing the main economy.
Cradle Evolution System
The mid-season update adds the Cradle Evolution system. Maxing out a Cradle allows players to reset to zero in exchange for an additional maximum Energy point and unique cosmetics, including Runner shell styles. Cradle progression speeds will also be increased.
Season 3 Roadmap
Season 3 arrives on September 22, bringing major revisions to the early game experience. Perimeter will receive a comprehensive revamp featuring new areas, gameplay, and encounters, alongside a new Runner shell and additional weapons and equipment.
Quality-of-Life Additions
The mid-season update also introduces player profile stats alongside general tuning and additional quality-of-life adjustments.
Why this patch matters
Marathon's roadmap balances high-risk PVE experimentation with economy protections and long-term progression resets, setting up substantial content additions for the rest of the season.