Complete Beginner’s Guide to War Thunder

Tanks • Aircraft • Ships • Arcade and Realistic Modes

This guide brings together everything you need as a new War Thunder player — controls, gameplay basics, tactics for tanks, aircraft, and ships, plus practical advice for both Arcade and Realistic battles. The goal is to give you one clear, practical, and comprehensive guide for your first dozens of hours in the game.

🎮 1. War Thunder Basics

War Thunder is a large-scale military game where you control:

• Tanks
• Aircraft
• Helicopters
• Ships

The game offers three main modes:

• Arcade Battles – easier, faster, with helpful markers
• Realistic Battles – more tactical, no markers, realistic physics
• Simulator Battles – the hardest mode, maximum realism
⌨️ 2. Controls on Windows 11 (Unified Table)

All essential controls for tanks, aircraft, and ships are combined into a single table for easy reference.

Unified War Thunder Controls Table (PC – Windows 11)

🛡 3. Beginner Tips for Realistic Tank Battles

Realistic battles are slower, more punishing, and require tactical thinking. Here’s how to survive and win.

3.1. Move slowly and scout with binoculars

• No enemy markers
• Whoever spots first — wins
• Use B constantly to scan safely

3.2. Use cover properly

Expose only:

• the gun
• a small part of the turret

This hull-down position is the strongest defensive stance.

3.3. Aim for weak spots

Key modules to target:

• ammunition
• crew
• engine
• gunner / commander

Study tanks in X-Ray mode in the hangar.

3.4. Flank your enemies

All tanks are weak from the sides. Flanking gives:

• surprise shots
• easy penetrations
• map control

3.5. Upgrade your tank in the correct order

1. Parts

2. FPE (fire extinguisher)

3. Tracks / Suspension

4. Better shells

Without repair and fire extinguishing, you’re helpless.

⚓ 4. Beginner Tips for Naval Battles (Arcade – with red markers)

Arcade Naval is fast, dynamic, and explosive — but still tactical.

4.1. Keep your ship angled

Never face the enemy head-on. Best angle: 30–45°.

This:

• reduces incoming damage
• lets you fire more guns
• improves armor effectiveness

4.2. Choose the right shells

• HE – best for small boats and superstructures
• AP – for armored parts of destroyers and cruisers
If unsure — HE is the safest choice.

4.3. Aim for modules

Most effective hits:

under the turrets
into the superstructure
midsection of the ship

4.4. Keep moving

A stationary ship = a dead ship. Change course, adjust speed, avoid torpedoes.

4.5. Torpedoes are the strongest weapon for small boats

Launch them:

• at an angle
• from behind cover
• at large ships distracted by others

4.6. Use islands as shields

Islands:

• block artillery
• stop torpedoes
• let you approach safely

4.7. Watch out for aircraft

Planes can destroy you with a single bomb or torpedo. Keep AA active and watch the sky.

✈️ 5. Basics of Air Combat

• Altitude is life — stay high
• Don’t turn-fight more maneuverable planes
• Use energy tactics (altitude → speed → attack)
• Fire only when stable

🧭 6. Progression and Development

Each battle gives you:

• Research Points (RP) – unlock new vehicles
• Silver Lions (SL) – currency for repairs and purchases
• Modifications – improve your vehicle

Upgrade:

• crew skills (aiming, reloading, survivability)
• vehicle modules (guns, engines, optics)

🧠 7. General Beginner Advice

• Start in Arcade to learn the basics
• Pick one nation and progress consistently
• Avoid buying premium vehicles early
• Use headphones — sound gives you information
• Don’t panic when hit — relocate and repair

📘 Conclusion

War Thunder rewards:

• patience
• awareness
• positioning
• knowledge of your vehicle

With this guide, you now have a solid foundation for tanks, aircraft, and naval game play — in both Arcade and Realistic modes.