Overview of Update 12.2.0
The developers of THE FINALS have deployed server-side adjustments for the Medium archetype in Update 12.2.0. These changes are designed to address two primary concerns: improving the Medium class's effectiveness in duels against Light contestants—who currently possess 175 HP—and expanding the variety of tracking-aim weapon options available to Medium players. These updates do not require a client-side patch, as they are implemented directly on the server.
Weapon Balance Adjustments
The adjustments focus on three specific weapons: the AKM, the Chimera-XB, and the FCAR. The FCAR, in particular, has been modified to function as a slower-firing, higher-damage weapon, distinguishing it further from the AKM. The development team stated that while Light contestants continue to lag behind other archetypes across various skill tiers, they opted to adjust the Medium archetype's weapons rather than nerf Light equipment. This approach aims to balance the specific match-up between these two classes while maintaining the current defensive capabilities of the Heavy archetype.
| Weapon | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| AKM | Ammo count increased from 34 to 36 |
| Chimera-XB | Damage increased from 47 to 48; Rate of fire increased from 260 RPM to 280 RPM |
| FCAR | Damage increased from 23 to 25; Rate of fire decreased from 530 RPM to 500 RPM; Ammo count decreased from 25 to 20 |
These changes are intended to provide Medium players with more viable tracking aim options. By shifting the FCAR back toward its earlier design—slower firing but more punchy—the developers aim to create a clearer distinction between it and the AKM. Because these are server-side tweaks, players will see these changes reflected in their loadouts immediately without needing to download new game files or update their client.
Current patch compared with the previous update
| Official update | Published | Words | Fix terms | Balance terms | Addition terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Update 12.2.0 | 2026-11-05 10:00 UTC | 497 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Update 12.1.0 | 2026-10-29 10:00 UTC | 1479 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Future Updates
Players should anticipate further balance changes in the upcoming Update 12.3. These future adjustments are intended to complement the changes introduced in 12.2.0. The developers have indicated that these upcoming changes are being developed in support of the current set of adjustments, though they chose to release the current weapon tweaks immediately rather than waiting for the full 12.3 patch cycle.
Limitations
This report is based on official developer communications regarding Update 12.2.0. The effectiveness of these weapon adjustments in altering player win rates or the overall game meta is not yet established by empirical data. The information provided reflects developer intent and stated numerical changes rather than independent gameplay testing or performance analysis. The specific nature of the upcoming 12.3 balance changes remains unconfirmed, and the impact of these adjustments on the Medium versus Light match-up is based on developer projections rather than observed player behavior.
Methodology
This report compares the official patch notes from Update 12.2.0 and 12.1.0, focusing on weapon balance adjustments and developer intent. The analysis is limited to the provided official text and does not include independent gameplay testing. The artifact table provides a comparison of the two updates based on word count and the frequency of specific terminology used in the official announcements.
Confirmed evidence
- The AKM ammo count has been increased from 34 to 36.
- The Chimera-XB damage has been increased from 47 to 48.
- The Chimera-XB rate of fire has been increased from 260 RPM to 280 RPM.
- The FCAR damage has been increased from 23 to 25.
- The FCAR rate of fire has been decreased from 530 RPM to 500 RPM.
- The FCAR ammo count has been decreased from 25 to 20.