How to Use the Thief’s Pickpocket Drone in Marathon
Runner Shells in Marathon come with their own unique traits and abilities, and one of the more interesting ones belongs to the Thief. Her Prime Ability deploys the Pickpocket Drone, a small device that players can manually pilot for a short period before it deactivates or gets destroyed. Once the run has progressed enough for the ability to charge, players can activate it using L1/LB + R1/RB on the controller or Q on the keyboard.
After deploying it, you control the drone’s movement by adjusting its height and flight path. When you spot a target, press R1/RB or G to launch a hooked tether that steals loot directly from them. While the controls in Marathon are simple, using the drone effectively requires good timing and positioning, which we break down below.
What Do Schemas Do in Marathon?
Schemas are great for unlocking new gear for your Marathon arsenal, but you might not fully understand how they work.
How Does the Pickpocket Drone Work in Marathon
Piloting the Pickpocket Drone leaves your character completely immobile and vulnerable to attacks from UESC enemies or other Runners. Because of this, it is best to activate the drone while behind cover or when teammates are nearby to watch the area.
As mentioned earlier, the drone’s primary purpose is to steal loot from other players. When the drone gets close to a Runner, it highlights them with a green outline. Once within range, press the tether button to fire the hook and pull an item from their inventory. The tether always steals the highest-value item the player is carrying. If the item you obtain isn’t particularly valuable, it likely means the Runner wasn’t carrying anything worthwhile.
Although stealing loot is the drone’s main feature, it can also interact with the environment. The Pickpocket Drone can open or close doors and even grab loot you may have left behind in a building you would rather not re-enter.
Another major use of the drone is reconnaissance. When playing in Trios, the Thief can deploy the drone to scout areas before the team pushes in. If enemy Runners are spotted, you can call out their positions so your teammates can be ready with their Runner abilities to prepare for the fight or set up an ambush.
If the drone manages to steal loot, you can simply fly it back to your location and collect the items. However, if the drone is shot down while carrying loot, everything it stole will drop at the location where it was destroyed. You will need to travel there yourself if you want to recover those items.
Looking for a comprehensive interactive map of Dire Marsh or Perimeter? You can find them here.
- Released
-
March 5, 2026
- ESRB
-
Teen / Animated Blood, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op