Quickstart

War Thunder is the only free-to-play game that covers 100+ years of military hardware in one ecosystem. Tanks, planes, helicopters, ships, and (recently) submarines. The game is a military-simulation MMO with 2,500+ playable vehicles. The catch: the game is overwhelming for new players. The matchmaking spreads players from tier 1 to tier 12 in each nation, the "stock grind" is real, and the difference between Arcade and Realistic battles is dramatic.

This guide will get you from "just downloaded" to your first vehicle unlock without rage-quitting.

Step 1: Pick a nation based on what you want to play

War Thunder has 9 nations, each with their own vehicle tree. The "best" nation depends on what you want to play:

USA — versatile, good for mixed forces. Decent

planes, decent tanks.

Germany — strong armor, strong planes. Top-tier

grind.

USSR — high volume, good armor, well-rounded.
Britain — strong at higher tiers, slow start.
Japan — light tanks, good planes. Less populated

queues.

China — Soviet-style vehicles, less variety.
Italy — good aircraft, decent tanks.
France — strong at mid-tier, unique vehicles.
Sweden — light tanks, unique aircraft.

For your first nation, pick USA, Germany, or USSR. They have the largest player bases, the most vehicles, and the shortest queue times.

Step 2: Start with aircraft (not tanks)

Aircraft are the easiest entry point to War Thunder for beginners. Reasons:

Faster matches (5-10 min vs. 15-20 for tanks)
Easier to learn (3D movement vs. ground combat)
Lower frustration (you can re-spawn multiple

times per match)

The "Air Arcade" mode is the most beginner-friendly — slower speeds, more forgiving physics, and respawns.

Start with a tier 1 fighter (P-26 Peashooter for USA, He 51 for Germany, I-15 for USSR). Earn XP, unlock better planes.

Step 3: Understand the game modes

War Thunder has 5 main game modes:

Arcade Battles — beginner-friendly, fast, respawns,

markers on enemies. Recommended for first 20 hours.

Realistic Battles — no markers, ammo matters,

no respawns. The "real" War Thunder experience.

Simulator Battles — full flight sim, mouse-look

controls. Niche.

Enduring Confrontation — large-scale persistent

battles, ground and air.

World War (event) — rotating event modes.

Stay in Arcade for at least 20-30 hours. The transition to Realistic is dramatic. You'll die a lot in Realistic until you learn the mechanics.

Step 4: Master the basic flight controls

Aircraft in War Thunder use realistic flight controls in Realistic and Sim modes. The basics:

Pitch — nose up/down. Mouse (Arcade) or keyboard

(Realistic/Sim).

Yaw — nose left/right. Keyboard.
Roll — wings left/right. Mouse or keyboard.
Throttle — keyboard (W/S).
Trim — adjust control surface neutral. Keyboard.
Flaps — increase lift at low speed. Keyboard.

In Arcade mode, the controls are simplified. In Realistic mode, you need to manage speed, altitude, and energy. Beginner mistake: turn-fighting. In Realistic, energy-fighting wins.

Energy-fighting = keep your speed high, use altitude to dive on enemies. Turn-fighting = try to turn inside the enemy's turn. Energy wins.

Step 5: Understand the "stock grind"

The most-hated part of War Thunder is the stock grind. When you research a new vehicle, it starts with:

Worse engine (low power)
Worse weapons (no upgrade modules)
Worse survivability (no armor upgrades)
No special modules (no belts, no zoom, no

airbrake)

To "spade" the vehicle (unlock all modules), you need to earn XP in matches. This can take 5-20 hours per vehicle at high tiers.

Tips to speed up the grind:

Use a premium account (doubles XP and silver

lions earned).

Use boosters (2-5x XP for 1 hour).
Use the daily login bonus.
Use event rewards (free premium time,

boosters, talismans).

Talismans — these are XP boosts PER VEHICLE.

The most efficient long-term investment.

Step 6: Spend your first Golden Eagles wisely

Golden Eagles (GE) are War Thunder's premium currency. Don't waste them on cosmetics early. Spend them on:

A premium account — the #1 best value. Doubles

XP and silver lions. ~3,000 GE for 30 days.

A premium vehicle — premium vehicles earn

more XP and silver lions per match. The "Cobra King" (US tier 3), "Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J" (German tier 2), and "I-301" (Soviet tier 3) are the classic starter premiums.

A talisman — for a specific vehicle. Long-term

value for end-game players.

Don't spend GE on:

Random decals or skins — cosmetic, no gameplay

value.

Convertible RP — not worth it for beginners.
Loot boxes — gambling, bad value.

Step 7: Get a talisman (eventually)

Talismans are the single best long-term investment in War Thunder. A talisman gives +50% XP on a specific vehicle, stacking with premium account and boosters. This means a talisman-equipped premium vehicle with a premium account and a 2x booster can earn 4x XP.

You get talismans as:

Event rewards (3-5 per major event)
Battle pass rewards (1-2 per season)
In the in-game shop (1,500 GE each)

Save them for the vehicle you plan to play long-term. For most players, this is a tier 4-5 vehicle that you enjoy.

Step 8: Move to tanks once you understand the basics

Tanks in War Thunder are a separate progression from aircraft. Most players pick one or the other for the long-term, though you can play both.

Tank tips:

**Realistic tank battles are the most popular

mode** — slow, tactical, realistic.

Learn to angle your armor — most tanks are

weaker from the side and rear.

Use the binocular mode (T or right-click) — see

further without being seen.

Don't sit still — moving targets are harder to

hit.

Don't lone-wolf — stick with teammates, support

their pushes.

Tier 1-3 tanks are forgiving. Tier 5+ tanks are one-shot kills from any angle. The transition is dramatic.

Step 9: Naval forces (if you want)

Naval forces in War Thunder cover destroyers, cruisers, and battleships from 1920s to 1950s. The mode is niche but enjoyable. The matchmaking is small (especially at low tiers).

Naval is the most expensive tree to grind. Most players skip it.

Step 10: Understand the content cadence

War Thunder gets major updates every 2-3 months:

New vehicles added to existing trees
New nations added (Italy and France were the

most recent, in 2023-2024)

New game modes (Enduring Confrontation in

2022, submarines in 2024)

Seasonal events (anniversary, Christmas,

Halloween)

Battle pass (4-8 week seasons with premium

rewards)

The game is not dying. Gaijin has consistently updated it since 2013.

What's next

After your first 20 hours in War Thunder:

Pick a "main" tier 3-4 vehicle — the one you

enjoy most.

Get the premium account — the single best

long-term investment.

Try a different mode — Realistic Battles for

aircraft, then Realistic for tanks.

Join a clan — clan rewards include boosters,

talismans, and silver lions.

FAQ

Is War Thunder pay-to-win?

The base game is F2P. The premium account and premium vehicles give XP and silver lions advantages, not direct combat advantages. A skilled free player can beat a casual premium player.

Can I play solo?

Yes — all game modes are solo-queueable. Clans are optional.

What's the best nation for beginners?

USA, Germany, or USSR. They have the largest player bases and the most vehicles.

Should I play aircraft or tanks first?

Aircraft is easier to learn and has faster matches. Tanks are more popular end-game. Try both.

How long does it take to reach tier 10 (top

tier)?

~500-1000 hours of focused play per tree. Most players never reach top tier.

Is the stock grind really that bad?

Yes — but premium account, talismans, and event rewards can cut it by 50-75%.

Is War Thunder cross-play?

Yes — full cross-play between PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

What's the population like?

~80,000 concurrent players at peak. Population is healthy on all platforms.

Is War Thunder still being updated?

Yes — Gaijin has consistently updated it since

The most recent major update (2026 Q2)

added new helicopters and ground forces.

War Thunder beginner guide — 10 things to know before your first realistic dogfight