- Bungie's next extraction shooter, Marathon, will be released with three playable maps on launch: Dire Marsh, Perimeter, and Outpost.
- Each map comes with different player capacities and challenges that you must tackle by selecting the right Runners.
- A fourth map called UESC Marathon will also be released shortly after the game launches, posing a new challenge for high-level players.
Bungie is bringing back its classic sci-fi shooter mechanics with a fresh twist in the upcoming game Marathon. In this PvP extraction shooter, players, referred to as “Runners,” strive for survival, loot, and glory on the enigmatic planet Tau Ceti IV. The focus is on furious multiplayer combat. Marathon will include a range of playable maps at launch, each intended to present different experiences and difficulties. With that, here are all the confirmed Marathon maps that players can expect to see in the game.
We have also learned that UESC Marathon will be available as a playable map shortly after the game is released on September 23. Keep reading to know about them all.
1. Dire Marsh

- Max Player: 18 Players, 6 Teams of 3
Dire Marsh is one of the decently sized maps in the Marathon map roster. This was one of the maps revealed by Bungie during the gameplay overview trailer. Dire Marsh is located in a dense marshland environment on Tau Ceti IV. While I call it decent in size, it’s still one of the larger maps in the game so far. And to fit everyone, 18 players can enter at once.
For an extraction shooter POV, Dire Marsh fits in really well. It is open enough for players to scout fights before walking up to their next stash. When you jump into this map, you would want to use a faster Marathon Runner. My suggestions are Glitch and Locus. However, if you are good at handling stealth, Void is not a bad choice either. Just expect a lot of enemies in every proximity. There is a special high-gear dropship that arrives on this map. That is why having a faster class will benefit you.
But that’s just about the PVP part, what about the AI enemies roaming freely? Well, you have to deal with them as well. If you kill the NPCs, you will have a higher advantage, as it can get you some solid loot to extract with. Or, poke the NPCs and let other real players get baited in a fight where you can third-party at any time.
2. Perimeter

- Max Player: 15 Players, 5 Teams of 3
Trading Dire Marsh’s claustrophobic factories for the wide-open vistas of Tau Ceti IV, Perimeter explores the outer reaches of human settlement. While details remain scarce, the map’s design suggests a focus on extended firefights. Think of it as the untamed sibling of Dire Marsh, likely retaining its blend of player-versus-player action while introducing the added peril of AI encounters across its desolate expanse.
Overall, there are limited hotspots where you can find big loot. This means the whole map is bragging rights for those who can conquer the enemies. So, if you love getting into a pit fight, Perimeter’s vast jungle and congested areas will suit you.
3. Outpost

- Max Player: 9–12 Players, 3–4 Teams of 3
Outpost, Marathon’s third confirmed map, looks set to be the proving ground for its endgame. Reports suggest a tougher challenge, demanding patience and skill. Expect unrelenting enemy waves: think UESC Recruits, maybe even P’fhor Fighters attacking from every direction.
This could easily make Outpost one of the most PvE-heavy maps on day one. That extends further when you know the size of the map is a little smaller, but the player count stays 12. I wouldn’t be surprised if some players pick Void and go into hiding until there is less chaos to deal with.
4. UESC Marathon

- Max Player: Unknown
Finally, arriving shortly after the September launch, prepare to face the ultimate test: the iconic UESC Marathon ship itself. This fourth map isn’t just another arena; it’s a direct homage to the legendary original Marathon trilogy, meticulously crafted as a high-level challenge for those who have truly mastered the game’s intricate mechanics.
Destiny 2 veterans will find a familiar thrill in its Raid-like structure. Players will steer through enemy-infested chambers, each culminating in a formidable mini-boss guarding a crucial key. Gather enough of these keys, and the path to the final boss chamber will open. Besting this powerful enemy rewards players with a coveted Artifact.
The identity of this final boss remains shrouded in mystery, fueling fervent speculation. Could it be the cunning AI Durandal, perhaps now inhabiting a physical form? Or maybe a formidable S’pht Compiler, resurrected and more powerful than ever? The Artifact itself is also the subject of intense debate, with theories ranging from a significant PvP unlock to a temporal portal that momentarily thrusts players into a chaotic real-time PvP skirmish before seamlessly returning them to the cooperative PvE experience.
Adding to the exclusivity, rumors suggest that this pinnacle map will feature a level cap, ensuring that only seasoned players who have reached the endgame can access its formidable challenges. While only these four core maps will be available at launch, Bungie has already confirmed an expanding universe of battlegrounds on the horizon, a promise by the game’s evolving seasonal model.
Are you excited to jump into any of these confirmed Marathon maps? Which weapon loadout are you planning to use when you start your extraction journey? Do tell us in the comments below.