Bungie has shared a much clearer picture of what Marathon players can expect from the October Nightfall Refresh, including the new NuCaloric Reward Pass, returning Sponsored Queues, multiple PvE-focused activities, Cryo Archive changes, CARRI progression, and more.
The Nightfall Refresh begins on October 6, 2026, resetting progression and the in-game economy so players can start again from the same point. Bungie previously confirmed that the refresh will also introduce quality-of-life improvements, balance adjustments, and changes aimed at creating a healthier progression experience.
In brief:
- The NuCaloric Reward Pass will be free for Marathon owners and will not expire.
- Sponsored Queues will return every weekend with Perimeter, Marsh, and Night Marsh rotations.
- Vault Breaker and Sponsored Survival will provide more PvE-focused ways to play before permanent PvE arrives.
- Ranked will not be available during the Nightfall Refresh.
Free NuCaloric Reward Pass Will Not Expire
According to Marathon Game Director Del Chafe III, the Nightfall Refresh will introduce a new NuCaloric Reward Pass at no additional cost for everyone who owns Marathon.
Perhaps more importantly, the pass will not be time-limited. Players can work through its rewards at their own pace instead of worrying about completing everything before a seasonal deadline.
The pass will feature new Shell cosmetics, with Chafe teasing that the development team has taken some of the designs in unexpected directions.
Sponsored Queues Return Every Weekend
Bungie is also bringing back its Sponsored Kit-only Extraction queues throughout the Nightfall Refresh.
These queues will run from Thursday through Monday every weekend, using a repeating three-week rotation:
- Week 1: Sponsored Perimeter
- Week 2: Sponsored Marsh
- Week 3: Sponsored Night Marsh
The rotation will then repeat until the Symbiosis update arrives.
Regular Extraction will remain available in the corresponding zones, so Sponsored Queues are being offered as an alternative rather than replacing the standard experience.
Bungie says these queues have helped provide a more even starting point since everyone enters using Sponsored Kits.
Vault Breaker and Sponsored Survival Bring More PvE Options
October will also give PvE-focused players considerably more to do.
Vault Breaker returns during Weeks 3 through 5. The experimental mode previously let players tackle increasingly difficult PvE encounters within Cryo Archive while progressing through its own system.
Starting in Week 6, Sponsored Survival will begin rotating weekly through:
- Perimeter
- Day Marsh
- Night Marsh
- Outpost
Sponsored Survival uses Sponsored Kits and focuses heavily on PvE while still allowing Rooks to enter the map. Bungie previously described the mode as a lower-risk, PvP-lite alternative to traditional Marathon runs.
However, these October activities should not be confused with Marathon’s permanent PvE mode. Bungie’s first permanent PvE experience is still scheduled to arrive with Symbiosis on December 8.
Cryo Archive Will Be Available Longer
Cryo Archive will return every week beginning Thursday, October 15.
Bungie is also extending its weekly availability by another 24 hours, meaning Cryo Archive will now remain available throughout Sunday as well.
So, that should give players considerably more time each week to organize crews and attempt Cryo runs.
Enhanced Sponsored Kits and CARRI Are Coming Back
Starting in Week 5, Bungie will increase the baseline gear level by introducing Enhanced Sponsored Kits, which will remain in place through the launch of Symbiosis.
The studio says the change follows feedback from players who enjoyed having the minimum Sponsored Kit quality increase after several weeks of progression.
CARRI will also return in Week 3, with the October calendar showing its progression continuing through multiple phases during the refresh.
Ranked Will Not Return in October
One notable omission from the Nightfall Refresh is Ranked.
Bungie says Ranked will remain unavailable while the team works on changes designed to make the competitive experience more rewarding and exciting. Rather than bringing the existing version back unchanged, the developers will continue working on its future direction.
There is currently no confirmed date for Ranked’s return.
Nightfall Refresh Sets Up Marathon’s December Symbiosis Update
The October refresh ultimately acts as a bridge toward the much larger Symbiosis update on December 8.
Bungie has already confirmed that Symbiosis will bring Marathon’s first permanent PvE experience alongside a refreshed Perimeter, a new Runner Shell, a social space and firing range, an experimental Team Deathmatch mode, and improvements for new players.
Until then, Nightfall Refresh looks designed to keep Marathon’s weekly experience changing regularly while Bungie experiments with more ways for players to experience Tau Ceti IV.
