The Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, is the Shell you want to use if you want to crash into the enemy and come out the winner. The Destroyer Shell will also let you come out on top when surrounded, if you’re a more defensive player. And if it isn’t clear already, let me make it so: the Destroyer Shell is both the master of offense and defense.
We took a look at the newest Shell, Sentinel, and I realized I haven’t covered the other Shells yet. So, to make up for that discrepancy, I’ll cover the first Shell that all players used in the tutorial at the very beginning of their Marathon journey. And that Shell is the Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer.
The Abilities Of The Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer
A glance at the massive unit that is the Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, tells you the majority of what you need to know about them. They’re powerful, and they’re big enough to absorb hits and protect their crew members. But you can only get so far from a glance, so let’s take a deeper look at Destroyer’s abilities, starting with their prime ability.
Destroyer’s Prime Ability: Search and Destroy
Destroyer unleashes its full offensive, or defensive, depending on how you view it, potential with its prime ability, Search and Destroy. When Search and Destroy is enabled, Destroyer’s shoulder-mounted missile pods get to come and play. And if you’re on the receiving end of Search and Destroy, then count your prayers now.
Destroyer’s shoulder-mounted rocket pods fire homing missiles that damage and Immobilize Destroyer’s targets. These missiles only fire after the Destroyer has consistently damaged an enemy a certain amount, so make sure to hit your shots. Though if you’re on the receiving end of Destroyer’s missiles, make sure to pack a lot of Mechanic’s Kits.
Destroyer’s Tactical Ability: Riot Barricade
The next ability of the Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, is the Riot Barricade. And while this ability feels like it should lean more towards a defensive playstyle, it’s possible to use it offensively to great effect. While it depends on the Runner’s playstyle, the ability to choose one or the other is always there.
The Riot Barricade deploys an arm-mounted energy shield that blocks incoming damage, at the cost of draining tactical ability energy over time. Any damage done to the shield increases the energy drain. Runners can use this shield to either protect their crew members behind them or to push the enemy and close the distance while staying protected.
Destroyer’s Trait Ability: Thruster
The Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, features thrusters all over its body, and this ability makes use of this feature. With Destroyer’s thrusts, Runners can aggressively push any position with a burst of wicked speed, but that comes at a cost. Similar to any quickened movement, Destroyer’s thrusters generate a substantial amount of heat with each use.
However, if you’ve specced into heat capacity, or brought and used a Cardio Kick, then you won’t have to worry about heat too much. If you haven’t, you’d better keep an eye on that heat meter; you wouldn’t want to get caught in the open with no way to escape. But you do have your Riot Barricade to help, so make use of it.
Destroyer’s Trait Ability: Tactical Sprint
If you’d like to use the most sustainable movement ability, then Tactical Sprint is perfect for you. Tactical Sprint allows the Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, to break out into an enhanced sprint thanks to its thrusters. This enhanced sprint allows Destroyer to move faster without costing the heat that the thruster boost does.
Runners can use the Tactical Sprint ability in tandem with the Riot Barricade to close distances while protected. Not only that, but this combo costs much less heat than using the thruster booster, so consider using this instead of the thruster booster. Though if you need to cover distance quickly for a melee, then the thruster booster is a good choice.
Is That All For The Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer?
This guide covers all of the abilities of the Marathon Runner Shell, Destroyer, but it certainly doesn’t cover everything. We haven’t covered the Shell-specific cores that Destroyer has, but I think we should save that for another day. And when that day comes, you’ll know where to look to learn about it.
Until then, I hope you enjoy Season 2 of Marathon to its fullest, and I’m sorry if I caught you on the pointy end of my knife at some point. It’s simply business, after all.
For more information on games and Marathon, stay tuned with us.
