Runner Shell Tier List (Solo Mode)

Assassin

Extraction shooters are notorious for incentivizing third-partying and rat play due to their high-stakes nature. In Marathon, there is no better Runner Shell for capitalizing off this playstyle than the Assassin.

This is because of their access to Active Camo and Smoke Screen, which allow them to enter fights with a big advantage or escape when someone tries to get the jump on them.

They are typically kept in check by info-gathering abilities from Runners like Recon and Thief, but Recon will be less popular in solo play and Thief will likely want to avoid combat altogether.

Overall, they should be a meta-defining pick unless thermal sights are easy to obtain.

Vandal

If the thought of playing Assassin makes you cringe and you want to dominate enemies with raw mechanical outplays, the Vandal is the other S-tier pick of our list.

WhileVandal doesn't make for the best teammate due to their lack of utility, they are powerful as a standalone entity due to their kit having the most raw offensive power, movement options, and Heat resource advantages.

Expect to see many of the highlight reels from streamers and creators to be while wielding the Vandal.

Destroyer

The Destroyer's versatile mix of combat options, from the defensive Riot Barricade to the offensive Search and Destroy, make them a solid choice for solo play.

Their kit also has the second most mobility after the Vandal, and in comparison, they are much easier to play. If you're a beginner, we'd recommend them over Assassin and Vandal until your macro and micro skills improve.

Thief

If you want to avoid combat altogether and focus on looting as a solo player, the Thief is the way to go.

The Pickpocket Drone is an incredible tool, allowing you to scout or steal directly from other Runners who are preoccupied. Grapple Device gives you the flexibility to reach vertical spaces and outmaneuver basically anyone but the Vandal.

What holds them back is that their combat ability is very limited, so they're at a disadvantage in basically every fair fight.

Triage

As the medic class of Marathon, it's no surprise that Triage wouldn't be as great in solo play.

While they do benefit from the survivability provided by their Med-Drone, they can get outdueled due to their lack of mobility options.

While Reboot+ can still be used offensively as an EMP, they have no use for their signature revive ability since they can't use it on themselves.

Recon

Just like Triage, who is a powerhouse in teamplay, the Recon can be underwhelming as a solo Runner.

This is because they are the premier info-gathering Runner Shell of Marathon, but info is only as valuable as your ability to act on it.

Not to mention that their Echo Pulse is also seen by enemies, so it can be a detriment by self-reporting that they're in the area.

Lastly, they lack mobility and don't have offensive utility besides Tracker Drone, making them a sitting duck in many situations.