The Finals Contestants: All builds explained

The Finals is an action-packed multiplayer shooter from Embark Studios. The game allows you to choose multiple classes called Contestants and if you’re wondering about the builds and their unique abilities in The Finals, here’s everything you need to know.

Embark Studios dropped The Finals for everyone to enjoy on December 7, following its massive success during the open beta. The shooter is themed like a game show, with fast-paced and chaotic combat, that includes plenty of destructible environments.

However, what sets The Finals apart from the usual FPS titles are the character builds, allowing you to set your loadout by changing weapons, gadgets, and specializations.

With that in mind, we’ve explained all the builds in The Finals, and knowing this can help you get a head start in the game.

• The Finals: All builds explained
  • The Finals: Light Build
  • The Finals: Medium Build
  • The Finals: Heavy Build

The Finals: All builds explained

The Finals has a total of three builds or Contestants. Each class comes with its own weapons, abilities, and gadgets that help freshen out their play style. Whether you like dashing around the map quickly or being a hulking heavy with big weapons, The Finals has you covered.

Here are the Builds in The Finals explained:

The Finals: Light Build

The Light Contestant or ‘Light Build‘ in The Finals is all about speed and mobility. The Light Build has the smallest hitbox of all classes but also has the least amount of health. Players who prefer close-range encounters can opt for this class. Its weapons and abilities also emphasize close-range fights and quick movement.

Specializations:

• Cloak Device – “A temporary cloak that makes you hard to see when moving, and invisible when motionless.”
• Grappling Hook – “A cord with a hook you can launch to scale structures and swing past walls. Also handy for a quick escapes during combat.”
• Evasive Dash – “A few quick dashes to close distance or dodge out of harm’s way.”

Weapons:

• M11 (Pistol)
• SR-84 (Sniper Rifle)
• Dagger (Melee)
• LH1 (Battle Rifle)
• SH1900 (Shotgun)
• Sword (Melee)
• Throwing Knives (Projectile weapon)
• V9S (Pistol)
• XP-54 (SMG)

Gadgets:

• Vanishing Bomb: “Thrown projectile that cloaks your teammates for a short duration when detonated.”
• Breach Charge: “Highly destructive deployable explosive that can be remotely detonated.”
• Pyro Grenade: “Thrown projectile that starts a fire in the area where it explodes; contestants in an area that is burning will take damage.”
• Frag Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes shortly after release; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Goo Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes into several blobs of goo, which solidify on impact; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Smoke Grenade: “Thrown projectile that emits smoke when it explodes, blocking lines of sight and extinguishing fire.”
• Gas Grenade: “Thrown projectile that emits a cloud of toxic gas; contestants take damage while exposed to toxic gas.”
• Glitch Grenade: “Thrown projectile that disables specializations and gadgets, glitches contestants’ screens, and disables powered objects in the affected area.”
• Flashbang: “Thrown projectile that disorients, blinds, and deafens nearby players; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Thermal Vision: “Reveals heat signatures.”
• Motion Sensor: “Deployable sensor that sticks to a surface and tracks opponents and ranges through walls; can be triggered multiple times.”
• Stun Gun: “Fires electrified wires at close range, immobilizing a hit opponent.”

The Finals: Medium Build

The Medium class or ‘Medium Build‘ in The Finals prioritizes balance in all departments. It has average health and mobility and provides plenty of versatility as a result. The weapons and abilities available for selection are ideal for mid-range combat encounters.

Abilities:

• Healing Beam: “A beam that gives health directly to another teammate.”
• Guardian Turret: “Deployable AI-controlled assault rifle.”
• Recon Senses: “A sensory enhancement that makes opponents visible through structures for a limited time. Weakens as distance increases.”

Weapons:

• R.357 (Revolver)
• Model 1887 (Shotgun)
• AKM (Assault Rifle)
• CL-40 (Grenade Launcher)
• FCAR (Assault Rifle)
• Riot Shield (Protective shield/melee)

Gadgets:

• Goo Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes into several blobs of goo, which solidify on impact; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Frag Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes shortly after release; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Sonar Grenade: “Thrown projectile that emits several pulses, tracking affected contestants through walls.”
• Pyro Grenade: “Thrown projectile that starts a fire in the area where it explodes; contestants in an area that is burning will take damage.”
• Gas Grenade: “Thrown projectile that emits a cloud of toxic gas; contestants take damage while exposed to toxic gas.”
• Flashbang: “Thrown projectile that disorients, blinds, and deafens nearby players; can be thrown underhand or overhand.
• Tracking Dart: “Fires a projectile that tracks hit opponents through walls.”
• Glitch Trap: “Deployable that sticks to a surface; when triggered, it disables specializations and gadgets and glitches screens (can be triggered multiple times).”
• APS Turret: “Deployable that shoots down and destroys enemy projectiles.”
• Gas Mine: “Emits toxic gas when triggered; contestants take damage while exposed to toxic gas.”
• Explosive Mine: “Explodes when triggered.”
• Zipline: “Fires at a targeted surface and anchors a rope that can be used to traverse arenas easily.”
• Jump Pad: “Trampoline-like deployable; allows for high jumps.”
• Defibrillator: “When charged, can be used on fallen teammates’ statues to revive them instantly.”

The Finals: Heavy Build

As the name suggests, the Heavy class or ‘Heavy Build‘ in The Finals is a tank-like Contestant with tons of health and big weapons. Naturally, its mobility takes a massive hit as it moves at a slow pace. The Build also has the biggest hitbox but the damage your weapons dish out helps compensate for it.

Abilities:

• Charge ‘N’ Slam: “A charge to propel you forward to break through walls and obstacles comma or to slam the ground if activated in the air. Deals damage to opponents.”
• Goo Gun: “Shoots blobs of goo that solidify on impact; useful for creating defenses.”
• Mesh Shield: “A projected shield that blocks from the front only, creating a shoot-through cover for teammates.”

Weapons:

• M60 (LMG)
• Sledgehammer (Melee)
• SA1216 (Shotgun)
• Lewis Gun (LMG)
• MGL32 (Grenade Launcher)
• Flamethrower (Heavy)

Gadgets:

• Barricade: “Highly durable shields that are perfect for fortifying an area.”
• RPG-7: “Fires long-range, high-explosive missiles that detonate on impact.”
• Pyro Grenade: “Thrown projectile that starts a fire in the area where it explodes; contestants in an area that is burning will take damage.”
• Goo Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes into several blobs of goo, which solidify on impact; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Frag Grenade: “Thrown projectile that explodes shortly after release; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Gas grenade: “Thrown projectile that emits a cloud of toxic gas; contestants take damage while exposed to toxic gas.”
• Flashbang: “Thrown projectile that disorients, blinds, and deafens nearby players; can be thrown underhand or overhand.”
• Pyro Mine: “Explodes when triggered, setting fire to the immediate area; contestants in an area that is burning will take damage.”
• Explosive Mine: “Explodes when triggered.”
• C4: “Highly destructive deployable explosive that can be remotely detonated.”
• Dome Shield: “Projects a semi-transparent bubble that provides 360-degree protection for a short time.”

Those were all the Builds in The Finals explained. For more on upcoming FPS titles, check out our Modern Warfare 3 guides:

Best The Finals PC settings: High FPS, resolution, graphics, more | How to add & invite friends in The Finals | Best The Finals controller settings: Controller layout, sensitivity, aim assist, more | Is The Finals on PlayStation 4 & Xbox One? | The Finals: How to use Reserve loadout to switch weapon & Gadgets | The Finals: Best melee builds for Light, Medium & Heavy Contestants | The Finals: How to change your name