Hey everyone, Elias from RivalSector.com here. I have practically lived in the new “Data-Kyoto” arena since Season 8: Cybernetic Dawn dropped, and I can tell you one thing for sure: the weapon meta has been completely rewritten. The big balance patch that came with the season was no joke. It tweaked recoil, adjusted damage drop-off, and re-shuffled the arsenal’s hierarchy. Your old reliable loadout from last season might be what is holding you back from climbing The Finals ranks.
If you are looking for a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point guide on the absolute best weapons to use right now, you have come to the right place. I have put in the hours, crunched the numbers, and seen what the top players are running. This is the definitive breakdown of the S-Tier, must-use weapons for every class in Season 8.
Light Build: The Close-Range Menace
The Light build is all about speed, aggression, and a lightning-fast Time-To-Kill (TTK). In Season 8, the name of the game is closing the distance and melting your target before they can react. For that, one weapon stands head and shoulders above the rest.
The Meta Pick: M11 Submachine Gun
The M11 is, without a doubt, the king of close-quarters combat this season. Its almost unrivaled rate of fire means that if you get the drop on someone within 15 meters, you will win that fight. The Season 8 patch gave it a more predictable vertical recoil pattern, which means a little practice with recoil control turns this thing into a laser beam. On a map like Data-Kyoto, with its endless tight corridors and sharp corners, an M11 player with a Grappling Hook is the most terrifying thing you can face. It allows you to get in, secure an elimination on a key target like a Medium healer, and get out before the enemy team can collapse on you.
Honorable Mention: LH1
If you have exceptional aim and prefer to keep your distance, the LH1 semi-automatic rifle is a viable, high-skill alternative. It rewards precision with heavy damage, allowing you to three-tap Medium builds from afar. However, its unforgiving nature means the M11 is the more consistent and dominant choice for the majority of engagements.
Medium Build: The Foundation of the Team
The Medium build is the core of any successful team, and its strength lies in versatility. The biggest meta shakeup for this class was the introduction of a new SMG, giving players a critical choice between a traditional assault rifle and a new close-range shredder.
The Meta Pick (Aggression): P90
Embark Studios threw a massive curveball by adding the P90 for the Medium class, and it has completely changed the game. This weapon is a CQC buzzsaw. With an insane rate of fire and a massive 50-round magazine, the P90 allows Medium players to adopt a much more aggressive, flanking playstyle. It excels at clearing rooms and punishing teams that are grouped too tightly on an objective. Its hip-fire accuracy is surprisingly good, making it a monster in chaotic, up-close scrambles where aiming down sights is not an option. If you love to push the fight and get in the enemy’s face, the new P90 is your best friend.
The Meta Pick (Versatility): AKM
The AKM remains the reliable workhorse and a top-tier meta choice. While the P90 dominates up close, the AKM is far superior at mid-range engagements. Its manageable recoil and solid damage profile make it the perfect all-rounder for a Medium who needs to support their team from multiple ranges. The 36-round magazine provides enough ammo to win sustained fights and apply pressure from a safe distance. If you prefer a more traditional, flexible support role, the AKM is still one of the best and most consistent weapons in the entire game.
To make the choice easier, here is a direct comparison:
| Feature | P90 | AKM |
| Strengths | Huge Magazine, Extreme Fire Rate, CQC Dominance | Versatile Range, Good Damage, Forgiving Recoil |
| Weaknesses | Heavy Damage Falloff, Poor at Range | Lower Fire Rate, Outclassed in CQC |
| Ideal Role | Aggressive Flanker, Room Clearing | All-Round Support, Mid-Range Anchor |
| Best For | Players who push objectives hard | Flexible players who adapt to the fight |
Heavy Build: The Unstoppable Force
The Heavy’s role is to smash through defenses and control space. This season, the Heavy meta is split between two very different but equally powerful weapons that define how you dominate the arena.
The Meta Pick (Objective Control): SA1216
If you want to own the objective, the SA1216 automatic shotgun is your tool. Inside a building or within the tight confines of a cashout station, this weapon is simply unbeatable. Its ability to fire off its entire magazine in a rapid burst can delete an entire enemy team before they even realize what hit them. The strategy is simple: use your RPG to blow a hole in a wall, charge in with your Mesh Shield up, and clear the room with the SA1216. Its only weakness is its range, but since most fights happen on the objective, this shotgun dominates the scenarios that matter most.
The Meta Pick (Area Denial): Lewis Gun
The Lewis Gun has reclaimed its throne as the best LMG in Season 8. A recent patch tightened its initial bullet spread, making the first 5-10 shots incredibly accurate. This allows a skilled Heavy to challenge Mediums with assault rifles at mid-range. Its massive magazine is perfect for locking down entire lanes and suppressing enemy pushes, giving your team the space to move up or secure a cashout. Pair the Lewis Gun with a Dome Shield, and you can turn any open space into a fortified position that is nearly impossible to attack. It is the ultimate weapon for controlling sightlines and denying huge portions of the map to the enemy.
Lock In Your Loadout
The Season 8 meta is all about choosing the right tool for the job. You can’t just run one loadout and expect to succeed in every situation. You need to understand the strengths of these S-Tier weapons and leverage them to give your team the edge.
To summarize the absolute top-tier choices:
- Light: The M11 for aggressive, close-range dominance.
- Medium: The P90 for aggressive CQC or the AKM for all-around versatility.
- Heavy: The SA1216 for clearing objectives or the Lewis Gun for locking down the map.
Mastering these weapons will be a huge step towards victory, but never forget that they are only part of the equation. Teamwork, communication, and smart gadget play will always be what separates the contenders from the champions.
What weapons are you finding success with in Season 8? Did your favorite make my list? Let me know your go-to loadouts in the comments section below. For more in-depth guides and analysis on The Finals and other top games, make sure you stay tuned to our Gaming Insights category right here on RivalSector.com. Now get in there and show them what you have got.
