Marathon Update 1.0.0.4: Thermal Scope Nerf, New Contracts, and Major Fixes in the March Patch

The Marathon update 1.0.0.4 is now live for Marathon, introducing balance adjustments, new contracts, and several bug fixes. The March update for Marathon brings adjustments to combat balance and resource distribution while enhancing overall system stability. The latest updates for Marathon will introduce modifications that impact weapon performance and Player versus Environment combat and extraction missions.

Major Changes and Meta Impact

The thermal scope rebalance in the Marathon update 1.0.0.4 establishes new limits for thermal scope performance at extended distances. The system now displays fewer visible targets while determining distance to present obstacles at maximum ranges.

New thermal highlight ranges:

• Pistols – 40m (55m before)
• Rifles / SMGs / LMGs – 60m (65m before)
• Precision rifles – 80m (100m before)
• Snipers – 100m (180m before)

The Perimeter zone now provides enhanced access to resources. The update increases the spawn rate of Med Cabinets and Munitions Crates, while free Sponsored Kits from MIDA, CyberAcme, and Arachne now start with more ammo. The UESC Grenadiers show a decrease in their EMP grenade drop rate.

The game designers made minor adjustments to enemy strength in order to decrease the resource costs that players incur during battles.

• Most UESC enemies now have reduced health.
• The shield HP of UESC bosses has been decreased.

The Runner Rook character received multiple updates which improved its gameplay experience and introduced new features.

• The system now prevents backpacks from disappearing during exfil missions.
• Fixed Rook absent from the map. Amplified
• CyberAc's reputation gains upon extraction.
• Same faction reputation bonus as solo players. The
• WSTR shotgun is now spawned as Compromised. Matter Fixative is required for the repair.

Contracts were also extended with NuCaloric and Traxus, and the UESC Commander's encounter difficulty was lowered.

For more free cosmetics, check out the **Marathon launch event rewards in our guide on Marathon Launch Twitch Drops: How to Get Every Free Reward.

Other Changes

Besides, the Marathon's new update brings a bunch of minor changes in gameplay and technical fixes.

Gameplay changes:

• Louder gunshoot and explosion sounds can be heard from farther away.
• The bug causing instant death in confinement events has been fixed.
• The bug of the shield break effect continuously playing has been fixed.
• Overrun weapon has +5 starting ammo capacity now.
• Objective markers now appear at 20m instead of 10m.
• Fixed an issue where enemy crews could hear NuCal contract audio from a very long distance.

Other updates

• The Broken Wing entrance to Pinwheel on Outpost has been disabled temporarily.
• Fixed the Silk balance update problem and bundle price display errors.
• Fixed cosmetics that incorrectly showed Savings.
• LUX bundle increase is from 1000 + 100 to 1000 + 120.

Technical fixes include server and client crash fixes, intro mission door lock fixes, IME keyboard improvements, an updated Perimeter description, and removal of the extended black screen during map loading. You can also check out our guide on Arknights: Endfield Twitch Drops to learn how to claim all the rewards during the March 2026 event.