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Destroyer Shell: Best Builds & Loadouts

March 5, 20261 min read

Destroyer Overview

The Destroyer is Marathon's frontline combat shell. With the highest health and armor stats in the game, it excels at aggressive pushes, holding choke points, and winning direct engagements.

Abilities

  • Prime Ability — A devastating explosive that deals heavy area damage. Save this for squad fights or high-value targets.
  • Tactical Ability — A defensive tool that increases survivability during pushes.
  • Passive 1 — Bonus damage resistance when health drops below a threshold.
  • Passive 2 — Increased reload speed after scoring an elimination.

Recommended Builds

The Brawler (Aggressive Push)

This build maximizes survivability during close-range engagements.

Weapon Loadout:

  • Primary: High fire-rate SMG or shotgun
  • Secondary: Assault rifle for medium-range fallback

Core Focus: Health recovery and damage resistance Implants: Prioritize armor bonuses and movement speed

Playstyle: Push aggressively, use your tactical ability before entering combat, and rely on your passives to survive extended fights. Your Prime ability should be saved for multi-enemy engagements.

The Anchor (Defensive Hold)

This build turns the Destroyer into an immovable point holder.

Weapon Loadout:

  • Primary: LMG for sustained suppressive fire
  • Secondary: Marksman rifle for picking off approaching enemies

Core Focus: Damage resistance and team utility Implants: Prioritize armor, ammo reserves, and faction contract bonuses

Playstyle: Hold extraction points and high-traffic corridors. Let enemies come to you. Use your Prime ability to punish teams that try to rush your position.

Budget Build (Low-Risk Raids)

For farming runs where you want survivability without risking expensive gear.

Weapon Loadout:

  • Primary: Any C/D tier assault rifle
  • Secondary: Pistol

Core Focus: Basic health bonuses Implants: Whatever you have available

Playstyle: Use Destroyer's natural tankiness to survive with minimal investment. Focus on completing contracts and extracting safely.

Tips for Destroyer Players

  1. Don't play passive — Destroyer's kit rewards aggression, not camping
  2. Lead your squad — You're the tankiest member, enter rooms first
  3. Time your Prime — Don't waste it on a single enemy when you can hit multiple
  4. Watch your flanks — Assassin and Thief shells will try to get behind you
  5. Pair with Triage — A Triage teammate amplifies Destroyer's survivability significantly