Essential Shell Tier List for Marathon Ranked Mode Launch

Thief - Stealth dominates solo ranked with S-tier performance. Built for Holotag extraction with Light Carry passive reducing loot penalties and drone stealing capabilities. Pairs perfectly with ranked's extraction-focused scoring.

Triage - Support and Destroyer - Combat both earn S-tier in squad ranked. Triage's Med Surge keeps teams alive for consistent extractions, while Destroyer's Force Slam forces Holotag drops from enemies—crucial for ranked point gains.

Vandal - Combat remains the best starting ranked shell with A-tier performance in both solo and squad modes. Double Jump provides escape options when Holotag runs go wrong. Recon - Intel earns A-tier in squads by spotting rival Holotag carriers with Tracker Drone.

Rook - Flex sits at C-tier but serves as the perfect ranked learning platform. Overclock and Adaptive Frame provide forgiving gameplay while you develop map knowledge and extraction routes.

Assassin - Stealth demands high skill with its 100 health pool—one mistake costs gear AND rank points. Only attempt after mastering other shells.

Prioritize shells that complement your Holotag target. Higher targets require extraction specialists like Thief. Lower targets benefit from combat shells like Destroyer that can secure kills for points. Squad compositions should always include Triage for sustain—ranked matches punish early deaths heavily.