Bungie has detailed Expedition Phase 1, a cooperative roguelite mode designed for its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon. The activity challenges squads of up to 3 players to complete escalating combat sequences across 4 distinct planetary zones. The development team plans to demonstrate live gameplay and mechanics in an upcoming production broadcast ahead of the rollout.
Expedition sessions operate as a linked sequence of 3 runs called a Run Series. The first 2 runs focus on exploration, contract completion, and hardware collection to assemble a viable character build. The third run acts as the finale, known as the Critical Incident, which raises mission difficulty and introduces high value objectives. Players can tackle complex zone activities like the Upper Complex in Night Marsh, Pinwheel in Outpost, or a boss encounter against the Tick Queen in Perimeter.
Squads have the option to reset their progression at any checkpoint to cash out gathered earnings. Continuing the streak allows players to push completed builds into higher difficulty tiers for greater profit. Participants who join an active squad session automatically inherit the highest run tier of the group, though their gear options remain restricted to default faction kits rather than curated builds.
Power progression inside each series relies on items called Flash Boosts. Players acquire these temporary modifiers by defeating elite enemies, looting regional caches, or completing operational objectives. Collecting duplicate copies of an identical boost stacks its potency and raises its rarity level for the duration of the run.
Bungie separates run progression from persistent account gains. All temporary Flash Boosts and field loot convert automatically into cash upon concluding or resetting a Run Series. Earned credits and player experience points transfer permanently to the main profile, enabling users to purchase equipment and upgrade the Cradle for standard extraction matches.
The update incorporates an overhaul of the Perimeter map, reshaping the environment with alien fungal growth. This terrain shift introduces 2 new map sectors designated as Reservoir and Burrows, while retaining access to all original operational contracts. Players who reach the required Runner Level can freely select between Perimeter, Night Marsh, Outpost, and Cryo Archive for each stage of their 3 run sequence.
