Bungie has rolled out Marathon update 1.0.6, a Season 1 mid-season patch that aims to make firefights feel fairer, progression more rewarding, and squad play more meaningful. The update went live on April 14, 2026, and continues the studio’s push to refine the game’s live-service rhythm shortly after launch.
The biggest addition is a new progression feature called the CyberAcme Runner Reinforcement Initiative, better known as C.A.R.R.I. Instead of focusing purely on racking up eliminations, C.A.R.R.I. is designed to reward players for doing what Marathon’s extraction format is built around: completing contracts, surviving tense encounters, and making it out successfully. Whether you queue up solo or drop in with a full squad, the system tracks your run-to-run performance and hands out bonuses tied to your progress and survival, steering the meta away from nonstop aggression and toward more deliberate, goal-driven extractions.
Alongside C.A.R.R.I., Bungie is also testing an experimental mechanic called “Stay Together.” As the name suggests, it nudges squads to remain close during engagements and while moving toward extraction. Players who stick with their team can gain reward and efficiency benefits, while those who split off too early may lose out—an approach that reinforces Marathon’s emphasis on tactical decision-making, coordination, and controlled pushes rather than quick solo plays.
Update 1.0.6 also delivers a broader balance pass meant to steady the combat sandbox after early Season 1 feedback. Bungie is tuning Railgun performance, adjusting SMG damage and recoil behavior, and reworking elements of the Biotoxic Disinjector. The patch also includes general pacing tweaks for mid-range fights, targeting issues that tend to surface when high-mobility builds collide with burst-damage setups.
Progression gets additional attention in the Season 1 mid-season pass as well. Players can expect new unlockable items, refreshed cosmetic tiers, and a stronger connection between seasonal rewards and match performance. With contract-based progression now tied more closely to the C.A.R.R.I. system, the season pass is less about passive playtime and more about what you accomplish each time you deploy.
For now, Bungie hasn’t confirmed whether “Stay Together” is strictly a temporary experiment or the foundation of a permanent feature in future Marathon updates. What’s clear is the intent behind update 1.0.6: encourage smarter runs, improve balance, and make cooperation feel like a real advantage—not just an optional playstyle.
