Marathon Launch Week: Essential Shell Selection for New Runners

**Marathon is live** with 88k peak players and ranked mode launching soon. Here's your shell selection roadmap for surviving your first extractions. **Start with Vandal** Vandal earns A-tier in both solo and squad ranked for good reason. It's forgivable for new Runners while remaining viable at high tiers. Perfect for learning core mechanics without specialist complexity. **Avoid These Common Mistakes** - Don't pick Rook in ranked — it's C-tier across the board - Avoid Triage for solo play (D-tier solo ranking) - Skip Assassin until you master fundamentals (Advanced difficulty, high skill floor) **Ranked Preparation** With ranked launching soon, understand the stakes: dying loses both gear AND rank points. Holotags set your extraction score target, making shell choice critical. **Shell Progression Path** 1. **Vandal**: Learn the game (A/A ranked) 2. **Thief**: Master solo extractions (S-tier solo) 3. **Destroyer**: Dominate squad play (S-tier squad) **Squad Compositions** For ranked squads, pair Destroyer with Triage for maximum effectiveness. Add Recon for intel on rival Holotag carriers — knowing enemy positions becomes invaluable when extraction scores matter. **Key Takeaway** Start with Vandal regardless of your preferred playstyle. It teaches fundamental skills without punishing mistakes. Once comfortable, specialize based on whether you prefer solo extractions (Thief) or squad dominance (Destroyer/Triage). Marathon's launch numbers show strong interest — expect competitive lobbies. Master one shell thoroughly before experimenting.