War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicle combat game by Gaijin Entertainment where teams fight with tanks, aircraft, helicopters and ships. Matches use tickets: your team wins when the enemy's tickets run out, usually by holding capture points and destroying vehicles. Over time you research better vehicles from Rank I to Rank VIII.
What is War Thunder?
War Thunder is a free-to-play online combat game from Gaijin Entertainment. You drive tanks, fly planes and helicopters, and command ships from many nations, from early 20th century machines up to modern jets and main battle tanks. Battles are team against team, and you build a lineup of vehicles to take into each match.
It entered open beta in 2012 and officially released in December 2016, and it has been updated steadily since. The latest major update as of October 2026 is Sky Odyssey, released on September 16, 2026, which added a new Falklands ground map, more vehicles such as the F-14D and MiG-35, and an overhaul of bomber damage models.
| Fact | War Thunder (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Gaijin Entertainment |
| Release | Open beta 2012, full release December 21, 2016 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
| Cross-platform | Yes, all platforms share servers |
| Price model | Free to play, with optional premium time and vehicles |
| Genre | Vehicle combat: air, ground and naval |
| Difficulty modes | Arcade, Realistic, Simulator |
| Latest major update | Sky Odyssey, September 16, 2026 |
For a quick look at other titles, see every game explained.
What is the objective of War Thunder?
Over the long run, the goal is to research and unlock better vehicles. Each nation has tech trees for aircraft, ground vehicles, helicopters and ships, running from Rank I up to Rank VIII. You earn research points and Silver Lions in battle, spend them to unlock the next vehicle, and keep climbing toward the modern machines at the top of each tree.
Inside a single match, the objective is to help your team win. That usually means destroying enemy vehicles, holding capture points or hitting targets, depending on the mission. A good match also pays more research points, so playing to win and progressing go hand in hand.
How do you win a match in War Thunder?
Most battles use a ticket system. Each team has a ticket bar, and losing vehicles or capture points drains it. The team whose tickets reach zero first loses. In ground battles a team also loses when nobody can spawn a ground vehicle any more. Here is how the main ground and air missions work.
| Mode | Team size | How you win |
|---|---|---|
| Ground: Domination | Two teams | Hold more of the three capture points so the enemy's tickets drain faster than yours |
| Ground: Conquest | Two teams | Take the single capture point and hold it to drain enemy tickets |
| Ground: Battle | Two teams | Each side starts with one point; capture theirs and keep yours |
| Air Arcade: Domination | Up to 16 per side | Seize enemy airfields and destroy enemy aircraft until their tickets run out |
| Air Arcade: Ground Strike | Up to 16 per side | Destroy enemy ground units, aircraft, or their bombing points and airfield |
| Squadron battles | 8 per side Arcade, 7 per side Realistic | Win the mission as an organised clan team |
At higher battle ratings, a team that earns and drops a nuclear bomb in ground battles wins the round on the spot. Respawns also differ by mode: Arcade gives you several ground spawns, Realistic ground spawns cost spawn points, and in Air Realistic you get one aircraft and no respawn.
What modes can you play?
The three difficulty settings change how the same battles feel. Arcade is the most forgiving, with easier controls and aiming help. Realistic uses more authentic physics and fewer markers. Simulator is first-person and the most demanding. Beside those there are PvE modes such as Assault, where up to ten players defend against waves of AI, Enduring Confrontation for long air or naval sessions, and permanent extras such as Nuclear Escalation, which Sky Odyssey made permanent.
How does ranked or progression work?
War Thunder has no ranked ladder for normal battles. Instead, progress comes from researching vehicles through the ranks, and matchmaking groups vehicles by their battle rating (BR). Our battle rating guide explains how BR and lineups shape your matches, and our research and battle pass guide covers grinding the tech trees and the seasonal battle pass. Every article sits in the War Thunder guides hub.
Beginner tips to win more
- Pick one nation and one vehicle type. Focused research gets you to stronger vehicles much faster.
- Start in Arcade. Learn maps and weak spots before moving to Realistic.
- Play the objective. Capturing and holding points drains enemy tickets and pays well.
- Use cover and angle your armour. Never sit broadside to the enemy in open ground.
- Build a full lineup. Several vehicles at a similar BR give you more chances to help the team.
- Research modules first. Better ammo and parts make a new vehicle far more useful.
- Play in a squad. Coordinated friends win more often than random teammates.
How can Boosting Games help with War Thunder?
Boosting Games sells fixed-price War Thunder services, all listed on the War Thunder services collection. The prices below are starting prices as of October 2026, and the exact price for the option you pick shows before checkout. Not sure how an order runs? Our how it works page walks through every step.
| Service | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| War Thunder Next-Vehicle Research | We research one vehicle of your choice | From $15 |
| War Thunder Research Grinding Session | Battles focused on research points for your target vehicle | From $45 |
| War Thunder Battle Pass Level Boost | We raise your battle pass level in the current season | From $15 |
| War Thunder Squad Session With Pros | Our players join your squad at your battle rating | From $17 |
| War Thunder Coaching | Live coaching or replay review | From $19 |
Honest risk note: Gaijin's terms say each account is personal and must not be shared with or used by another person, and trading accounts can lead to permanent restriction. Piloted orders carry the most risk. Squad sessions on your own account carry less, and coaching carries none. Read our account safety page before you order. We never sell accounts, Silver Lions, Golden Eagles, vehicles, premium time, bots, cheats or exploits.
Get help with War Thunder
Pick a service and option, see the exact price before you pay, and follow every session on your private order page.
See War Thunder servicesAsk Boost Up AIRelated reading: War Thunder battle rating explained, War Thunder research and battle pass guide, and two more beginner guides: what is World of Tanks and what is Rocket League. For services, see our War Thunder boosting page or ask Boost Up AI.
War Thunder FAQ
Is War Thunder free to play?
Yes. War Thunder is free to download and play on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, with no subscription. You can buy optional premium time, premium vehicles and Golden Eagles, which speed up progress, but every tech tree vehicle can be researched by playing. All platforms share servers, so you can play with friends on other systems.
Which mode should a beginner play?
Start with Arcade battles. They have simpler controls, aim help and several respawns, so you learn maps and vehicle weak spots without being punished as hard. Once you are comfortable, move to Realistic, which pays more research per good match and plays closer to real vehicles. Simulator is best left until you know the game well.
How long is a War Thunder match?
There is no fixed length. Every battle has a time limit, but most end sooner, when one team runs out of tickets or, in ground battles, can no longer spawn a ground vehicle. One-sided games finish quickly, while close fights go much longer. Long-form modes such as Naval Enduring Confrontation are different and can run for up to three hours.
What is battle rating in War Thunder?
Battle rating, or BR, is a number given to every vehicle to show how strong it is. Matchmaking uses the highest BR in your lineup to decide which vehicles you face. Keeping your lineup at similar BRs helps you avoid being outmatched. Our battle rating guide explains it in more depth, including how squads affect it.
Do I need to capture points to win?
Usually, yes. In most ground missions, holding more capture points than the enemy drains their tickets, and the team whose tickets hit zero first loses. Kills also cost the enemy tickets, so a team can lose despite holding points if it loses too many vehicles. The safest plan is to take points while keeping your team alive.
What did the Sky Odyssey update add?
Sky Odyssey released on September 16, 2026. It added the Darwin Hill ground map set in the Falkland Islands, new aircraft such as the F-14D, MiG-35 and J-16, new tanks and ships, a bomber damage model overhaul, and made Nuclear Escalation and Naval Enduring Confrontation permanent modes. It also raised the vehicle preset limit.
Sources: War Thunder: about the game, Steam: War Thunder, War Thunder Wiki: Arcade battles, War Thunder Wiki: Realistic battles, Patched.gg: Sky Odyssey, Wikipedia: War Thunder.