EN JAN 30, 2026 •
3 min read

Guide

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Quick Summary

War Thunder is a vehicular combat MMO featuring air, land, and sea battles from various historical eras. New players should start with tutorials and choose beginner-friendly nations like the USA, Germany, or USSR. Begin with Arcade battles to learn the ropes, then progress to Realistic battles for deeper gameplay and better rewards. Focus on understanding game modes, managing your research tree, and utilizing team play to efficiently progress through the ranks.

◈ Navigation Index ▼
  • 01 Getting Started: First Steps and Initial Choices
  • 02 Understanding Game Modes: Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator
  • 03 Navigating the Research Tree and Progression
  • 04 Essential Combat Tips for Air and Ground
  • 05 Economy, Upgrades, and Crew Management
  • 06 Common Mistakes and General Advice

War Thunder Beginner's Guide: Taking Flight and Rolling Out

War Thunder is a comprehensive vehicular combat massively multiplayer online (MMO) game that immerses players in battles across air, land, and sea, featuring vehicles spanning from the Great War to modern day. Starting your journey in War Thunder can be overwhelming due to its depth, but this guide will provide essential tips and strategies to help new players find their footing.

Getting Started: First Steps and Initial Choices

Upon first logging into War Thunder, you'll be presented with key decisions regarding your military branch and nation. There are currently five military branches: Army, Aviation, Bluewater Fleet, Coastal Fleet, and Helicopters, with Helicopters requiring sufficient progress in either Army or Aviation. The game features ten nations, though Israel also requires prior progress in another nation. It's important to note that not every military branch is available for all nations from the start.

Recommended Starter Nations: For your first nation, the USA, Germany, or USSR (Russia) are generally recommended due to their well-developed lineups across different vehicle types. China is also an honorable mention for its variety. For air battles specifically, Japan, Britain, or the Soviets are considered beginner-friendly. The USA is also excellent for learning the game's mechanics in air combat, as proficiency with American planes can translate to other nations. The Importance of Tutorials: Do not skip the initial tutorials. They provide a basic understanding of your chosen vehicles and the game's mechanics, which is crucial for new players.

Understanding Game Modes: Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator

War Thunder offers several game modes, each with distinct characteristics. The most popular modes are Arcade and Realistic, followed by Simulator.

  • Arcade Battles (AB): This is the simplest and most accessible mode for beginners. In Arcade, you benefit from aim assists, faster vehicle movement, and enemy vehicles are marked on your minimap and in third-person view. In Air Arcade, your team can comprise vehicles from any nation, and you have multiple respawns, limited by the number of planes in your preset. Arcade is ideal for learning the basics and practicing combat.
  • Realistic Battles (RB): Realistic Battles offer a more challenging experience. Vehicle differences become more pronounced, and there is no leading indicator for aiming. In Air Realistic, you typically have only one spawn, making each life more critical. Ground Realistic allows you to include aircraft in your lineup, enabling you to jump into a plane if you earn enough points with your tank. Realistic Battles generally offer better rewards for good performance compared to Arcade.
  • Simulator Battles (SB): This mode provides the most authentic experience with realistic physics and a cockpit-only view. Simulator battles are tough and have a rapid learning curve but can be very rewarding. You can bring multiple aircraft, but each spawn costs.
  • Arcade Assault and Helicopter PvE: These are cooperative modes where you defend an area against AI opponents. They can be a good way to practice shooting and earn daily rewards.

    • Navigating the Research Tree and Progression

    Progression in War Thunder involves earning Research Points (RP) and Silver Lions (SL). Research Points are used to unlock new vehicles and modifications for your current vehicles, while Silver Lions are the primary in-game currency used to purchase vehicles, crew slots, and cover repair costs.

    Key Progression Mechanics:
  • To unlock the next rank of vehicles in a tech tree, you generally need to research a certain number of vehicles (often around five) from the preceding rank.
  • Progression through the tech tree is mostly linear. However, if vehicles are
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    [ System Notice ]

    This content was generated by AI. Information may be unverified and could have changed due to game updates. Verify critical data before proceeding.

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