Bungie pushed out the Marathon 1.0.0.4 update after players raised several issues during the Server Slam and the early launch period. The patch touches AI difficulty, resource availability, thermal scope balance, and a number of gameplay changes that affect how matches play out.
TL;DR
- Bungie’s Marathon 1.0.0.4 update addresses player complaints from the Server Slam and early launch period.
- The patch improves ammo and medical supply availability, especially on the Perimeter map.
- Thermal scopes received a major nerf across multiple weapon categories to reduce unfair long-range ambushes.
- UECS enemy health and boss shield values were lowered to reduce resource drain during extended fights.
- Additional gameplay changes improve audio range, objective visibility, and overall match readability.
Table of contents
Improved Resource Availability
Players reported that ammo and medical supplies felt too limited during runs. Bungie increased the spawn rate of Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates on the Perimeter map. Starter kits sponsored by MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne now include more starting ammunition so new players do not enter early encounters with empty reserves.
Thermal Scope Nerf and PvP Balance
Thermal scopes now operate with lower visual clarity and shorter detection ranges across several weapon categories.
The change reduces long range ambush situations where players previously had almost no time to react.
Weapon and Class Balance Changes
The WSTR shotgun obtained through the Arachne Boomstick faction upgrade now appears as a Compromised item. Players must use a Matter Fixative during a run to extract the weapon. The change stops players from repeatedly farming the shotgun and carrying it into future runs.
UECS AI Difficulty Adjustments
Enemy AI health values changed across several encounters. The health of most UESC troops and boss shields dropped slightly to reduce the resource pressure players experience during extended fights. Bungie explained that combat should remain dangerous, but encounters should no longer drain ammunition and healing supplies at the same pace as before.
Other Gameplay Improvements
Gunshots and explosions now travel farther across the map, which makes nearby combat easier to hear. Contract objective markers are easier to locate because their visibility range increased from 10 meters to 20 meters.
Bungie Responding Quickly to Player Feedback
The update arrived shortly after Bungie expanded Marathon’s Season 1 battle pass with additional cosmetic rewards following community criticism. Fast responses matter in extraction shooters because balance issues quickly affect how risk, loot, and survival feel during a match.
Marathon: Looking Ahead
Balance patches like this one usually define how a live service extraction shooter stabilizes after launch. Marathon will continue receiving changes as Bungie reviews player data and community feedback.