What Are Anomaly Specimens in Marathon?

The season 2 update of Marathon has introduced a new task for the Runners, where they have to find an Anomaly Specimen. It is a type of high-value loot that can only be acquired while completing either the Research and Development or the Light/Shadow contracts. Outside of these contracts, the Anomaly Specimen has no other use or significance whatsoever.

If you are stuck on the part where they ask you to collect and deliver an Anomaly Specimen in Marathon, this guide is for you. We have explained what this item is and how you can get it to complete the task efficiently.

What Is an Anomaly Specimen in Marathon?

As mentioned earlier, an Anomaly Specimen is a high-value loot that was introduced after the season 2 update. Obtaining it is a part of the Traxus and MIDA faction-specific contracts. Currently, you can only get it on the Night Marsh map, which is a night variant of the Dire Marsh map.

Collecting this item usually comes in contracts like Research and Development, where you have to collect and deliver it to DCON. Apart from this, the Light/Shadow contract asks you to collect and deliver the specimen to an Incinerator. You can always open the map and find the nearest DCON or Incinerator to complete these tasks, provided that you have the deliverable.

The only intel you are given about the specimen is that it’s obtained from a Hazardous Transport Drone. Where and how to find that drone isn’t explained in any in-game manual. Don’t you worry, we have covered that part below for you.

How to Get an Anomaly Specimen in Marathon

Once you receive a contract requesting this specimen, you must begin searching for the Hazardous Transport Drone. Destroying this drone will drop multiple rewards, including a Cargo Box. You can open it to find the Anomaly Specimen inside.

A general thing to remember is that whenever the said drone spawns on the map, you will be notified about it. A message saying “Hazardous Drone Detected” will appear on the screen. After this message shows up, a neon green marker will appear, and you can follow it to reach the drone.

You can easily identify the drone as it hovers with a light around it. Once you spot the drone, take out your weapon and start shooting it. When you shoot it for the first time, the drone will teleport somewhere else. However, you can follow that neon green marker on the screen and reach out to it. You will then have to shoot it again until it’s destroyed and the loot, including an Anomaly Specimen, is dropped.

Looting the Anomaly Specimen takes some effort, and so do several other items. You must know what the best loot is in Marathon; otherwise, you’d start picking up random junk.

Let us know in the comments if you need help with something else.