Marathon is built around high-stakes extraction runs, shifting alliances, and faction-driven progression — and few factions reward raw aggression like Arachne. If you’re diving into the “Introducing: Arachne” Contract, you’re stepping into a mission designed to test one thing above all: your ability to engage, damage, and down enemy Runners under pressure.
Unlike passive loot contracts or simple exploration objectives, this contract pushes you directly into PvP combat. You won’t complete it by hiding, farming AI, or avoiding conflict. Instead, you’ll need calculated aggression, smart positioning, and efficient weapon handling to deal meaningful damage and secure a down in a single run.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from exact objectives and reward value to optimized loadouts, solo vs. squad strategies, farming routes, and common tracking issues players encounter. Whether you’re chasing early faction reputation, unlocking Arachne’s combat-focused upgrades, or simply looking to sharpen your PvP edge, this walkthrough will help you complete the contract quickly and consistently.
Table of Contents
Exact objectives
- Typical objective phrasing (community/guide consensus):
- Deal X damage to enemy Runners (often tracked cumulatively in the run).
- Down an enemy Runner (a single down counts; finishing the kill may or may not be required depending on contract wording — community observations show down + teammate finish usually counts).
- Variants noted across community DBs: some Arachne contracts list the damage threshold explicitly (e.g., 60 damage) plus “down 1 enemy runner in a single run”; others are more lenient in wording but require PvP involvement. Check the contract tooltip in-game to see the exact numbers for that contract instance.
Rewards & faction progression (why you care)
- Completing Arachne contracts grants faction reputation and contributes to the Arachne upgrade tracks (damage upgrades, combat uptime bonuses, kill-focused stat boosts). Unlocking ranks yields vault rows, credits boost, and vendor items.
- Early Server Slam testing suggested Arachne favors aggressive playstyles: its upgrades lean into output rather than resilience, so pairing Arachne with survivability (or squads that can finish downs) is effective.
Practical, step-by-step completion tactics
Below are tested/curated tactics pulled from multiple guide posts and player reports:
If you’re solo (high-risk, high-reward)
- Pick high burst DPS weapons (SMG/assault with short TTK mods or high burst rifle). You want to hit the damage threshold quickly. Guides recommend aggressive, close-mid engagements.
- Play high-traffic extraction areas (Perimeter / Dire Marsh in the Server Slam playtest) — these maps have more runner contact and faster chances to both deal damage and get a down.
- Use ambush spots and chokepoints — bait, trade one fight for damage progress, then retreat to finish off a weakened opponent. Deltia / community guides emphasize creating brief windows to secure the down.
- If you down but don’t get the final blow: push in to finish if safe, or coordinate with a teammate (if available) — some reports indicate a teammate finish still counts for the “down an enemy Runner” objective. Community anecdote: a lot of players successfully complete the contract via coordinated duo plays.
If you’re in a squad (recommended for consistent completion)
- Designate one aggressor (Arachne hunter) and one finisher (safety/support). Let the aggressor draw fire and deal damage while the finisher secures the down — this is the fastest, most reliable method reported by testers.
Best loadouts & mods (meta tips from guides)
- Weapons: short-TTK automatic weapons, burst rifles; aim for high sustained DPS and mobility.
- Implements (implants/cores) & traits: anything that increases combat uptime, swap speed, or close-range lethality — since Arachne rewards kills and damage. Community pages list the Arachne upgrades as heavily offense-skewed.
- Playstyle: flank, force fights on your terms, and don’t shy from post-fight finishing (pickup downs). If you die often, consider adding survivability mods to convert damage into reliable downs.
Farming routes & efficient patterns
- Chain-extract runs: enter a match, complete the Arachne objective quickly in a hotspot, then exfil. Community playtesters reported this is faster for leveling faction rep than staying entire matches.
- Time window: during the Server Slam / playtest the Perimeter map was frequently recommended for early Arachne contracts because of predictable high-contact spawn points. In regular play, find the named hotspots pegged by community map guides.
Known issues, community notes & variation across servers
- Tooltip vs. tracking quirks: some players reported the contract UI wording can be slightly ambiguous (down vs. finish), and different test builds handled finishing blows inconsistently — check contract completion notification in the top-right in-game to confirm. If a down wasn’t credited, a teammate finishing sometimes still counted in community-reported cases.
- Playtest meta / balance: Arachne is intentionally aggressive; it’s not ideal for passive looting runs. If you try to passively avoid contact you won’t make meaningful progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the “Introducing: Arachne” contract in Marathon?
It’s an early faction contract tied to Arachne that focuses on PvP combat. The core objectives typically require you to deal damage to enemy Runners and down at least one enemy Runner in a single run.
2) Do I have to get the final kill, or is a down enough?
In most cases, securing the down is what counts. However, some builds or updates may track it slightly differently. To be safe:
- Try to confirm the elimination if possible.
- Watch for the contract progress notification in the UI before extracting.
3) Can teammates help complete it?
Yes. In squad play:
- You can deal the damage.
- A teammate can help secure the down.
This is often the most reliable way to complete it quickly.
4) Does damage to AI enemies count?
No. The contract specifically tracks damage to enemy Runners (real players), not NPCs.
5) Can I complete it across multiple matches?
No. The objectives must typically be completed within a single run. If you extract or die before finishing both conditions, progress resets for that match.
6) What’s the fastest way to complete it?
- Land in high-traffic zones
- Use high-DPS weapons
- Play aggressively but intelligently
- Push weakened enemies after third-party fights
7) Is this contract beginner-friendly?
It can be challenging for new players because it requires PvP engagement. Running it with a squad significantly improves success rate.
Things to Avoid (Common Mistakes)
❌ 1. Playing Too Passively
If you avoid fights, you won’t complete this contract. Looting quietly won’t progress PvP objectives.
❌ 2. Fighting Entire Squads Alone (Without Positioning)
Aggression doesn’t mean recklessness. Avoid open-field pushes without cover or escape options.
❌ 3. Using Low-DPS or Long-TTK Weapons
Snipers or slow-firing weapons can work, but they make it harder to secure a quick down before the enemy escapes or gets revived.
❌ 4. Ignoring the “Single Run” Requirement
If you deal damage but fail to secure a down before dying or extracting, the contract will not complete.
❌ 5. Forgetting to Confirm Contract Progress
Always check:
- On-screen completion notification
- Contract tab progress
Don’t assume it counted.
❌ 6. Third-Party Tunnel Vision
Jumping into an ongoing fight is smart — but:
- Make sure shields/health are full
- Watch for additional squads rotating in
- Secure your down before looting
❌ 7. Extracting Too Early
Some players panic-extract after dealing damage but before confirming the down objective is complete.
❌ 8. Ignoring Positioning & Escape Routes
Arachne rewards aggression — not suicides. Always:
- Fight near cover
- Maintain line-of-sight control
- Keep an escape route planned
Read More: Marathon Solo Beginner Guide (2026), Fish It Candy Enchant Stone Guide (2026): How to Get, Use & Mistakes to Avoid
I’m Vibha Verma, a gaming writer who focuses on game controls, walkthroughs, and easy-to-follow guides. I enjoy breaking down complex game mechanics into simple steps so players can quickly learn how things work. My goal is to help both new and experienced gamers play with confidence by providing clear, practical, and reliable gaming guides.
