The Marauder Tournament is the first tournament available to new contestants in the combat sports show DreadZone in Deadlocked. It essentially serves as a qualification course to let new contestants test themselves and earn the first medal with which they can enter the next planet on DreadZone to increase their rank even further.
Note that the difficulty of the gameplay in Deadlocked vastly depends on the chosen difficulty at the start of the game. Due to the difference disparity this guide generally assumes the highest available (Hero) was chosen. On Hero difficulty nanotech crates give only 15% of your maximum nanotech when opened, and enemies take and deal far more damage. The difficulty level also affects how many Glamour Stars you earn.
Unlike previous Ratchet & Clank games there are no collectible special bolts, and skill points function differently as well. This time each location features a total of fifteen skill points, which generally involve generic objectives such as destroying a specific number of enemies within a time limit, or without being hit, as well as more advanced tasks for specific challenges. Skill points all award bolts immediately upon completion, making them a valuable way to earn some extra money with the lack of standard bolt crates.
Challenges[]
Qualification Course[]
The Qualification Course is technically not a real challenge, serving only to help introduce new players to the basic controls and basic combat. It is therefore not possible to replay it, although it is still possible to lose. Start by following Clank's instructions, aiming the reticle and camera at the DZ Striker holo-targets, and shooting them when instructed with the Dual Vipers. When you gain control of Ratchet go ahead and follow Al's instructions and climb the ledge, then seek and eliminate all three holo-targets to be able to use the teleporter.
The next segment features a small arena in which you will be pitted against the most basic enemies, these being Blade Balls, Tri-Spike Swarmers, DZ Strikers, and Tremors. The Blade Balls and Swarmers are both weak melee enemies, with the former being capable of flight. DZ Strikers and Tremors are sturdier enemies and often spawn in groups of four to five, at which point the Dual Vipers are ineffective (though they are functional against lone enemies). The Magma Cannon should be used against groups, and especially the Tremor enemies as they will attempt to rush you.
Afterwards you will gain access to the Containment Suite where you must meet up with Al and Clank, the former of which gives you a pair of Combat bots; Merc and Green. Proceed to the Battledome transport shuttle when finished to start the next challenge.
Advanced Qualifier[]
Defeat the first few enemies to start with, during which your combat bots will aid you. They do not provide too much firepower, but are sufficient to at least destroy the weakest enemies, but otherwise solely serve as support and decoys. Kills made by them count as kills made by your currently equipped weapon as well. One of them will automatically break down once the fighting is over, after which you must revive it by pressing 
on the D-pad. Follow the linear path on the minimap afterwards across the floating platforms to reach a larger arena, dealing with an ambush by Blade Balls and DZ Strikers in a small corridor.
Dropships will show up once you reach the next arena, dropping in groups of Tremors. The Magma Cannon is recommended here, especially due to it outperforming the Dual Vipers in general by far with its high spread, damage, and acceptable range. Head for the next platform when it is possible to do so and eliminate the enemies there, then turn the bolt crank to create a path to the end of the challenge; a 70 millimeter Stalker Turret. Order the bots as instructed to throw an EMP Grenade to disable it, then shoot it. If you fail to destroy it in time just take cover again and re-order the grenade throw, then finish it off.
Completion of this challenge rewards the player character with a green medal, with which they can access Catacrom Four and attempt its own challenges. You can also purchase the B6-Obliterator and Acid Mod, but likely will not have enough bolts for the former until you complete the following two Dread Challenges. If you buy the latter, equip it in the omega mods sub-section on all your weapons for some extra bonus damage. Al's combat bot vendor also offers the Shield Link (and a few cosmetic changes), although at 15,000 bolts it is not worth the money for now.
Dread Challenges[]
Grist for the Mill[]
This is the first available Dread Challenge, which are simply optional challenges for if you wish to earn more bolts and Dread Points (generally not as optional). "Grist for the Mill" also has two available skill points; "Skillful" and "Fiver", the former which requires ten enemy kills in a row with the same weapon, and the latter which requires five enemy kills without taking damage, both are quite simple.
The challenge itself is simple as well, as you are only required to destroy ten waves of the same enemies fought so far. They will come in either by dropship or by jumping over the edge of the arena, appearing from nowhere. As they are generally clustered up at first the Magma Cannon is recommended.
The Big Sleep[]
"The Big Sleep" is the first notably difficult Dread Challenge, especially on Hero difficulty. Due to the health drain modifier and the high damage dealt by enemies you will almost entirely be forced to dodge every attack, while unable to properly restore HP due to Hero difficulty coupled with your low maximum HP only ensuring a recovery rate of one HP per crate. Regardless, the goal is to finish all ten rounds of enemies, akin to the previous Dread Challenge. Enemies will also keep spawning, with almost no downtime to take a moment to recover and take stock. Nanotech and ammo crates also spawn sporadically and randomly around the arena, forcing you to go out and sometimes venture towards the enemy to heal and reload.
Behind the scenes[]
In cut audio files, it was indicated that the Marauder Tournament was classed as a proper tournament, and took place further into the game.[1]