EN FEB 5, 2026 •
3 min read

Guide

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Quick Summary

Mastering War Thunder's diverse arsenal requires understanding the strengths of various weapons across air, ground, and naval combat. For aircraft, prioritize high explosive and incendiary rounds for dogfights, and utilize guided munitions or specific cannons like the GA-8 for air-to-ground. Tank combat emphasizes knowing ammunition types, targeting weak spots like ammo racks or gun barrels, and employing class-specific tactics. In naval battles, torpedoes are devastating, while cannons benefit from AP shells against armored targets and HE for crew and module damage, focusing fire on turrets or vital compartments.

◈ Navigation Index ▼
  • 01 Aircraft Weapons and Tactics
  • 02 Tank Weapons and Strategies
  • 03 Naval Weapons and Combat

War Thunder: Comprehensive Weapon Guide and Strategies

War Thunder features a vast array of weaponry across its air, ground, and naval forces, each with unique characteristics and optimal applications. Understanding these weapons and their effective use is crucial for success on the battlefield.

Aircraft Weapons and Tactics

When engaging in aerial combat, the choice of ammunition and understanding your aircraft's weaponry can significantly impact your effectiveness. For machine guns (like 12.7mm/.50 cal and 7.7mm/.30 cal), belts with the most Armor-Piercing Incendiary (AP-I) or Armor-Piercing Incendiary-Tracer (API-I) bullets are generally recommended, as they penetrate and set fires. High Explosive (HE) rounds are considered best for taking out enemy planes, with incendiary rounds being the next most effective, while standard armor-piercing rounds are generally less useful against aircraft. For cannons (20mm or larger), belts with the most HE shells and their variants (HE-I, HE-IT) are preferred due to their explosive and splash damage capabilities.

Specific aircraft are noted for their potent armaments:

  • The MiG-29 (Rank 8 Soviet fighter jet) is formidable at distances of five kilometers and below, thanks to its effective R-27ER missiles and high-velocity 30-millimeter guns. Pilots should leverage its top speed, maneuverability, and radar system, while being mindful of G-force limits when dodging missiles and the reliability of radar against long-range or low-altitude targets.
  • The F-14A Tomcat (Rank 8 American fighter jet) is recognized as a dangerous aircraft.
  • The Me 262 A-1/U4 Pulkzerstörer (Rank 5 German strike plane) is surprisingly effective in the right hands despite its unusual design.
  • The Yak-3P (Rank 3 Soviet fighter) is known for being devastatingly effective.

    • For cannon ballistics, the 15mm MG151, found on the 109 F2 and DO335AS, is considered the best gun for engagements within 800 meters, boasting a high muzzle velocity of 1030 m/s for its Sermit Kermit core rounds. For longer-range engagements beyond 800 meters, the AC9T's 37mm gun stands out with an 880 m/s muzzle velocity and very low drag. The GA-8, primarily on the A10 but also available as a gunpod on the F5E and A7s, has the lowest drag coefficient among aircraft guns. In contrast, the Vulcan is described as mediocre due to its high muzzle velocity being offset by significant drag. Russian guns often feature below-average muzzle velocity but lower drag, making them suitable for long-range shots.

    For air-to-ground attacks, bombs are an excellent choice. Normal bombs act as vertical HE, while armor-piercing bombs are most effective when dropped from high altitudes. When using advanced guided weapons like laser and TV-guided munitions, it's crucial to ensure the

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    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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