Marathon's new update pushes for player cooperation

Bungie has released a new update for Marathon (version 1.0.6) that includes a mid-season balance pass and a new progression system that changes how players interact in matches. The update went live on April 14, 2026, and is part of the game's ongoing support for Season 1. The newest patch is all about making combat more fair, rewarding players for making progress, and adding new systems to encourage players to work together.

The CyberAcme Runner Reinforcement Initiative (CARRI) is one of the standout additions in update 1.0.6. It rewards players for completing contracts as well as successfully extracting, while also encouraging teamwork during matches. Whether you’re playing solo or as part of a squad, CARRI tracks your progress and hands out bonuses based on how well you perform and how long you manage to survive in each run. This is meant to cut down on purely aggressive playstyles and encourage more structured extraction runs.

“Stay Together” feature encourages squad cohesion

Alongside C.A.R.R.I., Bungie has introduced an experimental “Stay Together” mechanic, which encourages players in squads to remain grouped during engagements and extraction phases.

The system ties rewards and efficiency bonuses to being close to your team and moving together, which punishes players who leave their team too soon. This fits with Bungie's overall design direction for Marathon, which has always put tactical decision-making ahead of quick solo kills.

Update 1.0.6 also includes a general balance pass for several weapon types. According to the patch details, adjustments affect some of the following weapons:

• Railgun performance tuning
• SMG damage and recoil behavior
• Biotoxic Disinjector adjustments
• General pacing changes across mid-range engagements

As per the update, these changes are meant to stabilize the combat meta after early Season 1 feedback, especially around high-mobility weapon combinations and burst-damage encounters.

Updates for the season pass and progression

The update also adds new unlockable items and progression rewards to the season pass structure. Players will find updated cosmetic tiers and contract-based progression linked to the new C.A.R.R.I. system. This means that seasonal rewards will be more closely linked to how well players do in matches instead of just passive progression.

This is part of a continuing change in Marathon's live-service structure, with Bungie refining its seasonal loop shortly after launch. Bungie hasn't stated if the "Stay Together" feature will remain in the Marathon as a test or become a permanent part of it in future updates.