update · May 16, 2024
THE FINALS Update 2.8.0 Overhauls Melee Weapons and Adds Glitch Barrels
THE FINALS Update 2.8.0 introduces Glitch Barrels, rebalances melee hit detection and movement, and launches a community elimination event for Terminal Attack.
Update 2.8.0 for THE FINALS focuses heavily on melee weapon feel, quality-of-life improvements, map tweaks, and the final week of Terminal Attack alongside a community milestone event.
Melee Weapon Overhauls
Hit validation and aim assist receive improvements across all melee weapons. Quick melee now features a slightly more generous aim assist and lunge range. Sprinting behavior is adjusted so that attacks only block sprint through parts of a swing rather than the entire duration, and melee attacks no longer cancel the sprint toggle. The Dagger features improved backstab validation with aim assist synchronized to the swing rather than the charge-up start. The Riot Shield raises more quickly after an attack, and the SR-84 is correctly categorized as a Marksman Rifle.
Arena Gadgets and Environment
Glitch Barrels join the Arena rotation as carriable objects that apply Glitch Grenade effects when thrown or shot. The Anti-gravity Cube is now heavier, resisting external pushes, and its lifting speed interactions are fixed to prevent vertical exploit chains. Dome Shield vulnerability to glitches is corrected, and rooftop reflections are improved across all maps. SYS$HORIZON features an earlier automated exit on the Museum entrance zipline, while Monaco Power Shift spawns are adjusted to balance distance to the platform.
Terminal Attack and Game Modes
Terminal Attack adds a distinct audio cue when 15 seconds remain for decryption, and removes the center-screen terminal icon upon decryption start. Weapon and gadget swaps remain restricted to between rounds. Player voice lines now play exclusively for teammates. Interaction responsiveness for ziplines, elevator buttons, and revive statues is improved, and sliding bugs that trapped auto-sprinting players are resolved.
UI and Social Pings
The ping wheel is reorganized, placing support and social pings at the bottom and tactical options on the top half. New pings include Breach here and Hold this Position, replacing Hype and Danger on parts of the wheel. Ping labels are updated to imperative requests like Go here and Defend here. Scoreboards now flip background opacity for dead and alive players, and the UI hide key bind moves from F12 to F10.
Why this patch matters
Update 2.8.0 delivers a massive mechanical pass for melee fighters, valuable environmental additions like Glitch Barrels, and extensive UI polish for team communication.