War Thunder: beginner's guide — nations, economy and battle tactics (2026)

This information is current as of August 2026.

War Thunder seems like a simple arcade game only for the first couple of battles. Then the real game begins: the Silver Lions economy, crews, modules, and combat ratings. This guide will help new players get up to speed quickly and avoid the typical mistakes that cost hundreds of hours of grinding.

Where to Start: Choosing a Nation and Vehicle Type

The first and most important decision is which nation to focus on. We recommend starting with one nation and one type of vehicle, rather than spreading yourself too thin:

Tanks, USSR—simple and sturdy vehicles that forgive positioning mistakes.
Aircraft, USA—versatile fighters with excellent machine guns and a large ammunition capacity.
Germany—precise cannons and strong armor, but requires an understanding of elevation angles.

Ranks 1–3 fly by quickly for any nation—this is the time for experimentation. The serious grind begins at ranks 4–5.

Arcade or realism?

Game Mode	Features	Who It’s For
Arcade battles	Enemy markers, simplified physics, fast-paced combat	Beginners and for farming
Realistic combat	No markers, realistic physics, greater rewards	The main mode for most players
Simulation-style combat	Cockpit/scope view, maximum hardcore	For veterans and fans of immersion

Tip: Get used to the realistic mode as early as possible—the rewards are better there, and the skills (visual detection, preemptive fire) make you a stronger player across the board.

Economy: How to Avoid Running Out of Lions

Silver Lions are spent on purchasing and repairing vehicles. Key rules for saving:

Don’t buy fully upgraded vehicles right away—check their stats and reviews first.
Assemble a battle group consisting of vehicles with the same Battle Rating (BR): one strong vehicle won’t save you if the others are 1–2 BRs weaker.
Free repairs for cheap vehicles: just don’t play with them for a few days—the crew will fix them on their own.
Daily logins, battle missions, and events—a steady source of Lions and boosters.

Progression: Modules and Crews

Priority modules for tanks: spare parts, followed by fire control and anti-fragmentation measures; for aircraft—compressor, engine, and new machine guns/cannons.
Crew: Level up “Repair,” “Field Repair,” and “Survivability” for ground vehicles; for pilots—"Health," "Endurance" (G-forces), and "Alertness."
Crew experience isn’t lost when switching vehicles—feel free to transfer your leveled-up crews to new vehicles.

Combat Tactics for Beginners

In tanks, aim for specific modules: first take out the gun or gunner, then finish off the enemy. A guide on penetration is available right in the hangar (armor analysis).
Keep your frontal armor at an angle to the enemy—this increases your effective armor by 20–40%.
In aviation, energy is key: altitude and speed are more important than maneuverability. Don’t get caught up in dogfights with heavy fighters.
Listen to the sound of the enemy’s engine—in realistic combat, hearing is more important than sight.

Boosters, Parry, and Combat Pass

Activate boosters before a series of battles on a vehicle you’re comfortable with—not on a new one “just to try it out.” Bets offer big rewards for winning streaks, but only enable them when you’re confident in your battle composition. The Battle Pass is worth getting if you play regularly: it pays off with premium vehicles and decals.

Squadrons and Team Play

Join an active squadron as soon as possible: squadron activity unlocks special vehicles for free, and playing in a platoon with experienced teammates is the fastest way to learn the game. There are dozens of Russian-speaking squadrons that train newcomers—search for them using the in-game squadron search feature.