The studio responded to numerous player complaints.
Bungie has released update 1.0.5.3 for its extraction shooter Marathon — the patch is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The main change in the update is a significant weakening of the knife — one of the most effective tools in close combat. Previously, players quickly discovered that in close encounters, the knife often allows you to eliminate an opponent faster than firearms, and with the right build, its damage became excessively high. This led to the formation of a meta in which the knife was preferable to assault rifles and submachine guns.
Now the situation is changing: the maximum lunge distance when attacking with a knife has been reduced by 10%, and the bonus damage from melee characteristics has been reduced from 100% to 50% against enemy runners. At the same time, damage to KVA bots remained unchanged.
Bungie emphasized that melee combat was conceived as a risky but powerful tool, but players too quickly reached maximum efficiency without the need for deep leveling. The developers want to maintain the power of the knife, but make its use more dependent on a well-thought-out build and play style.
In addition, changes have affected other equipment. The force field generator received a decrease in durability — now it is easier to destroy, but it lost its previous vulnerability to energy weapons and became much more resistant to damage from KVA bots.
