War Thunder Game: The Ultimate Free-to-Play Military MMO

Gameplay and Mechanics

The core gameplay of War Thunder revolves around player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) combat across three main domains: aviation, ground forces, and naval forces. Players control historically accurate vehicles from major nations including the United States, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, Japan, China, France, Italy, Sweden, and Israel.

Game Modes

War Thunder offers three primary gameplay modes that cater to different player preferences:

Arcade Battles

Arcade Battles provide the most accessible entry point for new players. In this mode, vehicle physics are simplified, reload times are faster, and enemy markers are visible at longer ranges. This mode emphasizes fast-paced action and is ideal for players who prefer more casual gameplay sessions.

Realistic Battles

Realistic Battles offer increased authenticity with more accurate flight and damage models, no enemy markers (except for those spotted by teammates), and limited respawns. This mode requires greater tactical awareness and understanding of vehicle capabilities. Realistic Battles strike a balance between accessibility and simulation.

Simulator Battles

Simulator Battles provide the most authentic experience with full realism settings, cockpit-only views for aircraft, no enemy markers, and realistic vehicle handling characteristics. This mode is designed for hardcore simulation enthusiasts and requires specialized equipment like joysticks for optimal experience.

Progression System

The War Thunder game features a complex progression system where players research and unlock new vehicles through gameplay. Each nation has its own tech tree divided into aviation, ground forces, and naval forces. Players earn Research Points (RP) and Silver Lions (SL, the in-game currency) by participating in battles and completing objectives.

The tech tree interface in War Thunder showing vehicle research progression

Economy and In-Game Currency

War Thunder operates on a dual-currency system:

• Silver Lions (SL): Earned through gameplay, used to purchase vehicles, modifications, crew training, and repair costs
• Golden Eagles (GE): Premium currency purchasable with real money, used to accelerate research, purchase premium vehicles, and convert vehicle experience

The game's economy is carefully balanced to allow free-to-play players to progress at a reasonable pace while offering premium options for those who wish to advance more quickly. Regular economic adjustments are made based on player feedback and data analysis from the War Thunder forums.

Vehicles and Nations

War Thunder boasts one of the most extensive collections of military vehicles in any video game, with over 2,000 meticulously modeled aircraft, tanks, and ships from 10 nations. Each vehicle is based on historical blueprints and technical documents to ensure accuracy in performance, armor, and armament.

Aircraft

The aviation component of War Thunder includes fighters, bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters spanning from World War I biplanes to modern jet fighters. Notable aircraft include the P-51 Mustang, Messerschmitt Bf 109, Spitfire, MiG-21, and F-14 Tomcat. Aircraft are categorized by battle rating (BR) to ensure balanced matchmaking.

Ground Vehicles

The ground forces tech tree features light, medium, and heavy tanks; tank destroyers; self-propelled guns; and anti-aircraft vehicles. From early inter-war tanks like the T-26 to modern main battle tanks like the M1 Abrams and T-80U, the ground combat in War Thunder emphasizes positioning, armor angling, and weak point knowledge.

Naval Forces

Naval battles in War Thunder range from small patrol boats and torpedo boats to destroyers, cruisers, and battleships. The naval component features realistic water physics, armor penetration mechanics for naval artillery, and detailed damage models that account for compartment flooding and critical system damage.

The vehicle roster is continuously expanded through regular updates. Players can track the latest additions and changes on Warthunder Live, the official content sharing platform where community creators showcase skins, decals, and missions.

Download and Installation

Installation Steps

1. Download the War Thunder installer from the official website or platform store
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions
3. Launch the game and create a new account or login with existing credentials
4. Complete the introductory tutorial to learn basic controls
5. Choose your starting nation and begin your military career

Mobile Version (APK)

While there is no official mobile version of War Thunder, several companion apps are available:

• War Thunder Assistant: Official app for managing your account, checking statistics, and researching vehicles
• WT Info: Community-developed app with detailed vehicle statistics and battle calculators
• Thunder Show: Watch the best community replay highlights on mobile devices

These APK files can be downloaded from the official Gaijin.net website or authorized app stores.

Updates and Development

Gaijin Entertainment maintains a consistent update schedule for War Thunder, with major updates typically released every 2-3 months. These updates introduce new vehicles, maps, gameplay features, and quality-of-life improvements based on player feedback from the official forums.

Recent Major Updates (2024-2025)

Future Development Roadmap

According to developer interviews on Warthunder Live, upcoming features for 2026 include:

• Expansion of combined arms mechanics with deeper interaction between vehicle types
• Introduction of submarine warfare (currently in early testing phase)
• Further graphical enhancements including ray tracing support
• New nation: South Korean armed forces (planned for late 2026)
• Improved new player experience with revamped tutorial system
• Expansion of infantry mechanics in combined battles

Community and Esports

The War Thunder community is one of the most active and passionate in the gaming world, with millions of players across the globe. The game's complexity and depth have fostered dedicated communities for historical discussion, tactical analysis, and content creation.

Community Platforms

• Official Forums: The War Thunder forums host discussions on gameplay, suggestions, bug reports, and historical accuracy debates with direct developer participation.
• Reddit Community: r/Warthunder with over 500,000 members for sharing gameplay clips, memes, and discussions.
• Discord: Official Discord server with 200,000+ members for real-time communication.
• Content Creators: Popular YouTube and Twitch creators like PhlyDaily, OrangeDoom, and Bo Time Gaming regularly produce War Thunder content.
• Wiki and Resources: The community-maintained War Thunder Wiki contains detailed information on vehicles, mechanics, and strategies.

Esports and Competitions

War Thunder hosts several competitive events throughout the year:

• War Thunder Championship: Annual tournament with $100,000+ prize pool
• Squadron Battles: Ongoing competitive mode for organized teams
• Seasonal Events: Special limited-time competitions with unique rewards
• Creator Tournaments: Community-run events featuring popular content creators

Frequently Asked Questions

Is War Thunder really free to play?

Yes, War Thunder is completely free to download and play. All content is accessible without spending money, though premium accounts and vehicles can accelerate progression. The game is designed to be fair to free players while offering optional purchases for those who want to support development or progress faster.

What's the best nation for beginners?

For new players, we recommend starting with either the United States, Germany, or Russia. These nations have well-rounded tech trees with competitive vehicles at all battle ratings. Each nation has unique characteristics - American vehicles tend to be durable with good firepower, German vehicles emphasize precision and armor, while Russian vehicles often have excellent mobility and sloping armor.

How does the matchmaking system work?

War Thunder uses a Battle Rating (BR) system to match players of similar skill levels. Each vehicle has a BR from 1.0 to 11.3 (as of December 2025). Matchmaking considers your highest BR vehicle in your lineup, typically creating matches within ±1.0 BR of your top vehicle. This system ensures relatively balanced matches while allowing for some historical matchups.

Can I play with friends on different platforms?

Yes, War Thunder supports cross-play between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms in most game modes. You can squad up with friends regardless of their platform by using the in-game friend system linked to your Gaijin account. The only exception is Simulator Battles, which have platform-restricted matchmaking to ensure fair competition with control schemes.

How often does War Thunder add new content?

Gaijin Entertainment releases major updates every 2-3 months, each adding new vehicles, maps, and features. Smaller updates with bug fixes and balance changes occur more frequently. The development team actively monitors the community forums and player statistics to determine what content and changes are most requested.

Are there any plans for infantry in War Thunder?

While infantry mechanics have been discussed by the developers, there are currently no plans to add playable infantry to War Thunder. The game focuses exclusively on vehicle combat. However, infantry units do appear as AI elements in some game modes, particularly in the Thunder Infantry experimental events that have run periodically.