The Marathon Runner Shell, Rook, is the last in our list of Runner Shell guides, and also the most unique. The Rook Shell doesn’t operate like other Runner Shells; in fact, it’s in a separate category from the other Shells. But how is it so, and what does the Rook Shell provide that differs from the other Shells?
Many players who are familiar with other extract shooters may recognize the purpose of the Marathon Runner Shell, Rook. Games such as Escape from Tarkov and Arena Breakout have a mechanic similar to the Rook Shell, so many of you may already know where I’m going with this guide. But for those who don’t, let me catch you up to speed.
The Abilities Of The Marathon Runner Shell, Rook
The Marathon Runner Shell, Rook, functions similarly to the “scav run” mechanics of EFT and Arena Breakout. When playing as Rook, you get a barebones kit that you use to enter a trios match to gather loot. You may notice I didn’t mention completing contracts, and that’s because you aren’t allowed to complete contracts while playing as Rook.
As a Rook, you aren’t playing to complete objectives; you’re playing to gather loot and kill to gather the loot if necessary. And if you’re worried that your barebones kit is too weak, then level up the milestones from the various factions to compensate. Each level four milestone from each faction provides different upgrades to a Rook’s kit.
The abilities of the Marathon Runner Shell, Rook, are few in number, so I’ll include the faction milestone upgrades in this guide. But don’t think that means the abilities of Rook are useless; they’ll help you in more ways than you think they can. Now, let’s begin this guide with Rook’s prime ability, Recuperation.
Rook’s Prime Ability: Recuperation
Rook’s prime ability activates their prototype frame’s emergency repair system, which slowly heals your health. This ability gives you free heals when you run out of healing items, but this healing gets interrupted when you take any damage. So make sure that you’re in a safe place when activating this ability, or else you’ll have to wait for its cooldown.
Rook’s Tactical Ability: Signal Mask
Signal Mask is what’s going to assist you in looting the most as you play the Marathon Runner Shell, Rook. This ability activates a temporary holodisplay mask to deceive UESC units, allowing you to walk amongst them. But make sure not to run or jump, take damage, melee or shoot, or bump into any UESC units, as this temporarily disrupts your disguise.
Rook’s Faction Milestone Upgrades
While the kit of the Marathon Runner Shell, Rook, may seem bare at first, you can upgrade Rook’s starting kit with the various factions. These upgrades come when you reach milestone four for each faction, and each upgrade affects different attributes of Rook’s kit. Once you upgrade Rook, you may be able to compete with the trio teams you match up with.
The faction milestones and what they provide for Rook are as follows:
- CyberAcme: Rook will now begin their runs with a deluxe (blue) backpack alongside their basic gear
- NuCaloric: Rook will now begin their runs with standard (patch kits and shield charges
- Traxus: Rook will now begin their runs with an enhanced (green) weapon
- Mida: Rook will now begin their runs with a heat grenade
- Arachne: Rook will now begin their runs with implants
- Sekiguchi: Rook will now begin their runs with cores
Is That All For The Marathon Runner Shell, Rook?
That is indeed all for the Marathon Runner Shell, Rook, and I won’t say that there are Shell-specific cores this time, as there aren’t any. But with the final Runner Shell covered, I’ll cover the Shell-Specific cores of Marathon next. So if you want to learn about those, then stick around for my next Marathon article.
Until then, Season 2 is still in action, so get in there so you don’t fall behind!
For more information on games and Marathon, stay tuned with us.
