If you are having a hard time in Marathon and want to select one of the easiest classes, Destroyer might be the one to pick up. This Runner Shell has a mix of abilities that will let you move better on every map and also demolish your enemies, whether they are UESC units or other Runners.
However, the fact that this class is approachable doesn’t make it simple to use. This isn’t an easy extraction shooter after all. Let’s go over the best builds for the Destroyer, what each ability does, and how you should play with this Runner Shell in Marathon.
Destroyer Overview
Destroyer is a balanced class that gives you a good chunk of defensive and offensive options. For example, their Tactical Ability, Riot Barricade, lets you block damage from someone shooting at you. You have to mix this one with your ability to thrust while in the air, in this way:
- Run toward an enemy while using Riot Barricade, wait for them to waste their charger and start reloading, and then jump and use Thruster to one side to mess with your position and make it harder for them to shoot you. It’s a winning strategy for taking down enemies in one vs one scenarios.
Take advantage of how much faster the Destroyer can run, both to escape from enemies or to pursue them. Just keep an eye on your Heat gauge, because you’ll be in trouble if you get overheated while in a fight.
Destroyer’s Prime Ability is excellent for dealing significant damage against enemies, and you should be able to take one or two with a bit of luck and good positioning.
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Destroyer Abilities
|
Ability |
Type |
What It Does |
Base Cooldown/Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Search and Destroy |
Prime |
Activates shoulder-mounted missile pods that deal damage and immobilize targets that you’re shooting with your primary or secondary weapon. |
|
|
Riot Barricade |
Tactical |
Activates an energy shield that blocks all incoming damage. It consumes its own energy as it’s activated, and if it receives damage, it consumes more. |
|
|
Thruster |
Trait |
It uses boosters to thrust you in a direction while you are in the air. It increases Heat each time you use it. |
Basically no cooldown, it’s available once you touch the ground. Be mindful of your Heat, though. |
|
Tactical Sprint |
Trait |
Press Sprint twice and you’ll move faster. It builds your Heat gauge. |
Idem Thruster. |
Best Destroyer Loadouts
We have prepared two basic builds for the Destroyer. The first one is for when you have a few hours in the game and can already find a few basic weapons, and the other is for later, when you already have a really expensive vault.
Thanks to their abilities, you can go with every type of weapon, the one that suits you the most. We would recommend mixing something close-quarters and mid-range, such as a shotgun and an assault rifle. But again, you can really go wrong as long as you play aggressively with your Prime Ability when available, and find the best ways to use your Riot Barricade.
Depending on how far you’re into the game and how your vault is looking, you should always go out with at least three shields and health regens.
Best Early Game Destroyer Build
|
Primary Weapon |
Bully SMG |
|---|---|
|
Secondary Weapon |
Magnum MC |
|
Backpack |
Best Available |
|
Shield |
Best Available |
|
Equipment |
Ammo Crate |
|
Cores |
Core Slot 1: Bombardier. (Defeating hostiles while your Search and Destroy is active extends its duration.) Core Slot 2: Heavy Ordnance. (Defeating hostiles with explosive damage reduces the cooldown of your next Search and Destroy.) |
|
Implants |
Head Implant: Regen V2. (Slightly decrease weapon handling and aim down sights speed.) Torso Implant: Survival Kit V2. (Increases Firewall, Hardware, Ping Duration, Revive Speed, Self Repair Speed.) Legs Implant: Solid Stance V2. (Moves and ready weapons faster after using a Shield Charge.) |
These Implants and Cores aren’t that hard to find. The two Cores are perfect for using your Prime Ability as long as possible, and then having it back sooner. The Implants focus on moving a bit faster and having a better reaction with your guns.
Best Late Game Destroyer Build
|
Primary Weapon |
Impact HAR |
|---|---|
|
Secondary Weapon |
WSTR Combat Shotgun |
|
Backpack |
Best Available |
|
Shield |
Best Available |
|
Equipment |
Bubble Shield |
|
Cores |
Core Slot 1: Counter Attack. (When Riot Barricade takes damage, you periodically release a retaliatory missile at your attacker.) Core Slot 2: Bullrush. (Your Riot Barricade does not passively drain energy while you perform your Tactical Sprint.) |
|
Implants |
Head Implant: Regen V4. (A vast improvement from V2.) Torso Implant: Helping Hands V4. (Snapshot Rifling + Haptic Feedback + better Firewall and Primer Recovery.) Legs Implant: Graceful Landings V4. (More defense from melee attacks and explosives + better sprint and more Tactical Ability energy after defeating an enemy.) |
With this build and Cores, you need to be aggressive and eat your rivals like they are nothing. Your Riot Barricade becomes a defensive and offensive nightmare.
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