Marathon best weapons are getting a shake-up after update 1.1.9.2. Bungie buffed several precision guns, made KKV-9SD more forgiving and cut the damage of two popular pistols on October 6, 2026.
The reset has emptied players’ Vaults too, so the question isn’t only which gun has the fastest theoretical kill. You’ll also need a loadout you can afford to lose. Here’s every named weapon balance change and what it’s likely to do to your next run.
Marathon best weapons: The guns worth trying after October 6
For Marathon best weapons after the wipe, start with the Repeater HPR, KKV-9SD and Biotoxic Disinjector. The Repeater has a much better magazine and usable range, the KKV is more forgiving when you miss a few headshots, and Biotoxic’s beam has a 0.75-second time-to-kill against a 200-HP Runner on Bungie’s figures. Hardline PR also looks stronger in close and middle ranges, though it has been reworked away from long-distance fights.
Repeater HPR is a clear winner
Its fire rate increased from 85 to 90 RPM and the base magazine from nine to twelve shots. The gun now reloads two rounds at once, with a full empty reload reduced from 6.84 to 5.2 seconds. Base damage falloff starts at 53 metres rather than 37; at maximum range stat, it starts at 102 rather than 82 metres. Hip-fire spread is significantly tighter as well. Bungie quotes 1.33 seconds against 200 HP with optimal hits. Among Marathon best weapons for holding a longer sightline, the Repeater deserves a fresh look.
Hardline PR is easier close-up but lost range
Bungie shortened Hardline’s base falloff start from 74 metres to 39, and the falloff end from 150 to 62.4 metres. Its max-range falloff also begins at 75 metres instead of 119. In exchange, initial hip-fire spread fell about 40%, ADS spread about 44% and ADS movement penalty about 18%. Recoil was redesigned, with the maximum angle offset reduced 64%. Choose it for more mobile precision fights, not as a direct replacement for the Repeater at distance.
Marathon best weapons: Biotoxic Disinjector has serious beam damage
The beam now hits for 16 per tick instead of 13, improving the 200-HP kill time from 0.92 to 0.75 seconds. Bungie calls that the fastest non-shotgun TTK in the game. Its grenade launcher mode works differently too: you fire single semi-auto grenades rather than full-auto volleys of three. Each grenade now costs 50 ammo, reducing a magazine’s theoretical grenade count from 81 to 20. For Marathon best weapons in tight areas, the beam is threatening if you can keep it on a moving target.
KKV-9SD rewards imperfect aim
Base damage rose from 9 to 10.5, with the precision bonus falling from 1.29 to 1.1. Optimal 200-HP TTK stays at 0.85 seconds, but you now need eleven critical hits to reach that result instead of fifteen. That’s a meaningful forgiveness buff during scrappy fights where every bullet isn’t landing on the head. The KKV could feel steadier in real matches even though its headline TTK is unchanged. Test it with the mods you can actually afford after the reset.
D54 Battle Pistol and Magnum MC took hits
D54 base damage fell from 16 to 14, moving its 200-HP TTK from 0.97 to 1.1 seconds. Its Daredevil Prestige Stock also lost an unintended 15% damage bonus, removing the old one-hit knockout against some shields. The Magnum MC dropped from 41 to 35 base damage, and its optimal TTK against 200 HP is now 1.3 seconds instead of 0.87. Neither gun is automatically worthless, but older Marathon best weapons lists that ranked them by their previous burst damage are out of date.
V66 Lookout, Twin Tap and DRRVSH changes
V66 Lookout’s Sonar Shot Prestige mod now pulses on any down or elimination, without needing the finish to be a precision hit. The base Twin Tap HBR returns to its slower, punchier burst cadence; the Prestige Twin Tap is unchanged. DRRVSH Prestige Unique now carries a minus-70 range penalty, reducing the range before falloff from 39 metres to 25. When comparing Marathon best weapons, check the exact mod or variant before treating one of these changes as a blanket buff or nerf.
Marathon best weapons: CE Tactical Sidearm and other mods
CE Tactical Sidearm gained 10% more aim-assist and magnetism falloff range. Initial hip-fire spread dropped around 70% and final spread by 17%. The Hourglass chip now signals clearly when its perk switches back on at full health and shields; it isn’t disabled for the whole match after taking damage. SLIP Protocol’s benefits linger for one second after you stop moving. These changes don’t transform an ordinary sidearm into an automatic top pick, but they make specific loadouts easier to use.
Recon and invisibility change the fight
Recon’s Echo Pulse is now a forward-facing cone, so you have to aim towards the threat rather than scanning the entire room. The first hit staggers non-Runner enemies and interrupts some combat abilities. Invisibility begins flickering when its owner fires back after 0.2 seconds, rather than 0.9, making invisible opponents less punishing to return fire against. Destroyer gets protection against accidentally deactivating Riot Barricade, and Rook no longer starts with flares. Your shell can change which gun works best in practice.
Marathon best weapons for different situations
For mid-to-long lanes, Repeater HPR is the clearest beneficiary of this patch. In close quarters with reliable tracking, Biotoxic’s beam is exceptionally dangerous. KKV-9SD is worth testing if you prefer an automatic weapon that doesn’t demand perfect precision. Hardline PR makes sense for faster mid-range fights, while anyone still using Magnum or D54 should pay attention to the slower kill times. These are recommendations from the published numbers, not a claim that every duel has already been tested.
What to equip during Nightfall Refresh
Rebuilding after the October 6 wipe changes what you’ll actually carry into a match. A slightly weaker gun with enough ammo, armour and healing is more useful than an expensive Biotoxic purchase that leaves you broke after one death. Sponsored Queues are available Thursday through Monday, so use those sessions to learn recoil and ranges without constantly risking your best kit. Marathon best weapons will keep shifting as players try the balance patch, but the exact changes above are already confirmed by Bungie.
Related Guides
Official source: Marathon Update 1.1.9.2 patch notes from Bungie.
