What are TADs in Marathon

2 hours ago 6

Published Mar 5, 2026, 1:01 PM EST

Target Acquisition Devices are your friend

The player in Marathon interacting with the tablet on a TAD.

TADs — which stands for Target Acquisition Device — are your friend in Marathon. However, if you've stumbled upon one on Tau Ceti IV, you're likely wondering exactly how it works because, while it quite obviously emits regular pulses, Marathon doesn't explain its purpose very well. If you do find one, you should know they're incredibly useful, even though they take a moment to activate.

Here's what you need to know about TADs in Marathon and what they do.

Marathon TADs, explained

The player in Marathon looking at the TAD in Maintenance.

TADs are Target Acquisition Devices, which scan for nearby runners and UESC enemies. TADs look like poles that are red on the bottom, black on top, and have a yellow box as a head. About halfway up, you'll find a tablet that you can interact with. Doing so takes a moment — so don't try it mid-combat — but upon completion, a "TAD ping" will be emitted and the tablet will display the word "scanning."

The TAD tablet showing the word "scanning" with the blue radar emitting in Marathon.

With every ping, you'll be notified of nearby runner and UESC locations. It will continue emitting pings every 10 seconds, and, from our testing, it appears it will send out four pings in total (so 30 seconds after the first ping will be the last).

This allows you to keep track of where enemies are, and while it won't show you their every movement, it means you have a rough idea and can plan accordingly. They're a key part of completing some of the game's contracts, and one faction upgrade — which you can get started on by completing the "Introducing: Traxus" priority contract — allows you to upgrade TADs so they highlight enemies at a further distance.

TADs do have specific spawn locations, but they won't spawn in every match. We found one on an upper walkway in Maintenance on Dire Marsh, directly above the locked Maintenance Pump key door, and another on the second floor of Hauler on Perimeter. Keep an eye out and interact with them when you find them to stay safe.

In other Marathon news, check out our guides to all the weapons and classes, and we also have a guide for the "Survival Directive" priority contract.

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