Community Split on WSTR Buff as Player Count Concerns Dominate Discussion

Update 1.0.6.2 buffed the WSTR Combat ShotgunShotgun from 78 to 85 damage, and the community response tells two different stories. Long-time players on Steam are cautiously optimistic — "finally feels like a real shotgun again" writes one 190-hour reviewer. But Reddit's reaction is more measured. The weapon that dominated early Marathon before getting hammered by nerfs is back, and players remember why it was problematic.

Steam reviewers with 100+ hours are mostly positive about the change. "Gun felt like shooting marshmallows before," noted a 176-hour player. But shorter-session reviewers are already complaining about getting "deleted by WSTR users in CQB." The divide isn't just about playtime — it's about whether you remember pre-nerf WSTR dominance or you're encountering buffed shotguns for the first time.

Reddit's obsession this week isn't weapon balance — it's survival. Multiple LFG megathreads dominate r/MarathonTheGame, with posts from groups desperately seeking consistent teammates. "Me and my buddy are getting tired of crew filling," writes u/enbywine, echoing a sentiment that's everywhere right now. The abundance of LFG posts isn't celebrating the game's social aspects. It's revealing how hard it's become to find reliable squads.

Steam's concurrent player numbers are the elephant in the room. Recent reports show daily peaks dropping below 20,000 players for the first time. One negative Steam reviewer captured the mood: "8,000 players and the game isnt even 3 moths old. crazy to see a game die so fast." The spelling errors don't diminish the sting — especially when positive reviewers aren't disputing the numbers, just hoping they turn around.

The new C.A.R.R.I. protocol requires Runner Level 25 and all six factions unlocked just to access Cryo Archive. That's a massive time investment, and the community is split on whether it's gatekeeping or quality control. "Need Sherpa for Crio," posted u/Emotional_Slide_3881, a 33-year-old dad who described the endgame as "mount Everest." His desperation is palpable: "I am so Desperate i woud even pay for it."

But veteran players defend the requirements. Steam reviews from 100+ hour players consistently praise Cryo Archive as "compelling end-game" and "worth the grind." The tension is obvious — casual players feel locked out while committed players want protection from unprepared teammates. Neither side is wrong, but the divide is growing wider as player count concerns mount.