Marathon’s Server Slam is a free, time‑limited stress test running from February 26 at 10 a.m. PT to March 2 at 10 a.m. PT on PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. During this window you can preview Bungie’s extraction shooter, unlock an exclusive Beta.exe emblem and Complex Study background, and bank powerful Arrival Caches that will be delivered to your account when Marathon officially launches on March 5.
| Requirement | Cache Tier | Key Rewards at Launch |
|---|---|---|
| Complete first mission | Standard Cache | 6 Standard implants, 4 Runner shell cores, 6 weapon chip mods, Overrun & Hardline weapons |
| Reach Runner Level 10 | Enhanced Cache | 6 Enhanced implants, 12 shell cores, 4 weapon chip mods, Enhanced Magnum & Hardline weapons |
| Reach Runner Level 30 | Deluxe Cache | 3 Deluxe + 3 Enhanced implants, 12 Deluxe + Enhanced cores, 4 weapon chip mods,
Deluxe Magnum, Enhanced Volley Rifle, Deluxe Base backpack |
If you’re dropping in on the final full day, your priority is simple: complete the introductory mission to secure the Beta.exe emblem, then push your Runner level to 10 and ideally 30 to unlock all three Arrival Cache tiers (Standard, Enhanced, and Deluxe) before servers go offline. You won’t keep beta characters or progression, but every Arrival Cache you earn will arrive via in‑game mailbox at launch and gives you a serious gear bump for your first real extraction runs.
What to do before the Server Slam ends
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Download Marathon on Steam, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S and log in during the Server Slam window.
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Complete the introductory mission to unlock the Beta.exe emblem, Complex Study background, and Standard Arrival Cache.
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Keep playing contracts and missions until you reach Runner level 10 for the Enhanced Arrival Cache.
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If possible, grind to Runner level 30 to secure the Deluxe Arrival Cache with high‑end gear and a Deluxe backpack.
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Watch drops‑enabled Marathon streams on Twitch to earn additional cosmetic rewards tied to viewing milestones.
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If you hit Currant error codes or long queues, restart the game, check Bungie’s status channels, and try again during less busy hours.
When does the Marathon Server Slam end and what carries over?
Marathon’s Server Slam runs globally from February 26 at 10 a.m. PT until March 2 at 10 a.m. PT, with regional times adjusted accordingly. It’s an open preview; you don’t need a code, just a platform account and enough storage space to install the client.
Your character, mission progress, and in‑beta currency do not carry over to the full release. Instead, the game tracks specific milestones during the Slam and converts them into rewards that will be granted via in‑game mailbox when Marathon goes live on March 5. Those rewards include:
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Beta.exe emblem (account‑wide)
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Complex Study player background
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Standard, Enhanced, and Deluxe Arrival Caches (depending on your progression)
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Twitch Drops cosmetics linked to viewing time on partnered streams
How to unlock Arrival Caches (and why they matter)
Arrival Caches are pre‑launch loot bundles that arrive on day one and are meant to jump‑start your first extractions. Each higher tier includes everything from the tiers below, so hitting Runner level 30 is effectively a full set of launch gear.
If you’re low on time, at least secure the Standard Cache by finishing your first mission, because it gives you a complete starting kit plus two named weapons on launch day. Reaching level 10 is a big step up, as the Enhanced Cache pushes you into upgraded shells and weapons immediately. Level 30 is a grind, but it front‑loads your early game with Deluxe‑tier implants, chip mods, and a stronger backpack that will noticeably smooth your first extraction routes.
From a player perspective, this is less about min‑maxing perfect stats and more about ensuring you aren’t stuck with the weakest gear while learning the zones and PvEvP flow on launch week.
How to get the Beta.exe emblem and Complex Study background
The Beta.exe emblem and Complex Study player background are cosmetic rewards tied to the Server Slam’s introductory mission. To earn them:
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Log in on any supported platform during the Server Slam period.
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Play through the game’s opening sequence and complete the first full mission.
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Once Marathon launches on March 5, check your in‑game mailbox; the emblem and background will be delivered there along with any Arrival Caches you unlocked.
These cosmetics are framed as specific to the Server Slam weekend and intended to show that you were part of the pre‑launch stress test. If you care about long‑term account history or early flex cosmetics, this is the one box you definitely want to tick before the servers go dark.
Currant error code explained and what you can realistically do
Currant is the most common error code players are hitting during the Marathon Server Slam, often preventing them from logging in or kicking them back to menu between matches. It’s a fruit‑themed network error inherited from Bungie’s naming conventions that flags an interruption between your client and the game’s servers.
The important part: during this stress test, large numbers of players on Steam, PS5, and Xbox are seeing Currant even while every other game and app on their connection works fine. Bungie support and community reporting both point to server‑side capacity strain as the primary cause, not broken home networks.
You can still try standard troubleshooting steps:
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Restart the Marathon client before re‑queuing.
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Power‑cycle your router or modem to rule out local hiccups.
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Use a wired Ethernet connection where possible instead of Wi‑Fi.
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Check Bungie’s official help and status channels to see if there’s an active outage or maintenance.
These steps are safe and sometimes help, but there is currently no guaranteed player‑side fix for Currant when it’s caused by overloaded servers. The most practical play is to keep your sessions flexible, avoid peak hours if you can, and treat any successful string of matches as bonus time rather than a guarantee.
A good mindset here is that the Slam is literally designed to break the backend so Bungie can harden it for launch—if you’re seeing Currant, you’re unfortunately part of that test data, even if it’s frustrating in the moment.
Is the Marathon Server Slam worth your time if you’re starting late?
If you’re coming in on the final full day, the Server Slam is still worth playing as long as you can carve out a few focused sessions.
It’s worth it if:
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You want a stronger start on March 5 without grinding the weakest early gear.
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You enjoy having “I was there” cosmetics like the Beta.exe emblem.
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You’re curious about the feel of Marathon’s extractions, zones, and faction contracts before committing serious time at launch.
It’s less worth it if:
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You only have an hour or two and don’t care about cosmetics—you might not hit level 10 in that time, especially with queues and errors.
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You’re easily frustrated by unstable servers; Currant and other errors are still popping up regularly during peak demand.
If you do jump in, aim for that intro mission first, then decide if you have the patience and time to push for level 10 and 30 once you’ve seen how your connection holds up.
