Cairn Play as Marco becomes possible with the October 29, 2026 update. Marco has longer reach and stronger arms than Aava, but he is shorter and less flexible, so familiar climbing routes may need a different approach.
Marco is playable in Deep Water at Haken, Ruka and Lamu, and on Mount Kami through the separate Free Roam update. Here’s how to access the relevant content and how his movement differs from Aava’s.
When Can You Play as Marco?
Marco becomes playable in the October 29 update and free On the Trail: Deep Water expansion. Previously, players met him during Aava’s climb. The new content allows you to take control of him on new climbing problems and revisit older terrain.
The official Steam DLC listing says players can climb as Aava or Marco in Deep Water and on Mount Kami through Free Roam. That is a confirmed playable role rather than a character costume or an alternate dialogue scene.
How to Select Marco
Install the latest Cairn update and, for the new locations, add the free On the Trail: Deep Water DLC from your platform store. The Game Bakers has said Marco is available in that content and in the separate Free Roam update.
Install Cairn’s October 29 update, then open either Deep Water or Free Roam. Both let you climb as Marco. Deep Water has Haken, Ruka and Lamu, while Free Roam lets you try Cairn Play as Marco on Mount Kami.
Cairn Play as Marco: How Marco Climbs Differently
Cairn Play as Marco introduces a different body shape and climbing style. The developer says Marco is shorter and less flexible than Aava, but he has stronger arms and compensates with greater reach. Those characteristics affect which grips and body positions suit him.
A line with several deep bends may feel easier with Aava, while a reach between distant holds may suit Marco. It’s worth reading the wall again rather than assuming the sequence you used with Aava will translate perfectly.
Marco’s Climbot: What’s Different?
The Game Bakers also describes Marco’s robot as a newer Climbot model. It accompanies his distinct climbing kit and helps establish that you’re not controlling an identical version of Aava.
The newer Climbot is part of Marco’s equipment, but the main gameplay differences are his stronger arms, longer reach and lower flexibility. Compare both climbers on the same wall instead of assuming the Climbot automatically gives extra pitons.
Cairn Play as Marco: Where to Practise with Marco
The Lamu climbing gym is an obvious place to learn the feel of his movement. Its new indoor problems let you concentrate on positioning and movement without committing to a lengthy expedition. Haken and Ruka also allow overwater climbing where falls are not normally fatal.
Mount Kami in Free Roam is ideal if you know Aava’s routes already. Choose a familiar wall and use it to compare how far each climber can reach, which poses feel comfortable and when you need to move a foot first.
Marco and the Limited Energy System
Cairn Play as Marco also lets you tackle Deep Water’s new energy-limited climbs. Effort and mistakes drain the allowance, so an awkward move carries a cost beyond a possible fall. His reach and strength may change which line you prefer, but it doesn’t remove that rule.
For an energy-limited climb, choose positions that suit Marco’s reach and strength. The Cairn Play as Marco challenge is learning where a steadier foot placement can save effort compared with a long, awkward pull.
Can Marco Replace Aava in Story Mode?
Cairn Play as Marco is confirmed for Deep Water and Free Roam. The original Cairn campaign still centres on Aava’s ascent of Mount Kami, and the update has not been described as a complete rewrite of that story with a different protagonist.
If you want his movements on an existing mountain route, choose Free Roam. If you want new coastal climbing problems, choose Deep Water. Both are included in the October 29 release programme.
Official game: The Game Bakers, Cairn.
