In this Marathon Weapons Ranking guide, we’ll break down the best weapons in Marathon Alpha, ranking them from strongest to weakest based on early feedback and performance impressions. We will also outline the basic characteristics of the currently available weapons. Additionally, we have prepared close and long-range weapons rankings for your convenience.
Marathon Best Weapons
Marathon’s closed alpha has given players a first taste of Bungie’s new extraction shooter, and already, a meta is forming around the most effective guns. Remember, Marathon’s time-to-kill is very fast. By design, even basic guns can kill a geared player with skill, so choosing the right weapon can mean the difference between extracting with loot or losing it all.
Based on current alpha testing, we’ve compiled a Marathon weapons tier list of all known guns from best to worst. This ranking draws on the experience of our testing team, community impressions, playtest footage, and the overall utility of each weapon in PvP.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Twin Tap HPR, WSTR Combat Shotgun, Longshot, M77 Assault Rifle, BRRT SMG |
| A | Overrun AR, Hardline PR, Repeater HPR, Bully SMG, Conquest LMG, Magnum MC, V00 ZEUS RG |
| B | CE Tactical Sidearm, V11 Punch, V22 Volt Thrower, V95 Lookout |
📗 Note: Marathon’s arsenal spans classic kinetic firearms and exotic “volt” energy weapons. There are no rocket or grenade launchers in the alpha build, so gunskill and precision matter even more.
All 16 weapons currently confirmed in the new Marathon alpha are listed above. S-Tier guns have the highest impact in matches, while B-Tier options are more situational or underpowered. Using these top weapons can give you not only an edge in Marathon’s high-stakes firefights but also a chance to successfully extract all the loot you’ve gathered.
Marathon S Tier Weapons
Of course, weapon balance may shift as Marathon is only tested and will see lots of updates until release. But for now, these are the best guns in Marathon (alpha) to consider for your loadout. Below, we take a closer look at the top 5 weapons in the alpha and why they stand out.
Twin Tap HPR
The Twin Tap HPR is a semi-automatic scout rifle-style weapon that fires two rapid rounds per trigger pull (hence the name “Twin Tap”). It delivers excellent precision and burst damage at mid to long range.
In alpha playtests, Twin Tap has earned a reputation as one of the nastiest weapons available — if you land your shots, you can down targets very quickly. This rifle shows the best results in the hands of players with good aim. Additionally, it’s great for holding sightlines or overwatch positions.
- Strengths: High damage per burst and accuracy at range, capable of dropping even shielded opponents fast.
- Drawbacks: A small magazine and a slower rate of fire than full-auto guns.
WSTR Combat Shotgun
The WSTR Combat Shotgun is the premier close-range weapon in Marathon’s alpha. This is a sawn-off shotgun (lever-action style) that packs tremendous stopping power at point-blank distances.
With Marathon’s punchy time-to-kill, a well-placed blast from the Combat Shotgun will one-shot an enemy runner who’s up close, deleting their health bar before they can react. It’s ideal for breaching rooms, holding corners, or ambushing opponents around objectives. Many alpha players pair this shotgun as a secondary for an assault-oriented Runner (like Locus) to ensure anything that gets too close is instantly neutralized.
- Strengths: Absolutely devastating at close range; easy to use under pressure — just point and shoot to drop targets in one hit.
- Drawbacks: Very limited range and a slow rate of fire/reload.
Longshot
As the name implies, Longshot is Marathon’s sniper rifle — a long-range specialist built for picking off foes at a distance. This bolt-action rifle (seen in the alpha) delivers the highest per-shot damage of any gun in the test. In capable hands, the Longshot can eliminate a player with a single well-placed headshot.
Even body shots hit hard enough to cripple an enemy, letting your team finish them off. The Longshot shines on maps with open sightlines (like certain areas of Perimeter or Dire Marsh) where a patient sniper can down players before they even know where the shot came from.
- Strengths: Unmatched range and killing power — it turns Marathon into a marksman’s game, allowing you to engage targets that can’t effectively retaliate.
- Drawbacks: Very slow firing and likely a small magazine; it demands excellent aim and positioning. In close quarters or fast pushes, the Longshot is a liability.
M77 Assault Rifle
The M77 Assault Rifle is a bread-and-butter primary weapon and one of the most reliable guns in the Marathon alpha. It’s a full-auto kinetic assault rifle, comparable to a Destiny auto rifle or Halo MA-series rifle in feel.
In Marathon’s high-pressure matches, this rifle’s versatility is a huge asset — you can lay down steady suppressive fire at mid-range, but still snap to targets up close if needed. Alpha testers describe the gunplay as extremely crisp and familiar to Bungie fans, so the M77’s handling is comfortable and easy to control even for new players.
- Strengths: Jack-of-all-trades weapon — solid at mid-range duels, decent at close range with controlled burst firing, and usable at longer ranges with tap-fire.
- Drawbacks: Being balanced means it doesn’t excel in any one area — it can be outclassed by shotguns up close or by snipers at long range. Additionally, its damage per shot is average.
Despite that, the M77 AR is often a go-to gun in the alpha for its reliability. It’s a great primary to build a loadout around, especially when you’re not sure what enemy encounters to expect.
BRRT SMG
The BRRT SMG is a compact submachine gun that absolutely melts opponents at close range. This weapon boasts an extremely high rate of fire — as its onomatopoeic name suggests, it sprays bullets in a rapid stream.
In the alpha, the BRRT SMG has proven deadly for run-and-gun playstyles: if you rush an enemy and unload this SMG, you can chew through their health in the blink of an eye. It’s perfect for aggressive Runners like Glitch or Void who want to get in the enemy’s face, or as a backup to finish off wounded targets.
- Strengths: One of the fastest time-to-kill among automatic weapons at point-blank range. Moreover, it’s very forgiving if your aim isn’t pinpoinе.
- Drawbacks: Severe damage falloff at distance and notable recoil. Outside of close quarters, this SMG’s effectiveness plummets; enemies, even at a medium distance away, will shrug off its tickle.
Marathon Best Close-Range Weapons
When the fighting gets up-close and personal, these weapons truly shine. Marathon’s alpha offers a few stand-out choices for close-range firefights where raw stopping power or speed is key. Here are the 5 best close-quarters weapons and a quick note on each:
- WSTR Combat Shotgun — is the undisputed king of close combat. Its one-shot kill potential at point-blank range makes it ideal for breaching and defending tight spaces.
- Bully SMG — a high-damage submachine gun. It’s great for holding down indoor areas with a steadier aim, though it still struggles beyond short range.
- Magnum MC (Hand Cannon) — a hefty Magnum sidearm that packs a punch. In close quarters, two well-placed rounds from this pistol can finish off an enemy, acting as a reliable backup if your primary runs dry.
- V11 Punch — early impressions suggest the “Punch” can one-hit kill if you get within melee distance, essentially functioning as a super shotgun or power fist.
- V22 Volt Thrower — is excellent for flushing enemies out of tight groups or shocking multiple targets in a room.
These close-range weapons excel in enclosed areas and frantic face-to-face engagements. A shotgun or SMG is almost mandatory for interior sections of maps like Outpost. Just remember to close the gap. Even the strongest CQC weapon won’t help if you’re caught in the open before you can get within lethal range.
Marathon Best Long-Range Weapons
On the flip side, if you prefer to engage targets from a distance, Marathon’s alpha has several weapons tailored for long-range combat. These guns let you pick off enemies before they can retaliate. Here are the top picks for long-range engagements:
- Longshot (Sniper Rifle) — can eliminate players with a single headshot at long distances, making it the go-to choice for dedicated marksmen.
- Twin Tap HPR — though being a mid-range tool, it remains highly effective at long range too. Many alpha players favor it for its versatility; you can engage at sniper-like ranges while still having some flexibility up close.
- Repeater HPR — a lever-action rifle that fires heavy rounds with excellent stopping power. The Repeater HPR has a very low magazine size. It must be cycled between shots, but its damage output is tremendous.
- V00 ZEUS RG (Railgun) — a heavy, long-range weapon that fires a fast, high-powered bolt. It’s basically the closest thing to a one-shot cannon in the alpha.
- Hardline PR (Pulse Rifle) — is a three-round burst pulse rifle that performs well at medium-long ranges. It offers precision with a bit of forgiveness.
A team running a Longshot or ZEUS railgun can lock down entire approaches, forcing enemies to reroute. If you prefer a safer play style, consider bringing one of these long-range guns in your loadout. Mix it with a close-range option from the prior section to be prepared for fights at any distance.
All in all, our Marathon Weapons Ranking provided a comprehensive overview of the alpha testing weapons. Now you know which guns and rifles to prioritize, and which of them are perfect for different ranges. We expect the meta to change by the end of alpha testing and on the game release, so keep an eye on our updates.
