War Thunder spans multiple combat eras with thousands of vehicles across air, ground, and naval battles. This War Thunder tier list ranks the most essential planes, tanks, and nations to help you dominate matches and climb battle ratings efficiently. Whether you're starting your grinding journey or optimizing your lineup, these rankings focus on performance, reliability, and actual impact in battles.
Table of Contents
- Air Superiority: War Thunder Best Planes
- Ground Dominance: Tank Tier Rankings
- Nation Power Rankings
- Battle Rating Sweet Spots
- Your Next Move
Air Superiority: War Thunder Best Planes
The air war defines War Thunder's identity. These aircraft dominate their battle ratings and deliver consistent results across different game modes.
S-Tier: The Sky Rulers
| Aircraft | BR | Why It's Dominant |
|---|---|---|
| F-16C Fighting Falcon | 12.0 | Best all-around top-tier fighter. Deadly AIM-120 missiles and superior energy retention make it unbeatable in skilled hands |
| A-10A Thunderbolt II | 9.7 | Tank-busting monster. 30mm GAU-8 cannon shreds everything while Maverick missiles eliminate threats from 8km away |
| Bf 109 F-4 | 3.7 | Perfect blend of climb rate, firepower, and maneuverability. The 20mm MG 151 cannon one-shots most opponents |
| P-51D-5 | 4.0 | Energy fighting perfection. Climbs well, dives like a meteor, and the six .50 cals set everything on fire |
A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses
The Spitfire LF Mk IX at BR 5.3 turns faster than anything else but lacks the punch for quick kills. The Me 262 A-1a at BR 7.0 introduced jets to the game and still holds its own with 30mm cannons that delete bombers instantly.
Russia's Yak-3 at BR 4.0 climbs incredibly fast and energy traps enemies below 4,000 meters. Japan's A6M5 Zero dominates turnfights at BR 4.7 but struggles against energy fighters who refuse to engage.
B-Tier: Situational Stars
These planes excel in specific scenarios but have clear weaknesses. The IL-2 (1942) at BR 2.3 destroys ground targets but becomes easy prey for fighters. Germany's Do 335 A-1 at BR 5.0 flies fast in straight lines but turns like a refrigerator.
C-Tier: Avoid These
The F-104 Starfighter series sounds impressive but bleeds energy in turns and dies to missiles. Most early jets between BR 6.0-7.0 face uptiered matches constantly, making them frustrating to fly.
Ground Dominance: Tank Tier Rankings
This War Thunder tank guide focuses on vehicles that consistently perform across different maps and situations. Armor, firepower, and mobility determine these rankings.
S-Tier: Battlefield Kings
| Tank | BR | Nation | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard 2A7V | 11.7 | Germany | Best armor package with DM53 rounds that penetrate 652mm. Trophy APS stops most missiles |
| T-80BVM | 11.0 | Russia | Incredible acceleration and Relikt ERA that bounces NATO rounds. 3BM60 rounds punch through 579mm |
| M1A2 SEP | 11.7 | USA | Depleted uranium armor stops most shells. M829A2 rounds have 629mm penetration |
| Panzer IV F2 | 3.3 | Germany | The 75mm KwK 40 L/43 gun eliminates everything it faces. Fast reload and decent mobility |
A-Tier: Meta Contenders
The IS-3 at BR 7.0 bounces shells all day with its pike nose design. That 122mm D-25T cannon one-shots most opponents but the 27-second reload punishes mistakes.
Britain's Centurion Mk 3 at BR 7.0 combines the excellent 20-pounder gun with decent mobility. The APDS rounds penetrate 285mm at point-blank range, enough for most enemies.
B-Tier: Solid Choices
The Tiger I H1 at BR 5.7 intimidates new players but experienced tankers know exactly where to shoot it. The 88mm KwK 36 L/56 gun still packs a punch, but the armor feels inadequate against 6.7 uptiering.
C-Tier: Outdated Designs
Most reserve tanks and early Cold War vehicles struggle with power creep. The M60A1 at BR 8.3 faces modern tanks with thermal sights while lacking any meaningful advantages.
Nation Power Rankings
This War Thunder nations guide evaluates each country's complete tech tree strength and grinding efficiency.
S-Tier Nations
Germany offers the most consistent experience across all battle ratings. Their tanks feature excellent guns and reasonable armor, while their aircraft dominate energy fighting. The repair costs stay manageable, and the tech tree progression feels natural.
Russia excels at ground battles with heavy armor and massive guns. Their aircraft perform well in boom-and-zoom tactics. The nation rewards aggressive playstyles and offers excellent premium vehicles for grinding.
A-Tier Nations
USA shines at higher battle ratings with superior CAS options and well-rounded ground vehicles. The early tiers feel grindy, but mid-tier American planes and tanks become incredibly strong.
Britain punishes positioning mistakes but rewards skilled players. Their solid shot ammunition requires precise aim, but the post-war vehicles become dominant force multipliers.
B-Tier Nations
Japan and France offer unique gameplay experiences but suffer from limited vehicle options and higher repair costs. Both nations require more skill to play effectively.
Battle Rating Sweet Spots
Certain War Thunder battle rating ranges offer the best balance of fun gameplay and efficient grinding. These BR brackets avoid the worst uptiers and provide consistent matchmaking.
BR 3.7-4.7 delivers the most balanced gameplay. Tanks have meaningful armor differences, and aircraft dogfights last longer than missile exchanges. Queue times stay short, and repair costs remain reasonable.
BR 8.0-9.0 represents the sweet spot for modern combat without facing the most advanced systems. Night vision becomes standard, but thermal sights remain uncommon. This bracket offers the best introduction to contemporary warfare.
BR 10.0-10.7 provides competitive top-tier gameplay without the newest vehicles that dominate everything. Players can learn advanced mechanics without facing the absolute meta vehicles.
Avoid BR 6.0-7.0 where early jets struggle against more advanced aircraft, and World War II tanks face early Cold War vehicles with superior ammunition.
Your Next Move
Focus on one nation initially and reach at least BR 5.0 before branching out. Germany or Russia offer the smoothest learning curves for new players. Once you understand the core mechanics, explore different nations to find your preferred playstyle.
Check out our detailed War Thunder builds to optimize your crew skills and vehicle modifications for maximum effectiveness in battle.