Bungie has released Marathon Update 1.0.6.2, and while this is not a massive content drop, it does bring some important balance tuning, economy improvements, Cryo Archive changes, and bug fixes.
The headline change is clearly the WSTR Combat Shotgun update, which gets a damage buff but also receives some critical hit and projectile adjustments that should change how the weapon feels in actual runs.
Marathon Update 1.0.6.2 Adds a Free Weekly Sponsored Kit
One of the most player-friendly changes in Marathon Update 1.0.6.2 is tied to the item economy. Bungie has confirmed that players can now claim one free Cryo Archive Sponsored Kit each week. That is a useful addition for players who regularly jump into Cryo Archive and want a bit more help getting started without burning through their own stash every time.
Bungie also fixed an issue where Rooks were not spawning with the updated six Depleted Shield Charges and Depleted Patch Kits that sponsored kits are now supposed to include. It is not the flashiest fix in the world, but in an extraction shooter like Marathon, starting gear matters. A missing item or incorrect kit setup can easily change how confident a squad feels going into a run.
WSTR Combat Shotgun Gets a Major Damage Buff
The biggest combat change in Marathon Update 1.0.6.2 is for the WSTR Combat Shotgun. Bungie increased its base damage from 78 to 85, giving the weapon a stronger punch in close-range fights. That should make it feel more reliable when players are using it as an aggressive entry weapon or trying to quickly shut down enemies in tight spaces.
However, this is not a simple straight buff. Bungie also reduced the WSTR Combat Shotgun’s critical multiplier from 1.15x to 1.05x. So while body damage is going up, the weapon is getting less reward from critical hits. In practice, that makes the shotgun feel more consistent overall, but slightly less explosive when landing precision damage.
WSTR Combat Shotgun Gets Better Damage Falloff and AI Damage
The WSTR Combat Shotgun also received a slight reduction to the rate at which its damage falls off. That means it should hold onto more of its damage at range compared to before, even if players should still treat it like a close-range weapon first.
The more interesting PvE change is the new 75% damage bonus against AI targets. That is a huge adjustment for players who use the WSTR Combat Shotgun during runs where AI pressure becomes a real problem. It should now feel much better when clearing enemies, holding tight corridors, or surviving chaotic moments where both AI and enemy Runners are part of the fight.
MIPS Slug Converter Prestige Mod Gets Reworked
The MIPS Slug Converter Prestige mod also received several changes in this patch. Bungie fixed an issue where the slug could hit nearby geometry when aiming around corners, vents, ladders, or cover. That kind of fix is especially important for a slug-based mod because the whole point is precision and consistency. Nobody wants a shot to disappear into a wall just because the angle is slightly awkward.
The mod’s critical multiplier has also been increased from 1.15x to 1.9x, which is a major precision damage buff. At the same time, Bungie reduced projectile velocity, increased bullet drop, and reduced the aim assist cone radius by 48%. So this version of the mod seems to be much more skill-based. If players can land their shots, the payoff should be better, but it will be harder to use casually.
Is the WSTR Combat Shotgun Buffed or Nerfed?
The WSTR Combat Shotgun changes are a mix of both, but overall, this looks more like a buff to the base weapon and a skill check adjustment for the slug build. The regular shotgun gets more damage, better falloff behavior, and a big bonus against AI. That should make it stronger and more practical in most runs.
The slug converter, though, is a little more complicated. Its critical damage potential is much higher now, but the reduced projectile speed, increased bullet drop, and smaller aim assist cone mean players will need better aim and better spacing to get full value from it. In short, the shotgun is easier to justify, while the slug mod is stronger in the right hands but less forgiving.
Cryo Archive Receives More Security and Map Flow Changes
Cryo Archive also received a map flow adjustment in Update 1.0.6.2. Bungie added vent covers in Biostock and Preservation to prevent early access from the hub until security clearance 2 is unlocked. Players who infil on the Biostock or Preservation side will need security clearance 1 to open the vents.
According to Bungie, this continues the studio’s effort to stop teams from bypassing security doors between wings without the proper clearance. That is a pretty important fairness change because spawn flow, early access routes, and wing separation can have a big impact on how balanced a run feels.
Scan Terminals and Contract Fixes
Bungie also fixed a Cryo Archive issue where scan terminals were not reliably revealing battery locations on the map. That is the kind of bug that can quietly waste a lot of time during a run, especially for squads trying to move efficiently and avoid unnecessary risk.
There is also a contract fix for Outpost. Bungie fixed an issue that could cause Runners to get stuck behind barriers in the Drone Wing while completing the Mida Truth/Lies 2/6 contract. Getting stuck during a contract is always frustrating, so this should make that objective smoother for players still working through it.
UI and Quality of Life Fixes
Marathon Update 1.0.6.2 includes a few useful interface fixes as well. Bungie fixed an issue where the reinforced shield was using the wrong base shield icon, and the reinforced icon now correctly shows a plus symbol inside the shield. The Armory HUD should also no longer disappear when hovering over offered items.
Another fix removes an empty space that was showing instead of a grid in the Overflow inventory screen. These are small changes, but they matter in a game where players are constantly reading loot, checking inventory, and making quick decisions between runs.
Voice Chat, Stability, and Localization Fixes
Bungie fixed an issue causing inconsistencies with the push-to-talk toggle setting for crew voice chat on controllers. That should help controller players who rely on voice chat during squad runs.
The update also includes a stability fix for an issue that could give players an error and stop them from joining the game when starting a run. On the localization side, Bungie fixed a problem where the C.A.R.R.I. commendation description was displaying incorrectly in some languages.
Beyond weapon tuning, the free weekly Cryo Archive Sponsored Kit is a nice economy improvement, while the Cryo Archive vent changes should make early run flow fairer. Add in the UI fixes, contract fixes, voice chat cleanup, and stability improvements, and this patch feels like a solid maintenance update that quietly improves the game where it needed it most.
