Welcome to War Thunder! This guide is built for players in their first 10–20 hours who want clear steps, practical choices, and steady progression. You’ll learn how to pick a nation without chasing a supposed “best,” how the main game modes differ, how Battle Rating (BR) and matchmaking work, how Research Points and crew progression operate, and how to plan your first week so you’re not spinning your wheels
The focus here is practical, ground- and air-centered play with a light touch on naval content. You’ll be guided to concentrate on one nation and one early vehicle branch to build solid fundamentals before expanding. Remember: balance, not brute unlocks, is the key to steady progress.
Getting Started: What to Do First
Begin with the basics: complete any new-player tutorials and starter missions. Pick a primary nation and a single vehicle branch to start—this helps you learn the core mechanics without spreading your progression too thin. Familiarize yourself with the three main PvP modes (Arcade Battles, Realistic Battles, Simulator Battles) and how matchmaking is influenced by Battle Rating (BR).
Choosing a Nation (Without Black-Box “Best Nation”)
Choose a nation based on your preferred playstyle and the availability of both ground and air lines. Some nations offer strong starting ground or aircraft options, while others emphasize different play experiences. The goal is to select a nation you enjoy and to stick with it long enough to build a coherent branch—this makes early progression smoother. Avoid trying to learn too many nations at once; prioritizing one nation helps you understand its vehicle hierarchy, BR behavior, and crew needs.
Understanding Game Modes: Arcade, Realistic, Simulator
Arcade Battles are the most beginner-friendly, with simplified flight and combat physics, forgiving aiming, and faster-paced battles. Realistic Battles reduce the arcade aids and emphasize more realistic flight and ballistics, requiring careful positioning and more precise aiming. Simulator Battles are the most demanding, with highly realistic flight models and cockpit immersion; they have the steepest learning curve and are less forgiving for new players. BR and progression are tracked across modes, so decide which mode you’ll practice in first and understand that your progress in one mode doesn’t automatically equal progress in another.
Battle Rating (BR) and Matchmaking Basics
BR is the primary driver of matchmaking. A vehicle’s BR helps pair you into battles with similarly skilled opponents. Different modes can have different matchmaking expectations for the same vehicle, and new players are most comfortable playing against opponents at a similar BR level. As you gain battle experience and BR, you’ll encounter more varied opponents. Focus on learning your chosen nation and branch first, reading cues from BR progression rather than chasing a specific rank.
Vehicle Research Points and Progression
Research Points are what unlock new vehicles. You earn them by playing battles, and the efficiency of research can affect how quickly you progress through ranks within a tree. Plan your first tree by selecting a line that offers a logical progression from your starter vehicle, and aim to unlock nearby vehicles that complement the same playstyle. Early on, prioritize vehicles within the same branch to maximize familiarity and crew synergy.
Crew Progression: Skills and Early Priorities
Crew experience is earned in battles and spent on skills to improve effectiveness. In the early phase, focus on a few core crew skills that boost your primary role (gunners, pilots, drivers) and keep crew points aligned with your preferred vehicle type. Avoid overinvesting in many skills before you have sturdy, reliable basics in your chosen branch. Efficient crew development helps your vehicles perform better as you progress.
Ground vs Air Play: Early Focus and Strategy
Ground combat tends to reward positional play, terrain use, and properly supported lines. Air play emphasizes awareness, aiming, and timing. For newcomers, pick one primary focus (ground or air) to build proficiency early, then expand once you’re comfortable. Naval content exists but should not dominate your early experience unless you specifically aim to integrate it later.
Common Beginner Progression Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Common pitfalls include spreading progression across too many nations, neglecting crew development while chasing rapid unlocks, and expecting immediate mastery of every mode. To avoid these, stay with one nation and one branch at first, invest time in crew skills aligned with your role, and read BR signals rather than chasing the highest-tier vehicles too early.
Simple First-Week Progression Plan
Day 1–2: Pick a nation and one early branch, complete all starter tasks, tutorials, and starter missions. Day 3–4: Start practicing in a single mode (Arcade or Realistic) and get comfortable with BR cues. Day 5–6: Play a mix of ground and air battles to understand both playstyles within your chosen branch. Day 7: Review your BR progression, align remaining research with your chosen path, and set goals for the next week.
Weekly focus: stay with one nation and one branch, complete starter-line vehicles, allocate crew points to core skills, and gradually unlock the next vehicle in the tree. Use BR cues to decide when you’re ready to advance and which battles are most productive for your learning.
Quick-Start Checklist
- Install and complete new-player tutorials and starter missions.
- Choose one nation and one branch to begin with; write down why you picked them.
- Practice in Arcade Battles initially to learn basics, then explore Realistic as you grow comfortable.
- Understand that BR guides matchmaking; don’t expect perfect balance in every match.
- Plan your first tree: pick a branch with a logical progression and compatible vehicles.
- Track crew experience and pick a few early core crew skills that boost your main role.
- Prioritize ground or air based on your preferred play style; don’t try to master both at once at the start.
- Avoid spreading progression across multiple nations early; depth in one path pays off later.
- Review progress after your first week and adjust goals for the next 7–14 days.