Complete guide to The Finals Season 1 update: New content, weapon balancing, and gameplay improvements
Season 1 Overview & New Content
The highly anticipated launch of The Finals has arrived with update 1.2.0, marking the official start of Season 1. After extensive beta testing, Embark Studios has delivered a comprehensive package that transforms the free-to-play shooter experience with crossplay and cross-progression support.
Embark Studios has officially launched The Finals with patch 1.2.0, kicking off Season 1 with substantial content additions including new maps, weapon adjustments, special events, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. This comprehensive breakdown covers everything players need to master the new season.
The development journey culminates in this full release, building upon earlier beta sessions to deliver a polished competitive experience. Update 1.2.0 introduces a completely new Battle Pass system, the dazzling Las Vegas arena, multiple map variations, and limited-time events that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Strategic weapon balancing and movement refinements create a more competitive environment as players dive into Season 1. These adjustments address community feedback from beta testing while maintaining the fast-paced action that defines The Finals experience.
- Dynamic reload and weapon inspection animations
- Expressive emoticons for communication
- Character gestures for post-match celebrations
- Companion pets that follow your contestant
- Custom sound packs and audio cues
- Animated watches displaying match statistics
- Additional cosmetic items to discover
- Total of 96 exclusive seasonal rewards available
- 29 rewards accessible without premium purchase for free players
- Complete BattlePass completion grants 1575 Multibucks currency
- Six progressive mastery tiers for each weapon type
- Six advancement levels for every gadget in your arsenal
- Five skill tiers for character abilities and specializations
- Experience high-stakes combat in this glamorous casino environment featuring tight corridors and vertical gameplay opportunities
- Sandstorm variant: Navigate reduced visibility conditions in this atmospheric Las Vegas version that demands strategic positioning
- Tripwires & turrets: Environmental hazards create tactical complexity, requiring careful movement through trapped corridors and chokepoints
- This unexpected extraterrestrial encounter introduces unique gameplay mechanics and visual effects that must be experienced firsthand
Weapon Balancing & Changes
Weapon balance receives significant attention in update 1.2.0, with several adjustments based on beta performance data. The changes create more distinct weapon roles while addressing community concerns about certain overpowered options.
Primary weapon adjustments target the AKM, Flamethrower, M60, and V9S to reduce their dominance from previous versions. Recoil patterns, firing rates, and effective ranges have been modified to require more skill for optimal performance. Meanwhile, the FCAR and Lewis Gun receive control improvements to increase their viability.
- AKM: Revised recoil pattern increases weapon kick, demanding better burst control for accuracy
- FCAR: Smoother recoil behavior improves mid-range engagement effectiveness
- Flamethrower: Multiple nerfs including 60cm range reduction, slower 160 RPM fire rate, and damage decrease to 28
- Lewis Gun: Enhanced controllability makes this LMG more reliable for sustained fire
- LH1: Trade-off changes with higher hip-fire dispersion but improved ADS control and increased 45 damage
- M60: More challenging recoil management required for this heavy machine gun
- V9S: Significant nerfs with reduced 20-round magazine, harder recoil control, and worse long-range performance
- Throwing Knives: Now available for Light archetype, offering silent elimination potential
- Revised bullet dispersion mechanics when aiming down sights across all firearms
- Fixed multiple weapon malfunction issues including infinite firing bugs
- New damage-over-time hitmarker visual feedback added to crosshairs
- Riot Shield no longer provides protection during emote animations
Gameplay & Movement Improvements
Movement and combat responsiveness receive substantial polish in this update, creating smoother gameplay transitions and more predictable character control. These refinements address common player complaints from the beta periods.
- Vaulting mechanics now respond more consistently during rapid traversal
- General movement smoothness improved across all character archetypes
- First-person animations better synchronize with footstep audio cues
- Enhanced stability when navigating elevators, sky-lifts, and moving platforms
- Improved velocity matching and aerial animations during contestant interactions
- Third-person movement animations receive additional polish passes
- Stabilized ADS camera during reload and bolt-action sequences for better target tracking
- Updated jumping and zipline animations while aiming down sights
- New third-person reaction animations for Flashbang, Gas, and Fire effects
- Completely reworked Charge’N’Slam specialization animations
- Added FOV-based sensitivity scaling for different zoom levels
- Enhanced target sensitivity dampening with various refinements
- Updated default ADS sensitivity reduction values
- Reduced zoom snapping activation duration
- New controller vibration customization settings
- Separate analog stick dead zone configurations
- Additional controller customization options for personalized experience
- Monaco border visibility improvements for better spatial awareness
- Skyway Stadium now features an ‘Evening’ environment condition
- Return of the wrecking ball environmental hazard on crane structures
Specialization & Gadget Updates
Character specializations and tactical gadgets undergo significant rebalancing to create more diverse gameplay options and address balance concerns identified during beta testing.
- Charge’N’Slam: Ground slam damage consistency improved for reliable environmental destruction
- Cloaking Device: Rebalanced fade timing prevents combat disappearing acts, added visual effects
- Grapple Hook: Fixed vaulting interaction bug that caused character stuck states
- Recon Senses: Reduced fuel capacity shortens duration, fixed enemy statue detection issue
- C4: Health increased from 5 to 25 for better survivability
- Defibrillators: Now damage enemies (50 damage) and enter cooldown on successful hits
- Gas Mine: Added audible trigger detection sound
- Glitch Grenade: Fuse time extended to 1.8s for increased effective range
- Night Vision: Temporarily removed for reworking in future update
- Sonar Grenade: Detection radius reduced from 17.5m to 10m, updated hit markers
- Stun Gun: Removed sensitivity reduction, added ability-disabling glitch effect
- Tactical Breach: Health increased from 5 to 25
- Vanishing Bomb: New addition for Light archetype gadget options
- Zipline: Added line break visual effects
- Resolved infinite cooldown bug affecting various gadgets
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