This The Finals tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Light Build | 8.5/10 | Flank, steal cashouts, assassinate then disengage before the team collapses on you. |
| S | Medium Build | 9.5/10 | Stay with the team, heal the Heavy, revive with Defib, control areas with gadgets. |
| S | Heavy Build | 9.5/10 | Lead pushes into cashout sites, shield the team, C4 floors under enemy teams. |
| S | Support Medium | 9.5/10 | Pocket-heal the Heavy, Defib downed teammates instantly, maintain safe positioning. |
| B | Aggressive Light | 7.5/10 | Close distance instantly with Dash, stun and melee kill, escape before retaliation. |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Light Build (A-Tier)
Glass cannon focused on flanking, stealing cashouts, and assassinating isolated targets. 150 HP means you die fast if caught, but Cloaking Device and Grappling Hook provide unmatched mobility. Best for skilled aimers who can win duels quickly.
Best with: XP-54, Cloaking Device, Grappling Hook, Breach Charge, Smoke Grenade Stat focus: Mobility, Stealth, Burst Damage
Medium Build (S-Tier)
The most versatile class with access to the Healing Beam, Recon Senses, and the best all-around weapons. Every team needs at least one Medium. The AKM and FCAR are top-tier weapons that outperform most options at mid-range.
Best with: AKM or FCAR, Healing Beam, Defibrillator, Jump Pad, Gas Grenade Stat focus: Healing Output, Mid-Range Accuracy, Utility
Heavy Build (S-Tier)
The anchor of any team with 350 HP, Dome Shield, and devastating close-range damage. C4 destroys structures instantly and the Charge 'N' Slam creates chaos in cashout fights. Slow but nearly unkillable with Medium support.
Best with: M60 or Lewis Gun, Dome Shield, C4, RPG, Barricade Stat focus: Health Pool, Area Denial, Destruction Capability
Support Medium (S-Tier)
Dedicated healing and utility Medium that prioritizes keeping the team alive over personal kills. Healing Beam plus Defibrillator makes your team nearly impossible to wipe. The backbone of competitive play.
Best with: FCAR, Healing Beam, Defibrillator, Jump Pad, APS Turret Stat focus: Healing Uptime, Positioning, Revive Speed
Aggressive Light (B-Tier)
High-risk Light build that uses Dash and Stun Gun to rush enemies directly. Incredibly lethal against isolated targets but folds against coordinated teams. Feast or famine playstyle that requires exceptional game sense.
Best with: Dagger or Sword, Dash, Stun Gun, Breach Charge, Thermal Vision Stat focus: Close-Range Burst, Mobility, Escape Options
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M60 (Heavy) | Heavy Build | High-capacity LMG with 70 rounds per magazine and consistent damage output. |
| AKM (Medium) | Medium Build | The best all-around assault rifle with high damage per shot and manageable recoil. |
| XP-54 (Light) | Light Build, Aggressive Light | Burst-fire SMG that shreds at close-to-mid range. |
| Lewis Gun (Heavy) | Heavy Build | Alternative to the M60 with higher damage per shot but slower fire rate. |
| FCAR (Medium) | Medium Build, Support Medium | Fast-firing assault rifle that outperforms the AKM at close range due to its higher rate of fire. |
Weapons Analysis
M60 (Heavy): High-capacity LMG with 70 rounds per magazine and consistent damage output. Excels at sustained fire to destroy cover and suppress enemy positions. Recoil is manageable in short bursts. The default meta pick for Heavy builds.
AKM (Medium): The best all-around assault rifle with high damage per shot and manageable recoil. Kills Light in 5 body shots and Medium in 8. First-shot accuracy is excellent, making it dominant at mid-range. Slightly outperformed by FCAR at close range.
XP-54 (Light): Burst-fire SMG that shreds at close-to-mid range. The 3-round burst can headshot-kill a Light in a single trigger pull. Requires good burst timing to maintain accuracy. The meta Light weapon for players with strong aim.
Lewis Gun (Heavy): Alternative to the M60 with higher damage per shot but slower fire rate. Better for players who prefer precision over suppression. The 47-round drum magazine is smaller than the M60 but reloads faster.
FCAR (Medium): Fast-firing assault rifle that outperforms the AKM at close range due to its higher rate of fire. Less controllable at long range but melts targets up close. Pairs well with aggressive Medium playstyles.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in The Finals centers on destruction system and cashout objectives. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.
What's strong right now:
- Light Build with M60 (Heavy) is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- class-based combat builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
- Heavy Build remains essential for learning hard content.
What's underrated:
- Medium Build is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- XP-54 (Light) offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Aggressive Light builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Light Build | M60 (Heavy) | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Medium Build | AKM (Medium) | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Heavy Build | XP-54 (Light) | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Support Medium | Lewis Gun (Heavy) | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Aggressive Light | FCAR (Medium) | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
For full build guides, see The Finals builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.
