War Thunder stands as one of the most ambitious military combat simulators ever created, throwing players into authentic World War II and Cold War battles across air, land, and sea. This free-to-play juggernaut features over 2,000 historically accurate vehicles from 10 major nations, each meticulously modeled down to armor thickness and engine specifications.
The game's complexity can overwhelm newcomers, but mastering its layered systems rewards you with some of the most satisfying combat experiences in gaming. Whether you're piloting a Spitfire through London's skies or commanding a Tiger tank across the Eastern Front, War Thunder demands tactical thinking, mechanical knowledge, and split-second decision-making.
Table of Contents
- Core Game Modes
- Battle Rating System
- Nation Trees and Vehicle Progression
- Research and Modification System
- Combat Mechanics That Matter
- Economy and Currency Systems
- Getting Started Successfully
Core Game Modes
War Thunder splits into three distinct combat domains, each with unique mechanics and strategies.
Air Battles pit fighters, bombers, and attackers against each other in dynamic dogfights. Arcade mode simplifies flight physics and adds lead indicators, perfect for action-packed combat. Realistic battles remove most assists while maintaining simplified damage models. Simulator mode demands full aircraft control with cockpit-only view and realistic physics.
Ground Forces combines tank combat with close air support in combined arms warfare. Your War Thunder tank guide experience begins with learning armor penetration mechanics, weak spots, and positioning. Each tank has detailed armor modeling where shot placement determines survival. A 75mm shell might bounce harmlessly off angled frontal armor but penetrate the side plate completely.
Naval Combat features everything from patrol boats to battleships. Torpedo runs, naval artillery duels, and coastal defense missions create varied gameplay experiences. Though less popular than air and ground modes, naval battles offer unique tactical challenges.
Mixed battles combine all three domains. Tank commanders call in air strikes while fighter pilots provide close air support, creating War Thunder's most complex and rewarding gameplay experience.
Battle Rating System
War Thunder's battle rating system determines matchmaking and progression difficulty. Each vehicle receives a BR from 1.0 to 11.7, with higher numbers indicating more advanced technology and capabilities.
The system prevents a 1940s Panzer III from facing a 1970s Leopard tank. Your highest BR vehicle determines your match bracket, typically spanning 1.0 BR points. A 5.7 tank might face opponents from 4.7 to 6.7, depending on queue populations.
Understanding BR compression becomes crucial for competitive play. Some vehicles perform better when uptiered, while others struggle against higher-BR opponents. The famous Tiger I at BR 5.7 dominates against 4.7 vehicles but faces serious threats when uptiered to 6.7 matches.
Battle rating affects more than matchmaking. Higher BR battles offer increased research points and silver lions but demand premium ammunition, expensive repairs, and skilled opponents. Check our War Thunder tier list for vehicle rankings across different battle ratings.
Nation Trees and Vehicle Progression
Ten nations offer distinct technological paths and combat doctrines. Your War Thunder nations guide choices significantly impact gameplay experience and grinding efficiency.
Germany excels at precision engineering with excellent optics, accurate guns, and robust armor. German tanks like the Tiger series and Panther feature thick frontal armor but vulnerable sides. The Luftwaffe offers some of War Thunder's best planes, including the legendary Bf 109 and Fw 190 series.
Soviet Union emphasizes reliability and mass production. T-34 tanks combine sloped armor, mobility, and adequate firepower. Soviet aircraft prioritize durability and heavy armament over maneuverability. The nation excels at mid-tier gameplay with iconic vehicles like the IL-2 Sturmovik.
United States brings technological superiority and diverse vehicle options. Sherman tanks offer excellent gun depression and versatility. American aircraft feature powerful engines, heavy armament, and advanced electronics. Late-war jets and modern tanks showcase technological dominance.
Britain focuses on unconventional solutions and excellent optics. British tanks often feature unique mechanics like two-plane stabilizers and APDS ammunition. The RAF provides excellent interceptors and ground attack aircraft.
Each nation requires different tactics and priorities. Germans emphasize long-range engagements, while Soviets prefer close combat. Americans adapt to various situations, and British forces exploit technological advantages.
Research and Modification System
Vehicle progression follows a structured research tree requiring Research Points (RP) earned through combat performance. Destroying enemies, capturing objectives, and supporting teammates generates RP based on battle outcome and vehicle efficiency.
Each vehicle requires specific RP amounts for unlock. Rank I vehicles cost 1,000-6,000 RP, while top-tier vehicles demand 390,000+ RP. Premium account doubles RP gain and provides additional benefits worth considering for serious players.
Modifications improve vehicle performance through four categories: Firepower, Protection, Mobility, and Survivability. Essential modifications include Parts (field repairs), FPE (fire extinguisher), and ammunition upgrades. Advanced modifications add night vision, thermal sights, and reactive armor.
Modification research follows tier structure. You must unlock Tier I modifications before accessing Tier II options. Priority modifications depend on vehicle type and playstyle. Tank destroyers prioritize firepower improvements, while light tanks benefit from mobility upgrades.
Our War Thunder grinding guide explains optimal research strategies and RP farming techniques for faster progression.
Combat Mechanics That Matter
War Thunder's realistic damage modeling creates tactical depth beyond simple health bars. Understanding these mechanics separates skilled players from cannon fodder.
Armor Penetration calculations consider shell velocity, impact angle, and armor composition. Angled armor increases effective thickness dramatically. A 100mm plate angled at 30 degrees provides roughly 115mm protection. Shot traps can deflect shells into thinner armor sections, creating unexpected penetrations.
Aircraft Damage affects control surfaces, engines, and pilot survivibility separately. Wing damage reduces maneuverability while engine damage affects climb rate and speed. Pilot snipes end fights instantly, while fuel tank hits create fire hazards.
Crew Skills significantly impact vehicle performance. Experienced crews reload faster, spot enemies earlier, and survive damage better. Crew training costs silver lions but provides permanent benefits across all vehicles in that crew slot.
Ammunition Types serve different purposes. Armor-piercing rounds penetrate thick armor but cause limited internal damage. High-explosive shells devastate light armor and aircraft. Specialized rounds like HEAT-FS ignore armor slopes but perform poorly against spaced armor.
Economy and Currency Systems
War Thunder uses multiple currencies creating economic complexity that affects progression speed and gameplay enjoyment.
Silver Lions (SL) purchase vehicles, modifications, crew training, and ammunition. SL income depends on battle performance, with bonuses for victories, kills, and objectives. Repair costs vary dramatically between vehicles, with some high-tier aircraft costing 20,000+ SL per death.
Golden Eagles (GE) represent premium currency purchased with real money. GE accelerates progression through vehicle purchases, modification unlocks, and crew training. Conservative GE spending on premium account time provides better value than individual vehicle purchases.
Research Points unlock new vehicles and modifications. RP gain receives bonuses from premium account, premium vehicles, and battle performance. Daily missions and special events provide additional RP rewards.
Vehicle operating costs create economic pressure at higher tiers. A single death in an expensive jet or main battle tank can eliminate profits from multiple successful battles. Our War Thunder tips section covers economic management strategies.
Getting Started Successfully
New players face overwhelming choices but following proven strategies accelerates learning and enjoyment. Start with Arcade battles for simplified mechanics and faster-paced action. The reduced complexity lets you focus on basic tactics without worrying about advanced flight modeling or ballistics calculations.
Choose one nation initially to concentrate research points effectively. Germany offers excellent beginner tanks with straightforward mechanics, while the Soviet Union provides forgiving aircraft with durability advantages. Avoid spreading research across multiple nations until you understand progression mechanics.
Focus on essential modifications before unlocking new vehicles. A fully upgraded lower-tier tank often outperforms a stock higher-tier vehicle. Parts and FPE modifications deserve immediate priority for survivability.
Learn weak spots and effective tactics for your chosen vehicles. Each tank has optimal engagement ranges and positioning requirements. The Panzer IV excels at medium range with its excellent gun, while the T-34 prefers close combat where its sloped armor shines.
Check our comprehensive War Thunder beginners guide for detailed starting strategies and common mistake avoidance. Understanding these core systems provides the foundation for War Thunder mastery and opens paths to advanced tactics covered in our builds section.
Master these fundamentals first, then expand into combined arms battles where air and ground forces coordinate for victory.