Embark Studios has released THE FINALS Update 12.3.0, bringing a fresh round of balance changes, bug fixes, and new content ahead of The Grand Major 2026. The update introduces official esports team bundles, a limited-time Event Pass, and the return of the popular Head Hunter mode.
On the gameplay side, several gadgets and weapons have received adjustments, including nerfs to Shockwave, Dome Shield, Healing Emitter, and Flamethrower. There are also improvements to the destruction system, performance, and overall gameplay experience.
In Brief
- THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 introduces TGM26 Esport Bundles, a new Event Pass, and Pick’em predictions.
- Head Hunter LTM returns, alongside new Twitch Drops available until November 26.
- Shockwave, Dome Shield, Healing Emitter, H+ Infuser, and Flamethrower receive balance changes.
- Embark fixes numerous gameplay bugs and improves destruction, performance, and ultrawide monitor support.
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 Brings The Grand Major 2026 Content
The Grand Major 2026 (TGM26) is approaching, with the tournament scheduled for November 27 to 29 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sixteen teams will compete for the championship, and Embark is celebrating the occasion with several in-game additions.
TGM26 Esport Bundles Are Now Available
Players can now purchase official Esport Bundles representing all 16 participating teams.
Each bundle includes:
- One full team outfit
- Three equipment skins
- Team-specific VFX
- One emote
- A charm, sticker, and spray
- One Player Card
The participating teams are Aimerz+, Alliance, Ape Squad, Elevate, ENVY, Five Fears, FYR, KCP, KingZero, LUMINON, Moon Theory, Nfinite, NTMR, RAD, Take Flyte, and Vanguard.
TGM26 Event Pass Features 16 Reward Levels
A new TGM26 Event Pass is also available for purchase with Multibucks.
The pass features two pages containing 16 reward levels, including a Legendary outfit, weapon skins, and other cosmetics.
While the Event Pass is only available to purchase for a limited time, players who acquire it can complete its progression at their own pace.
TGM26 Pick’em Predictions and Rewards
Players can participate in TGM26 Pick’em by predicting how the tournament will unfold.
The prediction challenge has three sections:
- Predict the five teams that will reach The Throne on Day 3, in their qualification order.
- Predict how the crowns will be distributed.
- Answer 10 tournament-related questions in the Hot Seat with Scotty and June.
Completing all three sections makes players eligible for exclusive badges based on their prediction accuracy.
| Badge | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Silver | Complete all three sections |
| Gold | Finish in the top 50% |
| Platinum | Finish in the top 25% |
| Diamond | Finish in the top 5% |
Pick’em runs from November 12 at 11:00 CET to November 27 at 00:00 CET. Players must log in using their Embark ID and can submit their predictions only once.
Head Hunter Limited-Time Mode Returns
The popular Head Hunter LTM is making a comeback in Update 12.3.0.
In this mode, the player with the most eliminations on each team receives a bounty. Eliminating a marked player causes them to drop coins that other contestants can collect.
Players must survive until the event ends to secure their cash.
The mode rewards aggressive gameplay while forcing the strongest eliminators to constantly watch their backs.
New Stream Tangerine Twitch Drops
Embark has also introduced another round of Stream Tangerine Twitch Drops.
Players can unlock three weapon skins by watching THE FINALS streams with Drops Enabled on Twitch.
| Watch Time | Reward |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | Stream Tangerine Dagger |
| 2 hours | Stream Tangerine CB-01 Repeater |
| 4 hours | Stream Tangerine SA1216 |
These Twitch Drops are available until November 26, 2026.
The in-game Store has also received two new cosmetic collections, the CTRL + Z Set and Greater Good Set.
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 Balance Changes
The latest update introduces several notable changes to gadgets, weapons, and specializations.
Shockwave Receives Major Nerfs
Shockwave is one of the biggest targets of this update following its increased popularity after receiving the Glitch effect.
Its changes include:
- Building connection damage: Reduced from 3,000 to 1,000.
- Cooldown: Increased from 12 to 15 seconds.
- Glitch duration: Reduced from 2 to 1 second.
These changes should make Shockwave less frustrating to fight against while reducing its ability to repeatedly disrupt enemies.
Embark also confirmed that a more substantial Shockwave rework is being developed, with the goal of making its Glitch effect more skill-based before the season ends.
Dome Shield Health Reduced
Dome Shield has received another nerf after its previous adjustments in Update 12.0.
- Maximum health: Reduced from 600 to 400.
- Health decay per second: Reduced from 100 to 66.
The shield should now be easier to destroy with direct damage, while its full duration when left undamaged remains unchanged.
Healing Emitter and H+ Infuser Nerfed
Embark is reducing the effectiveness of two healing gadgets to give the Healing Beam a stronger role within the Medium Build.
Healing Emitter
- Maximum healing per second reduced from 20 to 15.
H+ Infuser
- Healing per shot reduced from 10 to 7.
- Ammunition increased from 20 to 30.
The H+ Infuser can now deliver less healing per shot, requiring players to maintain accuracy over a longer period.
Translocator Gets a Deployment Delay
Translocator now has a 0.3-second deployment time, increased from its previous instant deployment.
This should give opponents a little more time to react when facing Translocator users.
Embark is also working on a larger Translocator rework expected later this season.
Flamethrower Nerfed, Cerberus Burning Improved
Fire-based weapons have received adjustments alongside changes to the burning status effect.
Flamethrower
- Impact damage reduced from 30 to 26.
- Heat gained per tick reduced from 50 to 25.
Cerberus
- Heat gained per pellet increased from 3.38 to 8.46.
The Flamethrower will now take longer to ignite enemies, while the Cerberus should apply heat more effectively.
Burning Status Effect Changes
Embark has adjusted how burning damage works.
- Contestant heat thresholds have been increased.
- Burning can now deal one additional damage tick.
- Damage per burning tick reduced from 16 to 15.
- Maximum possible burning damage increased from 32 to 45.
These changes aim to make fire damage more consistent across different situations.
Burning Oil Barrels also have a slightly larger heat radius.
Breaching Gadgets Improved
The C4, Breach Charge, and Breach Drill have received environmental damage adjustments.
These changes should make the gadgets more reliable at destroying surfaces following issues introduced with the new destruction system in Update 12.0.
The Breach Drill’s blast and flash radii have also been realigned to match more accurately.
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 Gameplay Changes and Bug Fixes
Alongside the balance adjustments, Embark has addressed a long list of gameplay issues.
Some of the most important changes include:
- Quick Cash: Players can now play Quick Cash with bots.
- Solo Showdown: Qualifying for the next round now rewards Fans and XP.
- Game Show Events: Events now begin at four minutes instead of two, with their duration reduced from five minutes to three.
- Mimic Device: Disguised players can no longer be targeted by aim assist or Orbital Lasers.
- Cashout Stations: Fixed several issues involving Cash Boxes clipping through walls, bouncing away from stations, or becoming inaccessible.
- Reviving: Fixed interruptions caused by nearby obstacles, Jump Pads, and certain interactions with Revive Statues.
- True Sight: Players can now ping cloaked enemies revealed by True Sight.
- Oil Barrels: Fixed the unintended instant explosions when burning barrels were thrown.
- Flamethrower: Fixed an issue that could prevent the weapon from igniting objects after extended use.
- Smoke: Flashbangs and several triggered barrels no longer clear smoke.
- Backstabs: Improved hit detection when attacking enemies from their left side.
- Charge ‘N’ Slam: Heavy Builds can now break low overhead obstructions when activating the specialization while crouched.
The Oil Barrel fix is particularly important, as Embark confirmed that the extremely powerful instant explosions introduced in Update 12.0 were unintended.
Performance Improvements and AMD FSR 4.1.1 Support
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 also includes several performance optimizations.
The main improvements include:
- Updated AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution to version 4.1.1.
- Optimized global illumination for better performance.
- Reduced unnecessary video redraws during full-screen transitions.
- Fixed severe stuttering when using a controller and keyboard simultaneously.
- Improved performance in the Practice Range.
- Improved ambient occlusion to reduce ghosting and flickering.
Ultrawide monitor users also receive improved display support. The game now removes black bars on wider displays and extends the scene to fill the available screen space, while keeping the interface at 16:9.
Map, UI, and Quality-of-Life Improvements
Several maps have received minor fixes to improve collision, destruction, and navigation.
These include:
- Kyoto: Fixed floating objects, an invisible obstacle caused by a lamppost, and updated temple doors with breakable window panels.
- Las Vegas Stadium: Improved destruction behavior for casino structures and canopies.
- Seoul: Fixed collision issues with rooftop ventilation units and a pipe.
- Bernal: Fixed missing debris piles after destroying buildings.
- NOZOMI/Citadel: Fixed floating metal stairs after destruction.
- Skyway Stadium: Adjusted environmental objects and Team Deathmatch boundaries.
- Fortune Stadium: Fixed billboard collision that allowed unintended player positioning.
UI improvements include faster application of settings, clearer Steal and Revive progress indicators, improved scoreboard behavior, and smoother navigation through customization menus.
The Social tab now refreshes in real time, making party information more accurate during matches.
Embark has also fixed various audio, animation, cosmetic, contract, and stability issues, including an Xbox startup problem that could cause the game to hang or close unexpectedly.
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 Is Now Live
THE FINALS Update 12.3.0 brings plenty of content for players preparing for The Grand Major 2026, but its balance changes could have an even bigger impact on everyday matches.
The Shockwave nerfs should reduce its dominance among Medium Builds, while the healing gadget adjustments encourage players to reconsider their support setups. The changes to burning mechanics and breaching gadgets should also make combat and environmental destruction more predictable.
With Head Hunter returning, new esports cosmetics, and several long-standing bugs addressed, there’s plenty to check out before TGM26 begins on November 27.
