The Finals: Every Melee Weapon, Ranked

Players can finally dive into the destruction and mayhem promised by The Finals, a frantic FPS that is dynamically changing based on the players’ actions. With three classes and a range of powerful weapons to swap between, wrecking environments and eliminating one’s foes has never been easier. In addition to the traditional firearms that fans have come to expect from popular FPS games, there’s the inclusion of some hard-hitting melee weapons to keep the intensity up even in close-quarter combat.

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The ranked comparison below analyzes every melee weapon currently in The Finals to make sure every newcomer is well acquainted with the utility of each to maximize their cashout!

4 Dagger

Rewarding Stealth Executions

The Dagger is a weapon that can be equipped by the light class and is unlocked for 800 VRs, the in-game currency. The damage output is moderate as standard swipes of the knife will bring the enemy down in three body hits for the light-class opposition, five for the medium class, and seven for the heavy class. Of course, this is not the approach any dagger user should take since lingering around too long without a confirmed kill will not go well for the player.

Instead, players can sneak up behind their foes to take them out with a single charged stab to the back of their heads. This is best achieved by activating the Cloaking Device specialization, which allows the player to turn invisible momentarily. This turn of events is highly circumstantial, and it renders the dagger a weak weapon in most situations where sneaking around is not an option. The dagger also has a very stubby range, even though it was marginally improved with balance updates. Ultimately, only if players are up for that sweet opportunity of a stealth attack will the Dagger reap instant rewards.

3 Riot Shield

Wall Of Destruction

The Riot Shield is unlocked by spending 800 VRs in The Finals and is accessible to the medium class. Apart from the defensive utility that protects the user from incoming projectiles, The Riot Shield also comes with a baton that deals a great deal of damage. Swinging twice on the light class or thrice on the medium class opponents will mark their death. However, it may take up to five body shots on heavy-class foes before they are executed.

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This damage profile puts the Riot Shield among the more powerful melee weapons in the game, but this comes at the expense of a slow attack speed. There are no particular specializations that enhance the use of the Riot Shield, nor do any gadgets of the medium class facilitate the baton swing. It all depends on the patience of the player and their grit in leading the offense via the defensive posture before drawing out the baton to deal damage when they can. Unlike the Dagger, the Riot Shield can still be utilized with more freedom and deals more damage per strike, so there’s more reward for every risk players take.

2 Sledgehammer

Mighty Force With Each Swing

The Sledgehammer is unlocked by default and needs no additional requirements before being used. It is exclusive to the heavy class, and rightfully so because of the huge damage it can dish out with each swing. It is comparable to the Riot Shield in its damage output, where two and three body shots will put down light and medium-class opponents, respectively. The heavy-class enemies will require four swings of the Sledgehammer, one less than that of the Riot Shield. Its attack speed is also slightly lower than the Riot Shield, making the Sledgehammer the slowest melee weapon in the game.

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However, unlike the Riot Shield, the Sledgehammer can be charged in midair, while rushing, or just from a neutral stance to deal extra damage to the enemy. This charged strike will one-shot light-class enemies but will take two shots at medium and heavy-class enemies alike. Moreover, with its generous hitbox, the long-reaching hammer swings can take out enemies from a decent range. The utility of the Sledgehammer is not only limited to dealing damage to enemies, but it can also break through walls and obstacles with a few strikes. Every calculated strike can be lethal, so players are advised to time their swings and couple this powerful melee weapon with the Charge ‘N’ Slam specialization to close down distance and wreak havoc.

1 Sword

Quick & Lethal Strikes

Players can channel their inner samurai by wielding this high-attack-speed, high-damage Sword that can be unlocked for 800 VRs. It’s another alternative melee weapon that light-class users can equip. The Sword outperforms the Dagger, the other light-class melee weapon, in its damage numbers when targeting body shots. Although it is marginally slower than the dagger, the Sword has a much longer range with each swing, and it is capable of striking two nearby foes in a wide arch. Moreover, unlike the other melee weapons, the Sword does not require its users to compromise their maneuverability in the slightest.

The light class, possessing the fastest movement speed, is already the best option for players who wish to target a melee build. Additionally, by wielding the Sword, players can close down distance quickly and dish out decent damage thanks to its lunging attack that will two-shot light and medium-class enemies and take up to three shots on heavy-class combatants. Moreover, the Evasive Dash and Grappling Hook specializations of the light class also add more pace and movement freedom, which goes very well with the quick strikes of the Sword. These strengths and synergy with the light class make the Sword the best melee weapon in The Finals.

The Finals

Developer(s)

Embark Studios

Publisher(s)

Embark Studios