- Primary Subject: Marathon (2026) – Server Slam / Pre-Launch Version
- Key Update: The Server Slam test is live, offering a "slice" of Tau Ceti IV and a first look at the five playable Runner shells.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: To succeed in the Marathon Server Slam, focus on mastering the complex UI, looting thoroughly during the 20-minute tutorial, and activating Faction contracts for rewards.
The Marathon Server Slam test is now live, allowing players to experience a small slice of Tau Ceti IV before full takeoff on March 5.
Bungie's FPS extraction is highly anticipated, with hundreds of thousands instantly jumping in as soon as the beta servers went online.
I was one of them, and after playing a couple of games, I wanted to share a few tips and tricks I learned along the way, which will hopefully make your time with Marathon as smooth as possible!
Marathon Server Slam Tips & Tricks
Whether you are new to extraction shooters or not, let's just say Marathon does things a little differently and takes some getting used to.
From the menu UI to the gameplay mechanics, there's a lot to take on board right from the get-go, but fret not, here are some useful tips to help you get started.
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Menus
Gamers don't always see eye to eye when it comes to opinions on certain topics, but I think most are in agreement that the menu layout in Marathon is all over the place. When you combine an overload of information with a lack of simplistic controls to get from point A to point B, you are always asking for trouble.
If you're jumping in for the first time, it can get overwhelming very quickly, and the sheer volume of text and imagery on the screen will fry your brain. However, I did find that with a little bit of time and patience, navigating through the menus became clearer.
Main Menus don't always hold any real significance in video games, but they do in Marathon. It's the home of key components like loadouts, character customization, and upgrades, so taking the time to familiarize yourself with each section and how it works is crucial to ensure you're getting the most out of your experience. Notifications will pop up on the screen to give a more detailed overview of what's what, and although it can often be the boring part, it's equally as important to read through them carefully.
2. Adjust the Settings to Your Liking
This might seem like a really obvious thing to say, but adjusting the settings to best suit your needs and preferences early on is always important, especially for extraction shooters.
Thankfully, once you've located the settings menu for controller, audio, video, and so on, tweaking each one is relatively straightforward, and you'll have the opportunity to do this when you jump into a tutorial at the start of the game.
Personally, I always like to feel quick and nimble in first-person shooters, and the default look/aim sensitivity for me on PS5 was initially rather sluggish, so adjusting these is a good first port of call.
3. Make the Most of the Tutorial
As mentioned above, before you're thrown into the real action, Marathon places you in a walkthrough tutorial to showcase how certain mechanics work and what an extraction run could look like.
If I remember correctly, you get just over 20 minutes to follow the guide's instructions and successfully make it to the exfil point. However, and I can't stress this enough, do not rush through it! As long as you keep track of the timer in the top left corner, make sure you carefully take note of how everything works, especially the healing system.
Open every door and loot every box, keeping an eye out for med kits, shield recharges, ammo, and credits, in particular. Everything you pick up and extract with, you keep, and these are some of the most important items that will help get you up and running.
4. Choose the Best Runner Shell for You
During the Server Slam test, you'll be able to try out five of the six Runner shells that will be available in Marathon at launch. Runner shells are Marathons' equivalent to the playable characters and heroes you see in other shooters, each coming with their own set of unique abilities and skillsets.
Once you've gotten past the initial tutorial, you can select any of the five available Runner shells straight away via the main menu. Check out each one and read up on their distinct abilities to see which best suits you and your playstyle. Whether you want to go in with all guns blazing, take a more stealthier approach, or be the ultimate team medic, there's something for everyone.
5. Activate and Complete Contracts/Challenges
Once you've familiarized yourself and become more comfortable navigating through the main menu, be sure to check out the contracts and challenges section within the Factions tab. Completing contracts and challenges will earn you rewards, boosting your inventory and credits balance as a result.
Available contracts will need to be individually activated, while challenges (e.g., killing another runner) can be completed at any time. After finishing a match, be it successfully or unsuccessfully, you'll often notice that some challenges will have been completed without even noticing, so it's always worth keeping track of any redeemable rewards.
Having only played a couple of games myself, that's about it for my tips and tricks for now. If you're planning to jump into the Marathon Server Slam test over the weekend, I'd highly recommend taking all of the above into account to make your time on Tau Ceti IV as enjoyable as possible.
It's different and at times overwhelming, but if you pay attention and remain patient, Marathon has the potential to be a really fun game. Just don't be afraid to use those med kits, because trust me, you'll need them!
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming news, reviews, features, and guides.