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- Primary Subject: Marathon
- Key Update: DBNO allows players to survive briefly after reaching zero health, giving teammates a chance to revive them
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: DBNO in Marathon means “Down But Not Out.” When health reaches zero, players become incapacitated but can still be revived by teammates before the timer expires.
When playing Marathon, players will quickly notice that the game uses many abbreviations and gameplay terms related to combat, gear effects, and character states.
One of the most common mechanics you may see referenced on items or during firefights is DBNO.
Understanding how this system works is important because it can determine whether your run ends immediately or if you still have a chance to survive and escape.
What Does DBNO Mean in Marathon?
DBNO stands for “Down But Not Out,” which in Marathon refers to the state a player enters when their health reaches zero but they have not yet been fully eliminated from the match.
Instead of dying instantly when their health reaches zero, the player collapses to the ground and becomes incapacitated.
At this point, they are still technically alive, but they can no longer fight or defend themselves effectively. While in the DBNO state, the player can slowly crawl across the ground but cannot use weapons or perform most actions. This period acts as a short grace window that gives players a chance to recover if help arrives.
However, the player remains extremely vulnerable during this time, and enemies can easily finish them off if they approach and deliver the final blow.
Once a player is downed, a timer begins to count down. In most situations, the DBNO state lasts roughly 30 seconds if the player is left alone.
During this time, the downed player can crawl around the area while a circular meter gradually drains. If the timer fully runs out without the player being revived or rescued, they will be eliminated and removed from the match.
Even though the player cannot fight back, the ability to crawl allows them to reposition slightly. This can sometimes help them move toward cover, hide from enemies, or get closer to teammates who might be able to revive them.
How Do You Revive Teammates in Marathon?
If you are playing in a squad, teammates can revive you while you are in the DBNO state by interacting with your downed character for a short period of time.
The revive process usually takes about ten seconds, after which the downed player will stand back up and return to the fight. However, a revived player does not return at full strength.
After getting back on their feet, they will typically have very low health and no shields, which means they are still vulnerable if enemies are nearby.
For this reason, revives are often carried out behind cover or after enemies have been driven back. Some abilities in Marathon can also revive downed teammates more quickly.
For example, certain support-focused shells like Triage have abilities that can instantly bring a teammate back if the ability connects properly.
If the ability’s shock wires connect to the downed player, the revive happens instantly instead of using the normal revive timer.
These abilities can be extremely valuable in high-pressure situations where waiting several seconds for a normal revive might be too risky.
Players are not always dependent on teammates to recover from the DBNO state. If you are carrying a Self-Revive Kit, you can bring yourself back without any assistance.
These items are usually blue-rarity gear, which makes them more valuable than many other items you may encounter during a run.
Can You Extract While DBNO in Marathon?
Since Marathon is an extraction shooter, the main goal is to survive long enough to escape the map with your loot.
Interestingly, the DBNO mechanic can sometimes still allow a player to escape even while downed.
If a player manages to crawl into an extraction zone before their DBNO timer expires, they may still successfully extract as long as they are not fully eliminated before the extraction transfer countdown completes.
This means that even when things look hopeless, reaching an exfil point while downed can occasionally save the run.
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