Marathon Patch Notes | Season 2: Nightfall
Marathon 1.1.5 adds the Vault Breaker PvE mode, Cradle Evolution, and WSTR Combat Shotgun / D54 Battle Pistol balance changes. Complete changelog.
When is the next update?
Marathon rolls to its next season on September 22, 2026.
v1.1.5 — July 21, 20266 changes
The Marathon 1.1.5 patch notes deliver the Season 2: Nightfall mid-season update, headlined by the experimental Vault Breaker PvE mode, a Cradle Evolution progression buff, and weapon balance changes. Track the live Marathon season countdown to the end of Nightfall.
TL;DR — 6 changes: 1 buff (Cradle Evolution), 1 nerf (D54 Battle Pistol), plus a WSTR Combat Shotgun rework, a new Loadout-Limited item cap, a Solo Queue option, and the time-limited Vault Breaker PvE mode. Biggest buff: Cradle Evolution lets a maxed Cradle reset for extra max Energy. Biggest nerf: D54 Battle Pistol now needs extra precision bursts to finish a kill. Meta impact: the Loadout-Limited cap curbs full-grenade-and-shield loadouts while the shotgun/pistol swap nudges close-range fights back toward the WSTR.
Weapons
- WSTR Combat Shotgun — reworked: restores two-shot potential at close range but trims effective range and widens pellet spread active
- D54 Battle Pistol — toned down; now needs extra precision bursts to finish a kill nerf
Mechanics
- Cradle Evolution — first iteration: reset a maxed Cradle for +1 max Energy point and unique cosmetics; the earlier 25% Cradle-progress reduction was reverted buff
- Loadout-Limited items — only 2 allowed per loadout during infil, from a set covering the Bubble Shield, Chem Grenade, EMP Grenade, Flechette Grenade, Frag Grenade and Heat Grenade active
- Solo Queue — new matchmaking option to play without random teammates active
Events & Limited Time
- Vault Breaker — experimental solo/duo/trio PvE mode in the Cryo Archive; ran July 21 – August 4, 2026 expired
v1.1.0 — June 2, 20265 changes
The Marathon 1.1.0 patch notes open Season 2: Nightfall, Bungie’s largest update since launch, headlined by the new Sentinel defensive Runner shell, the Night Marsh zone, and The Cradle progression system. Track the live Marathon season countdown to the end of Nightfall.
TL;DR — 4 changes: new Sentinel Runner shell, the Night Marsh zone, The Cradle progression system, and a full weapon balance pass touching every weapon category. Biggest addition: The Cradle overhauls how Runner shells are upgraded, replacing single-faction reputation grinding. Meta impact: a new defensive shell plus a broad weapon rebalance should slow early Season 2 engagements while players relearn loadouts.
Weapons
- Sweeping weapon balance pass — every weapon category and most individual attachments adjusted active
Map
- Night Marsh — new zone, the Dire Marsh transformed after dark active
New Mechanics
- Sentinel — new defensive Runner shell active
- The Cradle — new stat-customization progression system for Runner shells, removing the need to commit to a single faction for hours to progress active
Bug Fixes
- 100+ bug fixes shipped alongside the new progression architecture active
All Marathon patches
| Version | Date | Season | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| v1.1.5 | July 21, 2026 | Season 2: Nightfall | 6 changes: 1 buff (Cradle Evolution), 1 nerf (D54 Battle Pistol), plus a WSTR Combat Shotgun rework, a new Loadout-Limited item cap, a Solo… |
| v1.1.0 | June 2, 2026 | Season 2: Nightfall | 4 changes: new Sentinel Runner shell, the Night Marsh zone, The Cradle progression system, and a full weapon balance pass touching every we… |