The Finals Update 11.3.0: Balance Changes, Strike a Pose, and Esports Action

The Finals has released Update 11.3.0, introducing a new store update, Twitch drops, significant balance changes, and a host of bug fixes. The popular 'Strike a Pose' event also makes a return, alongside crucial esports updates.

Store Update: Marshal Meteor Set

The Marshal Meteor Set is now available, allowing players to patrol the GALAXY ESTATES in style. This new cosmetic bundle emphasizes a theme of intergalactic justice.

Event: Strike a Pose Returns

Strike a Pose is back, this time integrated into Team Deathmatch. Eliminating an opponent will now spawn a small dance floor, granting extra cash for players who bust a move in the Arena.

Esports: Two Shows, One Saturday

Cycle 3 of The Finals esports circuit will feature two broadcasts this Saturday. The AMERICAS Top 8 will determine a cycle title and crucial series points, while EMEA plays its Top 16, narrowing down sixteen teams to eight.

AMERICAS sees Unphased leading after winning Cycle 2, with ENVY, Luminon (formerly Team ED), and Kansas City Pioneers also in contention.

In EMEA, Five Fears maintains a significant lead with 175 points, 75 points clear of the competition. The Top 16 stage has historically proven challenging, even for favorites like Cycle 1 champion Teiko.

APAC has HIBOO taking the top spot from KZ by a narrow five-point margin (230 to 225), with DRG at 200 points, setting up a three-way battle for the golden ticket to The Grand Major 2026 in the final Cycle 4.

Sign-ups for Cycle 4 qualifiers are open:

• APAC Sign Up: Qualifiers begin August 8th
• AMERICAS Sign Up: Qualifiers begin August 15th
• EMEA Sign Up: Qualifiers begin August 22nd

Galaxy Estates will also join the map pool for Cycle 4.

ARC x TF: Azimuth Set

Players can now unlock the Azimuth Set in The Finals by playing ARC Raiders. Rewards may take up to 24 hours to be delivered.

Twitch Drops: Showtime Blue Set

Earn the Showtime Blue Set for free by watching any Twitch streamer playing The Finals with Drops Enabled until August 13, 2026:

• Watch 1 hour for the Showtime Blue Spear
• Watch 2 hours for the Showtime Blue Dual Blades
• Watch 4 hours for the Showtime Blue Sword

Game Update: Balance Changes

Gadgets

• C4: Cooldown increased from 30s to 45s. (Dev Note: Aims to reduce C4's high win rate and usage for Heavy archetypes.)

Specializations

• Grappling Hook: Cooldown decreased from 7s to 6s. (Dev Note: A small buff to increase its viability without breaking map pacing.)

Weapons

• BFR: Damage increased from 88 to 90. (Dev Note: To improve its competitiveness among Heavy weapons.)
• Dagger: Increased lunge distance (primary/secondary attacks) from 4.5m to 5m, increased max lunge speed, and slightly increased secondary attack sweep time. (Dev Note: Addresses issues with hitting targets reliably after the 11.0 melee rework.)
• Dual Blades: Increased Precision zone angle from 8 to 9 degrees, increased lunge distance (primary attacks) from 4.5m to 5m, increased max lunge speed, updated Cross Slash to always lunge forward at full stamina, and increased player movement speed during Deflect stance by 25%. (Dev Note: Reverts overly aggressive lunge distance nerfs and movement speed reduction, improving reliability and usability.)
• FAMAS: Damage increased from 23 to 24. (Dev Note: Aims to close the effectiveness gap with other Medium weapons.)
• KS-23: Damage reduced from 110 to 104, increased damage falloff multiplier from 0.64 to 0.675. (Dev Note: The 11.0 buff was too strong; this reduces DPS and breaks some attack combo breakpoints while still being stronger than pre-11.0.)
• Riot Shield: Increased Precision zone angle from 9 to 10 degrees, increased lunge distance (primary attacks) from 4.25m to 5m, increased primary attack damage from 82 to 83, and updated Shield Bash to always lunge forward at full stamina. (Dev Note: Addresses player feedback on power loss post-11.0, reinforcing its role as a defensive anchor weapon.)
• Spear: Increased precise hit damage (primary attacks) from 74 to 82, increased base damage (primary attacks) from 55 to 57, and increased secondary attack sequence damage from 75/100/125 to 75/125/150. (Dev Note: Reverts overly severe damage adjustments from 11.0.)

Game Update: Bug Fixes

Numerous bug fixes have been implemented across Animation, Audio, Cosmetics, Gadgets (Dome Shield), Game Modes (Power Shift, Point Break), Gameplay (bot awareness, movement, object physics, quick melee), Maps (Seoul, Fangwai City, Kyoto, Las Vegas, Nozomi/Citadel, Monaco, Practice Range, Galaxy Estates), Social (Clubs, General, Voice Chat), UI, and VFX.

Anti-Cheat: Elytra Testing Phase

Embark has confirmed the limited testing phase of Elytra, their new in-house anti-cheat solution. Currently, Elytra is installed for most players but not actively enforcing protections. This phase, in collaboration with NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Microsoft, focuses on compatibility, stability, and performance. A future update (targeting 11.6) will clarify its status and begin a gradual rollout to a broader audience.