EMP Grenade

The EMP Grenade is one of the most powerful and versatile pieces of equipment in Marathon, earning a consistent S-tier ranking across the competitive meta. On detonation, it immediately strips shields from affected targets and disorients any runner caught in the blast, creating a critical vulnerability window. This dual effect works equally well against AI enemies and human runners, making the EMP Grenade a universally valuable pick regardless of the engagement type you expect to encounter.

The shield-stripping mechanic is particularly impactful in PvP situations where shielded runners can otherwise absorb enormous amounts of incoming fire. Pairing an EMP Grenade with high-damage weapons creates a two-step combo: detonate the EMP to remove shields and disorient, then capitalize on the exposed health pool before the opponent can recover. Nearly every runner benefits from carrying EMP Grenades, and they are especially effective when playing aggressively against well-geared enemy squads.