Runner Shells are the foundation of character builds in Marathon, but Cores and Implants are how players can further customize and optimize them to suit their personal preference. With dozens of both Cores and Implants to choose from, it can be difficult to make a decision, even when taking the rarity flags into consideration: higher isn’t necessarily better.

This guide is a shortlist of the best Cores, Implants, and Backpacks for all of the Runner Shells in Marathon.

Best Marathon Cores

Best Standard And Rook Cores

Cash Flow

Standard Core

35 Credits

Opening an unlooted container pings a nearby data card.

The Big Score

Standard Core

35 Credits

After opening a locked door or container, your Loot Speed stat is temporarily greatly increased.

Static Casket

Standard Core

35 Credits

When downed, you gain the Signal Jammer effect until revived or eliminated, scrambling your appearance to others.

Best Destroyer Cores

Lock ‘N Load

Deluxe Core

200 Credits

Your weapons ready and reload more quickly and receive less flinch from incoming fire.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Destroyer+’.

Bullrush

Superior Core

600 Credits

Your Riot Barricade does not passively drain energy while you perform your Tactical Sprint.

Counter Attack

Prestige Core

2500 Credits

When Riot Barricade takes damage, you periodically release a retaliatory missile at your attacker.

Best Vandal Cores

Tag!

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

Disrupt Cannon deals additional damage and pings targets caught in the blast.

Mechanized Holsters

Deluxe Core

200 Credits

Your Power Slide reloads your ballistic weapons from reserves and recharges a portion of your volt weapons’ current battery.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Vandal+’.

Adrenal Core

Superior Core

600 Credits

While Amplified, your movement abilities generate even less heat. Using a Cardio Kick extends Amplify’s duration.

Best Recon Cores

Eye in the Sky

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

UESC Target Acquisition Devices that you access remain active for longer and release additional ping pulses.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Recon’.

Predator

Deluxe Core

200 Credits

Gain increased sprint speed and heat cooldown rate when your Tracker Drone attacks a target. Your Tracker Drone Overheats targets for an increased duration.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Recon+’.

Early Warning System

Prestige Core

2500 Credits

You receive an alert on your HUD when a hostile Runner is nearby.

Best Assassin Cores

Breathing Space

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

Your Shroud increases your weapons’ reload speed while in any smoke field.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Assassin’.

Flexweave Casing

Deluxe Core

200 Credits

You move faster and ready your weapons more quickly while invisible.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Assassin+’.

Minus Sights

Prestige Core

2500 Credits

After aiming down sights for a short time, you become invisible at the cost of generating heat.

Best Triage Cores

Ounce of Prevention

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

Your Med-Drone increases Hardware and firewall of crew members while attached.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Triage’.

Med-Drone Overcharge

Superior Core

600 Credits

Your Med-Drone heals crew members more quickly and efficiently.

No Good Deed

Superior Core

600 Credits

You receive a burst of healing when your Med-Drone attaches to a crew member.

Best Thief Cores

Greed is Good

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

When your backpack is completely full, your sprint speed and slide distance are increased.

Crime Spree

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

Each container you open increases your Loot Speed. This increase resets when you’re downed.

Boutique

Enhanced Core

70 Credits

The Finer Things also grants weapon reload speed and Agility based on the number of items in your Backpack.

Unlocked by the Sekiguchi Upgrade ‘Thief’.

Best Marathon Implants

Best Head Implants

Ping+ V2

Enhanced Head Implant

70 Credits

• Bedside Manner

While a crew member is nearby, your Self-Repair Speed is increased and you use healing consumables more quickly.

• Hardware -10
• Loot Speed -15

Ping+ V4

Deluxe Head Implant

200 Credits

• Never There

Entering smoke removes any pings on you.

• Hardware +10
• Loot Speed +15
• Ping Duration +20

Sprint Kit V4

Superior Head Implant

600 Credits

• Energy Reservoir

Using an Energy Amp grants tactical and prime ability energy to nearby crew members.

Best Torso Implants

Hurting Hands V4

Superior Torso Implant

• Snapshot Rifling

Readying a weapon briefly increases its accuracy and range.

• Haptic Feedback

While you have a lingering effect from a consumable, gain increased Loot Speed.

• Finisher Siphon +50
• Firewall +20
• Prime Recovery +10

Unlocked by the Arachne Upgrade ‘HURTING HANDS+’.

Nimble Fingers V3

Deluxe Torso Implant

• Run Ya Pockets

Defeating UESC with a melee or knife attack grants you credits.

• Agility +10
• Fall Resistance -10
• Hardware +10
• Loot Speed +35
• Melee Damage -20

Survival Kit V4

Superior Torso Implant

600 Credits

• Sleight of Hand

While in smoke, you gain increased Loot Speed.

• Firewall +20
• Hardware +20
• Ping Duration +20
• Revive Speed +20
• Self Repair Speed +20

Unlocked by the MIDA Upgrade ‘Survivor++’.

Best Leg Implants

Distance Runner V3

Deluxe Leg Implant

200 Credits

• Materialist+

Upon exfil, grants additional Deluxe and Superior Salvage.

Graceful Landings V3

Deluxe Leg Implant

200 Credits

• Crouching Tiger

Crouching for a short duration grants you increased Melee Damage.

• Parting Gift

Defeating a hostile with a melee or knife attack restores a small amount of health or shields.

• Recycler

Your finishers heal nearby allies a small amount.

• Agility +15
• Fall Resistance +35

Unlocked by the MIDA Upgrade ‘Graceful+’.

Solid Stance V3

Deluxe Leg Implant

200 Credits

• Explosive and Melee Resistance

Reduces incoming UESC damage from explosives and melee attacks.

• The First Law

Your abilities recharge more quickly while you’re sprinting or sliding.

• Rat Pack

While surrounded by hostiles, your sneak speed is increased.

• Agility -20
• Fall Resistance -50
• Hardware +40
• Heat Capacity +10
• Melee Damage -20

Best Marathon Backpacks

24XS Ammo Pack

Enhanced Backpack

100 Credits

+24 slots to carry more items.

• Stowed ballistic weapons slowly reload their magazine from your inventory. Stowed volt weapons slowly recharge their current battery.

24XS Med Pack

Superior Backpack

1,650 Credits

+24 slots.

• Significantly faster health and shield consumable usage.

24XS Med Pack+

Prestige Backpack

5,000 Credits

+24 slots.

• Significantly faster health and shield consumable usage.
• Health consumables also recharge portion of shields.
• Shield consumables also restore portion of health.

That is a small selection of the best Cores, Implants, and Backpacks from a long list of choices for every Runner Shell in Marathon.

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