Why did Bungie nerf Marathon's shotgun again?

Marathon’s shotgun gets nerfed again

Bungie is adjusting Marathon’s most popular shotgun for a second time, with the rationale focused on balance and variety. The key concern is that the weapon has become too dominant among short-range options—essentially eclipsing other choices players could make in the same role.

Instead of targeting a single player behavior or one-off exploit, the nerf is framed around weapon “meta” pressure: when one gun consistently outperforms alternatives at the same range, the game can become less interesting for both newcomers and veterans. That matters for matchmaking and long-term health because it pushes players toward the same loadouts rather than encouraging experimentation with other close-quarters weapons.

In practical terms, this kind of change typically aims to:

• Reduce the shotgun’s overall effectiveness in close engagements
• Give other short-range weapons a better chance to compete
• Slightly widen viable build and playstyle options

While the story doesn’t list the exact tuning values, it does make clear that Bungie sees the shotgun’s popularity as a balance risk rather than a sign the weapon needs to be “left alone.” This second pass suggests Bungie previously tried to rein in the shotgun, and the results weren’t enough to stop it from becoming the default pick.

For players, the immediate impact is straightforward: expect different effectiveness in short-range fights, and likely a need to reassess favorite weapons and attachments/perks (if applicable) until the updated meta settles. For the broader ecosystem, it signals Bungie is actively monitoring weapon balance in Marathon rather than waiting for larger seasonal overhauls.