All Runner Shells abilities in Marathon explained

Marathon's Server Slam has begun, with the full launch coming soon, and we finally have confirmed details about the abilities of the seven Runner Shells. Every Runner Shell in Marathon has a unique playstyle that determines their respective strength and weakness. No two Shells behave in the same fashion, and all of them have unique roles, traits, and abilities. This guide will provide you with an overview of all seven Runner Shells that are currently available.Table of contentsAll Runner Shells and their abilities in MarathonDestroyerVandalReconAssassinTriageRookThiefAll Runner Shells and their abilities in Marathon All Runner Shells have a Prime ability, which can be considered their ultimates. These abilities are extremely powerful, but they take time to charge up. They also have their unique traits that serve as their primary gadget. The kit is completed by two abilities or traits that are unique to all Shells.Destroyer The Destroyer is a great choice for beginners and serves the role of an all-rounder in a perfect fashion. Screenshot by Destructoid AbilityHow it WorksSearch and Destroy (Prime)Activate shoulder-mounted missile pods.Riot Barricade (Tactical)Toggle an energy barricade that blocks incoming damage, draining tactical ability energy over time.Thruster (Trait 1)Activate while airborne to fire boosters that thrust you in the direction you are moving.Tactical Sprint (Trait 2)Double-press sprint to move faster at the cost of generating additional heat.Vandal Screenshot by Destructoid Vandal mixes combat-focused abilities with movement buffs. AbilityHow it WorksAmplify (Prime)Increases movement speed and weapon dexterity while reducing the heat generation at the same time. Disrupt Cannon (Tactical)Transform the arm into a cannon that deals damage and pushes the enemy back.Microjets (Trait 1)Perform an extra jump at the cost of extra heat. Power Slide (Trait 2)Grants a supercharged slide that generates extra heat. Recon Screenshot by Destructoid The Recon is the perfect Shell to locate and track down enemies. AbilityHow it WorksEcho Pulse (Prime)Release a series of sonar pulses that reveal the location of nearby hostiles.Tracker Drone (Tactical)Deploy a microbot that tracks down enemies and explodes. Interrogation (Trait 1)Get an automatic warning whenever you're pinged by a hostile runner. Perform a finisher on the runner to reveal their crew. Stalker Protocol (Trait 2)Breaking an enemy’s shield forces them to leave behind a visible trail. Assassin Screenshot by Destructoid The Assassin's primary role is to use stealth to create confusion among the opposition players. AbilityHow it WorksScoke Screen (Prime)Throw a smoke disc that creates a line of smoke in front of you. Active Camo (Tactical)Allows you to become invisible, but performing any offensive action disrupts the cloak's effects. Shadow Dive (Trait 1)Activate while airborne to slam a smoke disc into the ground. Shroud (Trait 2)Your cloak automatically makes you invisible when you're entering smoke. Triage Screenshot by Destructoid If you want to play as a healer, Triage is a great Shell to pick. AbilityHow it WorksReboot+ (Prime)Allows you to revive your allies and EMP enemies at the same time. Med-Drone (Tactical)Deploy a floating drone that heals and recharges shields. You can also use it to stop bleeding when downed. Shareware.exe (Trait 1)All medical consumables and their benefits are shared between players. Battery Overcharge (Trait 2)Allows you to temporarily supercharge your weapons at the cost of generating heat. Rook Screenshot by Destructoid Rook is the perfect scavenger, and that's all you need to know. AbilityHow it WorksRecuperation (Prime)Allows you to slowly restore health over time. Signal Mask (Tactical)Activate a temporary mask and hide your presence from UESC forces. Thief If you're one to go for the best possible loot, Thief is a great choice. She can also use a drone to steal from enemies. AbilityHow it WorksPickpocket Drone (Prime)Deploy a drone that opens doors and steals from the enemies. Grapple Device (Tactical)A grapple device that offers better mobility. X-Ray Visor (Trait 1)Allows you to see enemies and containers. The Finer Things (Trait 2)Get better weapon handling and faster grapple recharges. The post All Runner Shells abilities in Marathon explained appeared first on Destructoid.

Feb 27, 2026 - 09:09

All Runner Shells abilities in Marathon explained

Marathon's Server Slam has begun, with the full launch coming soon, and we finally have confirmed details about the abilities of the seven Runner Shells.

Every Runner Shell in Marathon has a unique playstyle that determines their respective strength and weakness. No two Shells behave in the same fashion, and all of them have unique roles, traits, and abilities. This guide will provide you with an overview of all seven Runner Shells that are currently available.

Table of contents

All Runner Shells and their abilities in Marathon

All Runner Shells and their abilities in Marathon

All Runner Shells have a Prime ability, which can be considered their ultimates. These abilities are extremely powerful, but they take time to charge up. They also have their unique traits that serve as their primary gadget. The kit is completed by two abilities or traits that are unique to all Shells.

Destroyer

The Destroyer is a great choice for beginners and serves the role of an all-rounder in a perfect fashion.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Ability

How it Works

Search and Destroy (Prime)

Activate shoulder-mounted missile pods.

Riot Barricade (Tactical)

Toggle an energy barricade that blocks incoming damage, draining tactical ability energy over time.

Thruster (Trait 1)

Activate while airborne to fire boosters that thrust you in the direction you are moving.

Tactical Sprint (Trait 2)

Double-press sprint to move faster at the cost of generating additional heat.

Vandal

Screenshot by Destructoid Vandal mixes combat-focused abilities with movement buffs.

Ability

How it Works

Amplify (Prime)

Increases movement speed and weapon dexterity while reducing the heat generation at the same time.

Disrupt Cannon (Tactical)

Transform the arm into a cannon that deals damage and pushes the enemy back.

Microjets (Trait 1)

Perform an extra jump at the cost of extra heat.

Power Slide (Trait 2)

Grants a supercharged slide that generates extra heat.

Recon

Screenshot by Destructoid The Recon is the perfect Shell to locate and track down enemies.

Ability

How it Works

Echo Pulse (Prime)

Release a series of sonar pulses that reveal the location of nearby hostiles.

Tracker Drone (Tactical)

Deploy a microbot that tracks down enemies and explodes.

Interrogation (Trait 1)

Get an automatic warning whenever you're pinged by a hostile runner. Perform a finisher on the runner to reveal their crew.

Stalker Protocol (Trait 2)

Breaking an enemy’s shield forces them to leave behind a visible trail.

Assassin

Screenshot by Destructoid The Assassin's primary role is to use stealth to create confusion among the opposition players.

Ability

How it Works

Scoke Screen (Prime)

Throw a smoke disc that creates a line of smoke in front of you.

Active Camo (Tactical)

Allows you to become invisible, but performing any offensive action disrupts the cloak's effects.

Shadow Dive (Trait 1)

Activate while airborne to slam a smoke disc into the ground.

Shroud (Trait 2)

Your cloak automatically makes you invisible when you're entering smoke.

Triage

Screenshot by Destructoid If you want to play as a healer, Triage is a great Shell to pick.

Ability

How it Works

Reboot+ (Prime)

Allows you to revive your allies and EMP enemies at the same time.

Med-Drone (Tactical)

Deploy a floating drone that heals and recharges shields. You can also use it to stop bleeding when downed.

Shareware.exe (Trait 1)

All medical consumables and their benefits are shared between players.

Battery Overcharge (Trait 2)

Allows you to temporarily supercharge your weapons at the cost of generating heat.

Rook

Screenshot by Destructoid Rook is the perfect scavenger, and that's all you need to know.

Ability

How it Works

Recuperation (Prime)

Allows you to slowly restore health over time.

Signal Mask (Tactical)

Activate a temporary mask and hide your presence from UESC forces.

Thief

If you're one to go for the best possible loot, Thief is a great choice. She can also use a drone to steal from enemies.

Ability

How it Works

Pickpocket Drone (Prime)

Deploy a drone that opens doors and steals from the enemies.

Grapple Device (Tactical)

A grapple device that offers better mobility.

X-Ray Visor (Trait 1)

Allows you to see enemies and containers.

The Finer Things (Trait 2)

Get better weapon handling and faster grapple recharges.

The post All Runner Shells abilities in Marathon explained appeared first on Destructoid.

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