Marathon has a unique progression system in which character upgrades are obtained by improving faction standing. Upgrade effects can vary widely across factions, such as increasing the credit limit or getting a free shield daily. These upgrades significantly impact players' gameplay and are a great benchmark for progression. There are over 100 upgrades currently available to players, and navigating all of them can be overwhelming. So here is your guide to Faction Upgrades, which ones to do first and why.
5. Expansion - CyberAcme
Increasing Storage Space
CyberAcme offers some of the best upgrades for players, and in extraction shooters, having more storage space can dictate how quickly you progress. This fact makes upgrading the Expansion node one of the first upgrades players should purchase. At max level, this upgrade node will give players a total of 30 Extra Rows of storage. It lets players store more items for future upgrades or just have extra loadouts ready to go.
4. Flex_Matrix.exe - MIDA
Move Faster, Loot Faster, Increased Speed and Mobility
Movement is tantamount to survival in most extraction shooters. Being able to outflank your opponent or run away from difficult engagements is a huge part of winning in extraction shooters. This fact makes Flex_Matrix.exe from MIDA a priority upgrade. It gives players a small but noticeable boost to Movement Speed and Jump Height, making repositioning during firefights much easier. At max level, the upgrade gives players +60 Agility, making it one of the upgrades players need to grind through first.
3. Safeguard and Restore - NuCaloric
Unlimited Healing Items
Players who have played other extraction shooters know that medicine and healing items are expensive—having to purchase healing items before every run can quickly drain whatever currency their game uses. Fear not, Marathon players, as NuCaloric has 2 upgrades that are essential for every player. Safeguard and Restore: these 2 upgrades function similarly, providing healing items for the player to claim every day. By upgrading these 2 nodes, players receive free Shield Charges and Patch Kits. This upgrade can help players save up their Credits to purchase better guns, Cores, or even other Faction Upgrades.
2. Mips Shotgun - Arachne
Meta Shotgun
By far one of the best and most economical upgrades players can make in Marathon is upgrading the Mips Shotgun node. This upgrade lets players purchase the terrifyingly powerful WSTR Shotgun. The double-barrel shotgun has been used to great effect since the server slam. It can be used stock, and it is surprisingly effective even at base rarity. Being able to purchase one of the best guns for every run can make your trips to Tau Ceti IV much more pleasant and violent.
1. Heat-Sink.exe - CyberAcme
More Heat = More Stamina
In Marathon, movement outside of walking normally generates heat. When your runner shell overheats, you incur significant movement penalties that can expedite your return to the main menu. As mentioned earlier, mobility and survival are intrinsically linked. While Flex_Matrix lets you move faster, Heat_Sink lets you move more. It increases the amount of Heat your Shell can take before incurring penalties, letting you run more, jump more, and slide more. The community widely agrees that this upgrade is the single most beneficial upgrade that players can get to increase their chances of survival on Tau Ceti IV.
