How To Get Marathon Playtest Rewards

Bungie's pre-launch event for Marathon, the Server Slam, provides players with a chance to earn a significant head start. This guide covers the complete list of Marathon Server Slam rewards. By participating in the free playtest weekend, players can unlock exclusive cosmetic items and caches of in-game gear that will be waiting for them when the full game releases on March 5. Progression during the event is key, with different tiers of loot available for reaching specific Runner Levels.

The rewards range from standard starting equipment to deluxe-tier items, ensuring that time spent in the playtest is well compensated. Simply playing the game and hitting milestones will automatically bank these bonuses for your account.

Marathon Playtest Start Date

The Marathon Server Slam is an open-preview weekend available to all players on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. As we reported earlier, it begins on February 26 at 10 a.m. PT and runs until March 2 at 10 a.m. PT. No pre-order or special sign-up is required to download and play the event build.

How To Get Server Slam Rewards

Earning rewards requires active participation in the Server Slam event. Simply download the client from your chosen storefront and play the game.

The rewards are tied to progression milestones achieved during the playtest weekend. The first reward is granted for simply completing the introductory mission. More substantial rewards, in the form of tiered "Arrival Caches," are unlocked by increasing your Runner Level. Reaching levels 10 and 30 will grant you caches containing progressively better implants, weapon mods, and weapons for the full game. All earned rewards will be delivered to your in-game mailbox at the official launch on March 5.

Marathon Server Slam Rewards Complete List

All players who join the Server Slam and complete the game's introductory mission will receive cosmetic items exclusive to the event. These items mark your account as having been part of the initial wave of Runners.

• Beta.exe emblem (unique emblem for your player profile)
• Complex Study player background (distinct background for your profile)

Completing your first mission during the playtest unlocks the Standard Arrival Cache. This cache provides a baseline set of gear to start with at launch.

• Standard implants (6x)
• Standard Runner shell cores (4x)
• Standard weapon chip mods (6x)
• Weapons: Overrun and Hardline

Reaching Runner Level 10 unlocks the Enhanced Arrival Cache, a green-tiered reward. This cache offers a significant upgrade over the standard-issue equipment.

• Enhanced implants (6x)
• Enhanced Runner shell cores (2x for each shell, 12x total)
• Enhanced weapon chip mods (4x)
• Weapons: Enhanced Magnum and Enhanced Hardline

The highest tier of rewards is unlocked by reaching Runner Level 30, granting the Deluxe Arrival Cache. This blue-tiered cache provides high-quality gear and a unique cosmetic backpack. I do think reaching this level offers a clear advantage for the game's launch.

• Deluxe and Enhanced implants (3x each, 6x total)
• Deluxe and Enhanced Runner shell cores (1x each for each shell, 12x total)
• Deluxe and Enhanced weapon chip mods (2x each, 4x total)
• Weapons: Deluxe Magnum and Enhanced Volley Rifle
• Backpack: Deluxe Base Backpack

These progression-based rewards will not be available to use during the Server Slam itself. Instead, they will be delivered to player accounts when Marathon officially launches. PlayStation Plus members will receive additional, exclusive weapon charms inspired by other Sony games: Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2, and Helldivers 2. Bungie has confirmed that charms will also be available for Steam and Xbox players, but has not yet shared the details. It may take some time for all rewards to be distributed to player mailboxes after the March 5 launch, so some patience may be required if they do not appear immediately upon logging in. I see this as a fair way to reward dedicated players.

Prepare For The Bugs

The event is explicitly a " Server Slam," designed as a technical stress test rather than a polished demo. Its primary purpose is for Bungie to turn on its global infrastructure and monitor system performance under the strain of a massive, worldwide player base. Players should anticipate an experience that may be less stable than a typical game launch. Login queues are likely, especially during peak play hours, and the developer may need to bring servers down for emergency maintenance with little warning. The experience will likely include disconnects, error codes, and other bugs, which Bungie will use to inform improvements ahead of the final launch.

This playtest represents only a fraction of Marathon's full content. During the weekend, players can access two maps (Perimeter and Dire Marsh), early contracts for five factions, and five of the six launch Runner shells. Content that will be in the full game but absent from the Server Slam includes the late-game zones Outpost and Cryo Archive, the sixth faction Sekiguchi Genetics, the Thief Runner shell, full progression depth, and ranked modes. Player progression, such as Runner Level and faction standing, will not carry over from the Server Slam to the final game.

The Server Slam supports full cross-play and cross-save functionality. This allows you to play with friends on other platforms and carry your account between PC and consoles during the test. While your gameplay progress will be reset, all earned rewards—including the emblem, background, and Arrival Caches—will be tied to your Bungie account and delivered at launch.

The deadline to earn these exclusive items is March 2, when the servers shut down. The main action is to reach Runner Level 30 to secure the Deluxe Arrival Cache for the best possible start on launch day. Good luck, and have fun on Tau Ceti IV.