Marathon Vault Breaker Guide (Oct 20 – Nov 10): Vault Data, Armory and Solo Tips
How Vault Breaker worked in its October 20 – November 10 run: Vault Data, the Armory, solo tips, and what comes next in Marathon.
Short answer. Vault Breaker ran from October 20 to November 10, 2026, and it has ended. Bungie hasn't announced another run. Next up in Marathon: Ordnance Heist runs from November 10 to November 23, and Symbiosis brings the first permanent PvE experience on December 8. Regular Cryo Archive still opens every week, and CarrySquad's Cryo Archive carry covers it from $20.
Last checked: November 13, 2026.
Want regular Cryo Archive loot without the grind?
Vault Breaker has ended, but regular Cryo Archive opens every week. We run it for you: Normal Run $20, Compiler kill $65.
Vault Breaker came back for a second run, and it was the friendliest way into Cryo Archive this season. No enemy crews, nobody camping the exfil. Just you, maybe a couple of friends, and a ship full of UESC.
It ran from October 20 to November 10, with a stingier Armory and the best items held back for weeks two and three. The event is over now. We're keeping this guide as a record of how runs worked, how Vault Data paid out and how the Armory was stocked, so you know what to expect if Bungie brings it back.
Key points
- Ran October 20 – November 10, 2026. The event and its rewards are gone now.
- PvE only: solo, duo or trio, at any Runner level.
- Everyone used the free Sponsored Kit. Only Vault Data left the run with you.
- Commander kills paid Tier 1 even if you died. Tier 2 needed chained vaults and an exfil.
- Solo players earned 50% more of both tiers.
- Vault Keys 4–6 and the best limited gear only showed up in weeks two and three.
When did Vault Breaker run, and what comes next?
Vault Breaker was live from October 20 to November 10. That was three Armory weeks, and the second and third ones mattered most for spending.
This was the event's second run. The first one launched in July as Marathon's first experimental PvE mode. Bungie hasn't announced another run.
What comes next: Ordnance Heist runs from November 10 to November 23. Regular Cryo Archive opens every Thursday and now closes on Mondays instead of Sundays. On December 8, Symbiosis brings Marathon's first permanent PvE experience, a new Bishop shell and an expanded Perimeter.
How to start your first run
You can't bring your own loadout. Everyone plays with the same kit and builds it up, so do this before you queue:
- Open the Armory
Pick Vault Breaker under Events.
- Equip the free Sponsored Kit
It starts with one standard weapon and a little gear, so the first runs feel thin.
- Queue solo, duo or trio
Matchmade and premade crews both work, and there's no level gate.
- Come back after every run
Turn your Vault Data into kit upgrades.
Your Cradle and Faction upgrades still apply, so the time you've already put into your Runner pays off here too.
Watch out
Don't fill your bag with run loot. Weapons and items you find during a run stay behind. Only the event currency comes home, so keep room for Vault Data and for what gets you to exfil.
How Vault Data works
Vault Data is what you're really there for. It comes in two tiers, and they pay out differently.
| Type | Where it comes from | Do you need to exfil? |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Vaults | Yes |
| Tier 1 | UESC Commander kills | No, it pays out after the run |
| Tier 2 | Several vaults solved in a row, in one run | Yes |
So when a run is falling apart, go find a Commander before you go down. You'll still leave with something.
When it's going well, make the call early: keep chaining vaults for Tier 2, or bank what you have. Pushing one more vault with no shields and no plan out is how good runs end with nothing.
What to buy in the Vault Breaker Armory
Vault Data goes two ways: kit upgrades that make your event runs stronger, and offers that you take back to regular Marathon. Offers don't change your Vault Breaker loadout at all.
| Offer | Limit and timing |
|---|---|
| Kit upgrades | All open from day one |
| Materials Pack 1 and 2 | 2 each per week |
| Cryo Archive Key Template | 1 per week |
| Deluxe weapon, Backpack, Shield Implant | 2 each per week |
| Vault Keys 4, 5, 6 (Tier 2) | Weeks 2 and 3 only |
| DRRVISH, Salt Wages, Omnipositor, Biotoxic Disinjector (Tier 2) | Weeks 2 and 3 only |
A simple plan that works:
- Week one: put everything into kit upgrades, then the Key Template if you play regular Cryo Archive.
- Every week: clear the Tier 1 stock you actually want. Unused weekly stock doesn't roll over.
- Weeks two and three: spend the Tier 2 you saved on Vault Keys and the limited gear.
The spending deadline was November 10: event rewards were only available while the event was live.
Skip the Cryo Archive grind
Cryo Archive carry
Vault Breaker has ended, but regular Cryo Archive opens every week. A Normal Run counts once your Runner makes a successful exfil; if it doesn't, we replay it at no extra cost. Loot is random, and everything your Runner extracts stays on your account. Compiler kill $65, all 7 vaults and the boss $700.
Is Vault Breaker worth playing solo?
Yes. Solo players got 50% more Vault Data of both tiers in this run. Chaining vaults alone is hard, but short, careful solo runs pay well.
In a group you lose the bonus but gain the firepower to go deeper for Tier 2. Pick by how you like to play, not by the numbers alone.
Vault Breaker Codex rewards
On top of the Armory, Vault Breaker has its own Codex challenges with cosmetic rewards. In the first run that meant an emblem, a profile background, a Circuit Breaker weapon style and a weapon charm.
They're tied to solving vaults and getting out, so they come naturally as your kit gets stronger.
Skip the Codex Mastery grind
Runner Codex Mastery
Every Runner shell has its own set of five Mastery challenges in the Codex, and Codex progress earns exclusive cosmetics and lore. We complete the ones you pick. Single challenges start at $20 for Recon, Assassin, Thief, Destroyer and Triage, $26 for Vandal and $33 for Sentinel.
Vault Breaker Speed Challenge
Alongside the event, Bungie ran a Speed Challenge: launch into Vault Breaker and defeat the Compiler as fast as possible. The goal was to be among the top 30 fastest crews (Bungie's announcement).
- Window. Nov 3, 10am PT – Nov 10, 9:59am PT (Nov 3, 18:00 – Nov 10, 17:59 UTC).
- Rewards. Support Tag Weapon Charm, Biotoxic Disinjector, 1000 Hyphatic Gel and 1 Prestige Key.
- Rules. Bungie links its Community Rewards guide for how these rewards work.
The Speed Challenge closed with the event on November 10.
Last checked: November 11, 2026.
Common mistakes
- Looting like it's a normal run. None of it comes home. Vault Data does.
- Spending all your Tier 2 in week one. The keys and limited gear arrive in weeks two and three.
- Farming Monitor scans for XP. They give half the usual XP during the event.
- Planning around Tier 3 contracts. Some of them were switched off while Vault Breaker was live.
Vault Breaker tips
- Start small. Clear one or two vaults and exfil while your kit is still weak.
- Always look for Commanders. They're your insurance against a wipe.
- Decide on Tier 2 early. Don't make the "one more vault" call when you're out of supplies.
- Upgrade before you push. A better kit beats a braver plan.
- Check the Armory every week. Stock resets, and the best items arrive late.
Marathon service prices
What CarrySquad charges for the runs mentioned in this guide:
- Cryo Archive, Normal Run$20
- Cryo Archive, Compiler kill$65
- Cryo Archive, all 7 vaults and boss kill$700
- Cradle XP Farmfrom $2
- Faction upgradesfrom $3
FAQ
When did Vault Breaker end?
On November 10, 2026. Event rewards were only available during the event.
Can I use my own weapons in Vault Breaker?
No. Everyone plays with the Sponsored Kit from the Vault Breaker Armory and upgrades it with Vault Data.
Do I need Level 25 for Vault Breaker?
No. Unlike regular Cryo Archive, there's no Runner level requirement.
Do I keep Vault Data if I die?
Only the Tier 1 you get from killing UESC Commanders. Everything else needs a successful exfil.
Can I use Armory items in Vault Breaker?
Only kit upgrades change your Vault Breaker loadout. Weekly and limited offers are for regular Marathon.
When did Vault Keys 4, 5 and 6 appear?
Only in the second and third weeks of the event.
What comes after Vault Breaker?
Ordnance Heist runs from November 10 to November 23. Symbiosis, Marathon's first permanent PvE experience, arrives on December 8.
Want Cryo Archive done for you?
Normal Run $20. Compiler kill $65. All 7 vaults and the boss $700.
