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This news article will tell you all you need to know about War Thunders 10th birthday and all of its associated events and sales!
According to Gaijin, War Thunder's release date is when the game launched into open beta on November 1st 2012. As with every launch anniversary there is an associated sale and assortment of events.
The War Thunder anniversary sales are the best sales that come around in the year as it offers 50% discounts on every premium bought using golden eagles. There is a 50% discount on all talismans and 50% discount on 180 day premium account (among other things)
All vehicles that are bought using Silver Lions are also 50% off to purchase which makes it a great time to buy all those vehicles you have been holding off on. The Golden Eagle sale starts on October 31st and end on November 7th
There are no discounts for the “Drone Age” and “Fire and Ice” vehicles , as well as squadron vehicles (including modifications, talismans, and back-ups). -as per the War Thunder website
After the Golden Eagle sale is finished then the War Thunder packs will be on sale for usually 30% off along with special bundles that will become available to purchase that will offer an even heavier discount they can sometimes come with a special title to use in game too. The pack sales will start on November 7th and end on November 14th
You can check out a previously published article on what the best premiums to buy are if you are feeling unsure on what to get.
This years anniversary comes with a number of special events and one of these includes the brand new Sturmtiger heavy assault gun. Unlike many of the other events this event uses a new system to get the awards needed to unlock the tank, you just need to get 35,000 every 2 days, which might sound like a lot but can be done in 2-3 hours which over 2 days is very good especially when compared with previous events.
Other rewards are also available during this event such as decals and 3d decorators.
Is the tank worth it? well that's up to you to decide but I think it is a novelty vehicle and has no practical use in game as its weaponry is extremely awkward to use and is a bigger threat to yourself than to your enemies. The 38CM cannon takes 40 seconds to load on an aced crew and its ballistic arc makes it extremely hard to use over distance but worst of all your armour is almost meaningless as if someone shoots your barrel while you have a round in the chamber then it will instantly detonate destroying your tank.
A great addition to this years anniversary is the ability to get old event vehicles that are no longer obtainable just by playing the game, it uses a similar score system used on the Sturmtiger event so you can do both at the same time.
You can get up to a total of 10 vehicles out of this event however you will likely get fewer as the grind to get them goes up extremely steeply but getting 4-5 should be no issue if you are doing the Stumtiger event.
Both the Sturmtiger and rare vehicle event runs for 2 weeks from October 31s until November 14th
The vehicles on offer are as follows, if you have all the vehicles then you will get 3 days premium instead per unlock.
The Maus is back for research for those of you interested in super heavy tanks, there's too much to be said about the tank that can be covered in this article. The ability to get the Maus nowadays is relatively rare so I would recommend trying to put at least 1 research point into it as then it will not disappear when the event ends and you will be free to research it whenever you wish. To be able to research the Maus you must be able to research rank V vehicles in the German ground tech tree.
There are a variety of tournaments on during the anniversary sales from 1v1 up all the way to 5v5.
There are a limited number of T-34 Prototypes and the German M4A2 75 for sale however I would recommend not purchasing them as they are extremely overpriced and not good for grinding.
There are premium PT boats also for sale but like the ground vehicles mentioned above they are not worth the asking price.
Play 1 battle between October 31st and November 14th to get a special 10 year anniversary decal.
Enjoy War Thunder's 10th Anniversary sale whilst you can, it's a BIG ONE!
One of the oldest trees in the game but certainly not the simplest. German tank destroyers have been in the game since the beta for ground forces back in 2013 but are they worth playing if at all grinding? The following will be a historical/opinion based piece regarding all of the vehicles within the German tank destroyer category. But as usual here are the ground rules:
As a further note some vehicles will be grouped together (Such as the Sd.Kfz. 251 or 234 as well as the Panzer IV/70 series) due to the vehicles being minor modifications of each other.
Like a phoenix from the ashes the German army quickly and efficiently rearmed in time for the outbreak of the second world war. Tank destroyers were a dated concept but the practicality of the vehicles didn't show until war returned to Europe. Meaning "Tank Hunter" the Panzerjager was a mix of German and Czech technology with a Panzer I chassis and a 4.7cm Skoda built anti tank gun. It performed well at knocking out light to medium vehicles deployed by the Polish, French, British and even Soviet armies. While seeing success in the early years of the war, the appearance of vehicles with heavier armor rendered the Panzerjager obsolete. The ranges of engagements in the desert or on the eastern front led to a need for a better vehicle in both armor and armament.
In game the vehicle is quite enjoyable at 1.3 where it will face some heavier tanks that will take a bit of precision to destroy but overall most opposition is easily defeated by the 47mm. Utilizing APHE it has no issues with offensive actions but it's defensive actions are lacking for a tank destroyer. Being based on the Panzer I doesn't do it any favors with it's limited traverse and poor armor. Most enemy vehicles will cut through you like butter due to the nature of the light tank hunter. Overall it's a great introduction to the German Tank destroyer tree as it's set up and playstyle are awfully similar to some of the heavier variants. Not much else to say but keep your targets ahead of you and keep your distance to make up for the lack of a turret.
As the doctrine of mechanized infantry came into being so did the idea of mechanized support weapons. The Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251 has a long line of variants with some more effective than others but the 251/10 and 251/22 armed with the 3.7cm Pak 36 and 7.5cm Pak 40 were specialized in dealing with enemy armor. Stemming from the over abundance of Anti Tank guns while being short in supply for vehicles to mount them on, the 251 was a perfect stop gap solution for an ever increasing problem during the later years of the war. Serving until the bitter end and even in post war countries, the Sd.Kfz. 250 is an iconic and influential vehicle that can pack a punch.
As most half tracks are they're somewhat limited in their mobility compared to fully tracked vehicles, they're lightly armored and are usually not great at fighting enemy armor. The Pak 36 gained the nickname "Heeresanklopfgerät" or Army Door Knocker due to it's increasing ineffectiveness, this in turn reflects in War Thunder as you might struggle to pierce some front plates. Best used as an ambush vehicle in positions that takes advantage of side armor or other weaker portions of the enemy vehicle. Unfortunately your shells are not great and your distance has to be close for most engagements. Arguably the Sd.Kfz. 251/10 is more of a trophy vehicle than a serious competitor but nevertheless still enjoyable given the proper position and circumstances.
Thankfully it's successor is much better due to being armed with one of the best low-mid tier guns in the game. The Pak 40 is renown for being accurate, dependable and devastating to enemy armor. Allowing you to pick apart enemy armor from not only the front but also at a distance. Played slowly and defensively the Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is a force to be reckoned with if you find yourself not receiving return fire. Both vehicles have their niches and as such can perform admirably when played like a proper light weight tank destroyer.
Continuing with the rare vehicles of the game we find ourselves at some of the most sought after and enjoyable vehicles available. Derived from the earlier Sd.Kfz 232 (8 rad) series, the 234 was designed to be a reconnaissance vehicle but eventually took on heavier roles such as heavy armored car, infantry support and even tank destroyer. The 234/3 and 234/4 are armed with the 7.5cm K51 and 7.5cm Pak 40 respectively. Both vehicles possessing the same speed, armor and cross country abilities as each other meaning there's only one real difference. Finding little success in the war due to being produced in the last months leads us to questioning the overall effectiveness of the platform's roles in infantry support and tank destroying.
In game however both vehicles fit well and perform admirably with the short 75 dealing excessive damage to light and medium targets while being able to crack some of it's heavier opposition with a quick reload and punishing HEAT projectiles. The longer 7.5cm Pak 40 while being an exceptional gun now finds it's self in the realm of much heavier armor and enhanced capabilities. At 4.7 the vehicle has seen much better days, however this shouldn't discourage you as smart usage of maps and flanking spots can still decimate swarms of enemy vehicles. Downsides of this vehicle include it's armor and lack of tracks. There's no doubt that the physics tied to wheel based vehicles are abhorrent on rough terrain such as sand, snow or even mud. Overall if you're lucky enough to have either of these vehicles consider using them if you haven't already.
One of the old guard considering it's date of introduction to War Thunder. Based on the Panzer III chassis the StuG is one of the popular German tank destroyers that is hard to go wrong with. A low silhouette, good frontal armor, decent mobility allowed the StuG to be the most effective German tank destroyer of the entire war. While it's original job as an assault gun didn't have tanks in mind, it's later iterations proved lethal to enemy armor. Serving until the end of the war on every German front, the StuG's efficiency and legacy are not to be questioned.
In War Thunder the StuG shines as a cornerstone of tier I-II Germany with the Ausf. A being armed with the fan favorite 7.5cm Kwk 37 (StuK 37 in this case) and protected by a generous 50mm of armor at 2.3. Quick firing, speedy and reliable in almost all scenarios, the Ausf. A is not a vehicle to sleep on. It's ability to take a hit or two is welcomed in comparison to the earlier fragile vehicles. However the real winners are it's later iterations.
The Ausf F and G differ in numerous ways, the Ausf F shares the same armor and layout as the Ausf A but the firepower has been significantly upgraded. Similar to the Pak 40, the 7.5cm StuK 40 allows for the Ausf F to tackle much larger prey but be warned that it's armor doesn't hold up nearly as well as it's earlier iteration does.
Ausf G finds upgrades in most departments with the addition of not only schurzen (side skirts) but also an additional 30mm of frontal armor bringing it's protection up to 80mm. The firepower also finds an upgrade with the StuK 40's barrel being lengthened by 5 calibers and as such increasing penetration minimally. Dependable, reliable and a winner in all regards, the StuG series has been an enjoyment for as long as tanks have been in the game.
Designed as an interm replacement for the Panzerjager I, the Marder series of tank destroyers were effective light vehicles that could be quickly moved into action in comparison to the towed anti tank guns the Germans were often fielding. Utilizing captured chassis or spare vehicles with no apparent use the Marders were interesting amalgamations turned competent fighting machines. The original Marder III saw the Panzer 38(t) chassis being paired with the Soviet 76mm field gun and combined to produce a tall and lightly armored tank destroyer. The Marder III H was a much more streamlined production which did away with the Soviet gun and armed it with the Pak 40, both vehicles served from their origination in 1942 until the bitter end in 1945.
Being lightly armed seems to be a constant for tank destroyers in the early tiers of the game and the Marder III is no exception. Following closely in the steps of the Panzerjager, the Marder III is to be played the exact same way. Light armor and open top leads to destruction by every threat under the sun. Thankfully it's heavy firepower is nothing to scoff at as it finds it's self at a comfortable battle rating where not much is going to be left standing after taking a direct hit from the guns that arm the Marder III. Ambush tactics and defensive positions favor the Marder III, just make sure to watch out for enemy machine guns or air power.
Both experimental and produced in single digits, the Dicker Max was developed to engage bunkers or fortifications at a distance it would be invulnerable to return fire. But due to the shifting nature of the war it was redesigned as a tank destroyer. Two vehicles were combat trialed and neither ended up in a favorable position. One vehicle caught fire and detonated after it's ammo exploded and the other vehicle survived until sometime in 1942 when the vehicle was lost. The Sturer Emil was a similar program which similar fates, designed to be heavy tank destroyers two vehicles were combat trialed with one being destroyed and another captured in 1943.
In game both vehicles play expressly similar to each other. Long slow vehicles with poor armor but heavy cannons that can take out most vehicles in single hits. Slow reloads and limited traverse leave you with areas that have good sight lines leading to success. The Sturer Emil has exceptional gun depression meaning you can hide the majority of your vehicle behind hills or slopes that allow you to quickly reverse into safety after firing but as numerous other tank destroyers it's open topped nature leave you vulnerable to aircraft and artillery. Overall they're not bad vehicles especially considering the break they're received recently with their BRs being decreased significantly.
The new tanks fielding by the Russians presented a problem for the 37mm and 50mm armed vehicles during Operation Barbarossa that needed to be solved quickly. Combining the Sd.Kfz 9 and the already reputable 88mm Flak 37 created a more mobile version of the dreaded anti-tank/anti-aircraft cannon allowing for some German units to dispatch heavy armor or aircraft at a moment's notice. The lack of armor or protection on the vehicle was of course a downside but nevertheless being able to pull something into action against the new Russian tanks proved useful in the long run.
In game it has a number of both upsides and downsides with the vehicle being somewhat mobile but lacking armor which results in quick deaths if the user is not careful. A lightning fast reload allows you to knock out numerous vehicles in quick succession provided you place yourself in an advantageous position. Vulnerable to everything under the sun there's always going to be some threat that proves fatal to this large battle bus. But given the proper distance and aim there's virtually nothing that you cannot take down with the tried and true 88mm Flak 37.
Known to many as the Hetzer (or Chaser) this light tank destroyer was one of the ultimate forms of the Panzer 38(t). Armed with a 7.5cm Pak 39 and firing the same ammunition as the Panzer IV and StuG III series vehicles, the Hezter was a small package with a big bite. But due to the already overloaded nature of the Panzer 38(t) the Hetzer sacrificed a lot of it's armor on the sides and top to provide a suitable front plate for taking hits. Serving until the end of the war and in a couple of post war Armies it's said that the Hetzer is one of the most numerous surviving German vehicles.
In game the Hetzer is a joy to play with it's powerful cannon and good frontal armor. Mobility could be better but it's aged chassis keeps the vehicle down in this regard. While the Hetzer has good frontal armor the sides and especially the top are very thin resulting in basic calibers from aircraft being lethal. Small size gives you the advantage of ambushing and sneaky movements while keeping your effectiveness high. This vehicle is best played methodically with a keen sense for defensive positions that are not easily outflanked.
Developed to be a successor to the StuG, the Jagdpanzer IV (also known as the Panzer IV/70) series was geared with destroying tanks in mind. Unlike the StuG the Jagdpanzer IV as the name implies was built upon the Panzer IV series which gave it the ability to lumber both a heavier gun and heavier armor. The vehicle was put into production during the final month of 1943 and was produced until it's factory was captured by allied forces. Keeping in line with the StuG's low profile and high velocity gun, the Jagdpanzer IV was very successful for most of it's career as a tank destroyer but performed poorly when used as an assault gun. The numerous variants of the series allowed for a more universal capabilities when it came to destroying tanks.
As said the numerous vehicles resulted in numerous loadouts and this is reflected upon in game with the Jagdpanzer IV being armed with the 7.5cm Pak 39 and later vehicles being armed with the much more powerful 7.5cm Pak 42. All vehicles in this series are vulnerable to transmission case hits which can often lead to the death of the driver but the sturdier upper armor allows for the vehicle to (usually) take a hit or two. The main difference between the V (Vomag) and A (Alkett) vehicles is the existence of a flat strip of 80mm armor on the front of the A version's superstructure. Due to this much weaker portion of armor the A sees a much lower battle rating and as such a much higher success rating given the proper attention.
The playstyle of these vehicles are very similar to the StuG but should be played with the idea that your armor isn't always going to save you. That being said the vehicles are rather sturdy and when played at a distance can survive a multitude of hits. All three vehicles are very effective in their role as tank destroyers and as such are highly recommended to anyone interested in them.
The German Nashorn (or Rhinoceros) was yet another in the long list of tank destroyers based on the Panzer IV chassis. This behemoth was armed with the dreaded 8.8cm Pak 43 that allowed it to neutralize enemy targets at a distance of over 2,000 meters. The biggest downsides of this vehicle are it's size and light armor which while being a benefit on the Eastern Front; proved to be a liability when fighting the American forces in the mountainous of Italy. Beginning it's production run in early 1943 it was one of the first successful attempts to arm a vehicle with the heavy 8.8cm Pak 43. It served until the end of the war with only a few examples surviving.
As stated above the light armor and size of the vehicle makes the Nashorn an easy target even at a distance in game. The open topped nature of the vehicle allows for aircraft and artillery to make quick work of it and usually it's not putting up much of a fight. But when put in a position where it can safely engage enemy tanks the heavy gun makes quick work of almost any enemy vehicle on the map. Recommended if you enjoy destroying enemy heavy tanks with little to no effort.
The Versuchsflakwagen or Grille 10 is a rather rare vehicle with it's prototype phase not producing a production variant. Other than it's original purpose as an assault gun not much else is know about the vehicle. However halfway through it's development it was decided to make it more of a multiple purpose vehicle that could engage aircraft. Three prototypes were made and not much else was done with the vehicle after 1942.
This vehicle is rather broken in game with it's armor not being thick enough to detonate certain fuses and it's reload being absurdly quick. I've personally had this misfortune of shooting this vehicle for nothing to happen due to the shells penetrating the armor but not detonating. The vehicle comes in two flavors with it's sides up protecting the gun crew or the sides down allowing for the gun to rotate on it's platform. The latter seems to be the more popular set up given the nature of self propelled guns. The ammo also sits far below the gun preventing detonation in most scenarios. Overall a complete menace when used correctly, this vehicle surprisingly hasn't been nerfed into the ground yet.
The Waffentrager or Weapons Carrier was another prototype designed to carry the heavy 8.8cm Pak 43 but this time with an emphasis on cheap and ease of manufacture. The vehicle was designed to have an open topped turret and a low silhouette which was already popular with other effective tank destroyers. Unfortunately like many other prototypes this version lost to a competitor's design and only one was built with no production units being ordered.
However this vehicle can be a breath of fresh air to tank destroyer players due to the existence of a turret. With poor mobility the vehicle still requires setting up and an advantageous position for most engagements. But you will be hard pressed to find an enemy vehicle you cannot tackle from afar with the Pak 43. Playing this vehicle like a mobile anti tank gun is a good strategy with no heavy armor to speak of and being vulnerable to any enemy action. Open fields and staying away from tight corners will provide you with enough room and time to score well in the Waffentrager.
A rather famous tank destroyer with a unique design that proved to be extremely effective. Based on the Panther series it incorporated the heavy frontal armor and combined it with the powerful 8.8cm Pak 43 (noticing a pattern yet?). With roughly 400 models being produced from early 1944 until the end of the war, the Jagdpanther was the first true combination of armor and firepower that wasn't constantly breaking down or getting stuck with the Ferdinand's poor mobility. Serving until the end of the war in heavy tank destroyer battalions it was loved by crews and critiques alike.
In game it finds it's self in an advantageous position with it's opposition often being Shermans, T-34s and early Centurion or M26 tanks. While not impervious to all enemy fire and suffering from a couple of weakspots in it's armor, the Jagdpanther is a truly an enjoyable tank destroyer that often finds it's self over extended which is arguably it's biggest downside. Suffering from the same poor reverse gear system as the Panther it's advised not to push past the front line unless there's an urgent reason.
The long list of Porsche prototypes and designs usually leads to dead end prototypes with no production, however the Ferdinand (and Elefant) are not such vehicles. Built upon the Porsche Tiger chassis the Ferdinand was a large heavy vehicle that suffered from numerous faults such as reliability issues, overweight failures and poor maneuverability. It was armed with the fearsome Kwk 43 and while it was effective on the steppes of the Eastern Front where virtually no tank could outrange or outgun the vehicle it unfortunately suffered heavily in the Mountainous terrain of Italy where it was often engaged at much shorter distances. The vehicle was produced in the dozens and never got over it's reliability issues.
In game this vehicle shines as a somewhat super heavy tank destroyer boasting 200mm of frontal armor that allows it to withstand a large percentage of standard AP shot. Poor speed and maneuverability shows often with the vehicle being outflanked if the driver does not take the proper precautions. An excellent sniper and good for open fields the Ferdinand/Elephant only sees issues when it begins to fight shaped charge projectiles or hyper velocity AP rounds. An excellent addition to the 6.7 line up for Germany especially if you feel that you're lacking in heavy frontal armor.
One of the last vehicles produced by the German army in the second world war. The Jagdtiger was the culmination of years of tank destroyer design which ultimately fell flat on it's face. The already overweight chassis of the Tiger II was forced to bear even more weight strained the relatively weak engine which induced numerous mechanical failures and ultimately provide a very poor vehicle that rarely worked. Combat records show that most Jagdtigers were lost to failures instead of enemy action but when the vehicle was used properly it was virtually invulnerable to the front from most projectiles. Ironically the first Jagdtiger was destroyed due to American infantry with a Bazooka. Only 80 were produced and they served until the end of the war.
Sometimes War Thunder's lack of mechanics provide benefits to certain vehicles and the Jagdtiger is one of them. Similar to the Ferdinand it's slow, large and heavy which leads to a relatively immobile machine but when put into the right position provides a fearsome roadblock that can withstand almost every standard AP shots and even some HEAT projectiles. The armor which has a thickness of up to 250mm allows for frontal assaults against certain tanks and excellent defense against others but be aware that the anemic engine and poor side armor will prove to be your downfall if you don't play with caution. It's an exceptional addition to any 6.7 line up with it's 128mm Pak 44 that can knock down just about any enemy tank within firing distance.
By the late 1950s the newly founded West German Republic and Bundeswehr found it's self with a strikingly apparent shortage of modern tanks. Supply from the US only allowed for vehicles that the US no longer wanted to use (such as M47s) and as such the Germans contacted Hanomag and Henschel to build prototypes of a new tank destroyer. The first prototypes were created in the early 60s but it wasn't until 1965 that the Kanonenjagdpanzer entered production and service with the Bundeswehr. Unfortunately the development of new Soviet T-64 and T-72 series tanks put a short service life on the Kanonenjagdpanzer.
This vehicle is a step away from the usual German thinking of heavy hard hitting gun with a slow up armored chassis, instead you are provided with a speedy vehicle that allows for hit and run tactics while having a somewhat short BK-90 90mm gun that utilizes HEAT as it's main offensive shell. This allows for the vehicle to take on heavy enemy armor from most distances. It's speed comes at a price of minimal armor which can be apparent if you're used to play the earlier heavy SPGs that can be rather forgiving if you take a hit. Choose ambush positions wisely and run away if you sense the position is about to be attacked. Ultimately it's a breath of fresh air in comparison to the slow heavy tank destroyers that come before it.
The Kanonenjagdpanzer's short service life led to a revolutionary design change when it came to tank destroyers in service with the Bundeswehr. Since the 1950s the Anti Tank Guided Missile had forced not only a change in tactics but a change in design when it came to tank warfare. The existing SS.11 and HOT missiles were provided to the Bundeswehr and were mounted on a light and versatile chassis. This combination which went into service around 1967 provided a long range anti tank vehicle that could knock out most enemy tanks without closing the distance. Altho the MCLOS nature of the SS.11 was a downside it was still praised for it's abilities. The later version armed with HOT SACLOS missiles which was fielded in 1978 provided a much easier and effective platform. Both vehicles were arguably dated for their service lives but they proved effective and served until 1982.
Both vehicles are perform well in War Thunder with their speed, maneuverability, armor and chassis being the same. However the armament is vastly different in performance and effectiveness. The SS.11's MCLOS (Multiple Command Line of Sight) nature forces the player to utilize archaic controls to guide the missile on target. However this comes with the upside of having two missiles ready in comparison to the HOT's one. The HOT is much more streamlined and user friendly due to the updated SACLOS (Semi Active Command Light of Sight) system. Allowing players to engage heavy enemy targets from behind hills and at extreme distances. With virtually no armor and vulnerable to enemy fire at any distance it's advised to move after expending ammunition to avoid counter attacks. Being some of the oldest ATGM carriers in the game they're hard to go wrong with.
Abnormal, Unorthodox and downright strange. The VT1-2 or Versuchsträger VT1-2 was a test bed vehicle designed and produced by the Bundeswehr during the 1970s as apart of the Leopard I replacement program. Armed with two 120mm L/44s in a casemate design backed by a monstrous engine. The vehicle's life as a test bed was short lived and it obviously didn't reach production. But the interesting takeaways from this program included the potential effectiveness of using more than one gun, the above average mobility that could be in theory included in a upcoming production main battle tank, the idea of decreasing the overall crew compartment space and risk to crew members as well as the concept of using autoloaders to replace loaders similar to how the Soviets were doing at the time. Fortunately replaced by the Leopard 2 in the upcoming years the VT1-2 was a beneficial testbed but not much more.
In game this vehicle is blistering fast for it's size and armament. It's dual 120mm cannons can be tamed with proper use of the hull aiming mode which allows for players to quickly get guns on target. The left gun reloads in 5 seconds while the right gun reloads in 7 seconds which in theory allows you to be able to fire 3 rounds in 10 seconds. Utilizing flanking routes and sniping spots it's easy to see why the VT1-2 could be a beloved vehicle but due to it's casemate design it can falter in close combat situations or in the event of being flanked. Due to being a rare (and now expensive) vehicle it's not only uncommon but difficult to obtain.
As times changed and the ATGM revolutionized tank warfare it became exceedingly obvious that mobile warfare was the way of the future and as such vehicles or infantry that couldn't keep up would be left behind. The BGM-71 TOW developed in the 1960s proved to be one of the world's best ATGMs at the time and the Germans wanted to mount it on a mobile vehicle which could provide support with air dropped infantry as the usual stand and set up for the TOW was not only heavy but time consuming. The Wiesel AMC provided a small and light weight chassis that could remedy the issues and provide a fast enough vehicle to fit the bill. As it's been upgraded numerous times throughout it's service life, the Wiesel family of vehicles doesn't seem to have an end in sight.
Small, Fast, Hard hitting. It's hard to go wrong with this vehicle even at higher tiers. It's small enough to hide in plain sight while allowing for a quick response to almost all threats. The TOW's versatility gives it a top attack ability with later modifications meaning that no enemy is beyond your capabilities. But as it stands with great power comes great vulnerability. It's vulnerable to every threat under the sun with single strafing runs being fatal in most cases. With many traits of a light tank such as scouting and mobility it's simple to provide a good firing position for the Wiesel. Hull down capabilities also allow for the vehicle to minimize the potential return fire but be aware of the ammo track being exposed in case of disaster.
As it might be obvious the design philosophy for German tanks didn't change much throughout the Second World War but as times shifted so did their thinking. From some of the heaviest and slowest vehicles ever to be fielded by a standing army to being apart of the fastest airdropped vehicles armed with heavy weapons. The German tank destroyer tree is one of those of which if you like one you'll typically enjoy the rest as the playstyle and capabilities of each vehicle differs minimally through each iteration. With most of these vehicles being renown by their crews and combat tested to some degree they're hard to dislike unless you're usually facing against them. Ultimately one of the best tank destroyer trees in the game by pure number of vehicles with proper care and attention it's easy to find a vehicle that you can enjoy.
Thanks for reading if you have any questions, suggestions or would like to suggest an article you can find us on discord at https://discord.gg/A3BTNkdTYE or if you want to talk to the author his discord is Shermy#2519.
I would like to announce to any CDK creators out there, please be on the lookout for any issue such as the following: https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/544541-mission-editor-inconsistent-cache/
Situations like this are reoccurring more often, with lots of CDK creators...
Bebbsy40#1366 "Hey, I was half way through it and my CDK crashed. Now I can't load the CDK. I've re-installed and everything, nothing seems to work. I've been trying to fix it for the past few days :(" Still down!
Just be aware all Event Server, this might happen to you or your CDK contacts.
Now, War Thunder Historical Customs Needs Your Help!! Operation Husky could possibly be in jeopardy because many of my main CDK contacts have found their CDKs have been unresponsive! So, we need people who have the War Thunder CDK, who are quite experienced, to help! Join War Thunder Historical Customs Discord Server to help out with Operation Husky Event: https://discord.gg/seX4K5gh8Y
WTHC Event - (Invasion of Sicily) Operation Husky (Air/Ground/Naval Realistic Battle w/ Markers Off & FPS Views)
Join us February 26th at USA: 11:00 AM MST in War Thunder for Historical 64 player Event in the European Theater - (Invasion of Sicily) Operation Husky (Air/Ground/Naval Realistic Battle w/ Markers Off & FPS Views), Direct-Message @Reborn_Bird_Fish#6220 or @AmbassadorofAP#7736 for any questions. Discord invite can be found below.
- Time Conversions: USA: 11:00 AM MST, 1:00 PM EST, 12:00 PM CST, 10:00 AM PST, UK: 6:00 PM GMT
- All Unit Commander's are going to need speaking/working Discord Alt Accounts
- The hype trailer will be on our Discord Server so be on the lookout for that!!
Vehicles Spreadsheet(Actively Updated): WTHC - Operation Husky - Google Sheets
Organizer/More information contact: Reborn_Bird_Fish#6220
War Thunder Historical Customs (WTHC) is dedicated to providing a historically accurate recreation in custom battles, focusing on portraying real historic conflicts, strong team-play, and a lot of fun in the process. We try to help players step away from the average AB/RB Game Modes and come and join a Historical Reenactment of History, Strategy and Tactics are heavily used in our events. Each event will provide players hours of fun, whilst content creators get the best experience for their next cinematic! Get involved, and Join War Thunder Historical Customs Discord Server: https://discord.gg/seX4K5gh8Y
It's once again early November and if you know anything about War Thunder then you know it's discount time. With the game's 9th birthday bringing a large amount of offers, events, and even rare vehicles. But If you're like me you're always looking for the best deal for your money and usually that's not the easiest thing to find. Especially when the choices are so many and the variety is so thick you're left in more of a confusion after you've had a long scroll through the store page. Simply put unless you already have an adept sense of the vehicles in question or have experience with them already it can be difficult to make a decision. So as someone who's had multiple chances to try numerous bundle vehicles I can easily give you the go ahead or advise otherwise of certain packs.
Before we get into the vehicles let me point out a couple of things:
Rating: A
The predecessor to the legendary M1 Abrams, the XM-1 finds it's self at a currently comfortable battle rating that allows it to easy out speed most of it's competition. Armed with a stabilized 105mm gun and APFSDS you will struggle to find targets you cannot easily handle if you use the vehicle's speed to put yourself in the right position. So while the vehicle excels at fast paced gameplay you will also find yourself able to take advantage of hull down positions due to NERA plates in the turret and a overall gun depression of -10 degrees. Unfortunately you will be the victim of Helicopters, high speed ATGMs as well as enemy vehicles up to 10.3 when using the XM-1 but that doesn't stop the vehicle from performing well against strong opposition.
Overall the XM-1 is an exceptional vehicle that is extremely versatile in the hands of an aggressive player and it's certainly recommended to purchase this vehicle if you're attempting to climb your way through the American ranks.
This pack also includes: Premium Account for 15 days and 2000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C-
With the announcement of the Israeli tree I could imagine this vehicle being pulled from sale for the US Tree soon, that being said the Magach 3 is based off the US M48 series medium tank and has quite the array of upgrades in comparison. Upgunned to a 105mm and now freshly armed with better HEATFS while being defended by new ERA plates that protect up to an extra 260mm against HEAT, the Magach finds it's self a rather comfortable spot against it's adversaries. Mobility is nothing special to speak of with an average top speed at best. The playstyle of this vehicle is interesting due to the vehicle being a jack of all trades yet the master of none. It performs well as an offensive and defensive vehicle while filling all the roles of a medium tank. It does have a tendency to perform poorly in an uptier.
To put it simply this is just an M48 with extra steps, while it does perform better than the M48 and M60 tech tree variants it doesn't put forth enough to be unique in comparison. I would honestly recommend you spend your money on a Talisman for the M48/M60 instead.
This pack also includes: Premium Account for 15 days and 2000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
The culmination of US heavy tank design in the mid 1940s, the T29 series heavy tank was designed specifically for breaking through the German defenses built up around the Rhine river. Fortunately for us the vehicle never entered service and was regulated to a prototype vehicle. In game however this heavy tank shines with it's heavy 105mm cannon and adequate armor. Boasting a grand total of 253mm of penetration with it's APCBC the T13 shell was affectionately named the "Nuke Shell" by some players. The mobility for this heavy tank is above average which has a tendency to encourage a player to overextend. The lowerplate on this vehicle is a necessity to hide due to it's low armor and explosive ending after penetration.
If you've been looking for an enjoyable heavy tank that has the firepower and protection needed to bring home a victory then the T29 might be your best option, as an avid enjoyer of the T29/T30/T34 series heavy tanks I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking for a lower cost US premium bundle.
This pack includes: Premium Account for 7 days and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
The lighter counterpart of the F-4 series, the F-5C finds it's self extremely comfortable with it's impressive array of weaponry. While not being as modern as the F-5E, the F-5C doesn't lack too far behind. Armed with dual 20mm cannons and AiM-9Es the nimble F-5C can turn and burn it's way through most engagements. Even for those who are looking for a ground support aircraft the F-5C will easily supply enemy ground targets with 4 AGM-12 Bullpups or up to 2,000 kg of bombs. The F-5C performs amazing in it's fighter role with it's 560 rounds of 20mm ammunition that if used correctly can easily obtains a pilot an ace. Even during defensive flying it boasts a total of 60 flares! compared to the F-5E's 45.
Realistically the only draw backs of the aircraft include the lack of a radar, the poor high altitude performance and the somewhat underpowered engines. But that doesn't stop the aircraft from performing well at it's current battle rating. The F-5C is thoroughly recommended for most applications.
This pack includes: 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
The Harrier is well known for it's VTOL capabilities, but just how does the AV-8A perform in War Thunder? It's a transonic aircraft that is reasonably armed with dual 30mm cannons and the impressive AIM-9G. But while it has high acceleration it doesn't have the greatest maneuverability. In Air Realistic battles it's air spawn will certainly give it an early game edge so make sure to use it before the enemy has a proper chance to react. While it does possess ground attack load outs they're not the greatest and overall rather subpar in comparison to other aircraft of similar battle rating.
Simply put this is just a copy of the AV-8C that currently exists in the tree, the only difference to my knowledge is that the AV-8A gets 240 countermeasures in comparison to the AV-8C's 60. Personally I wouldn't recommend due to the exact vehicle already existing in the tech tree.
This pack includes: Premium Account for 15 days and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: F
I'll be honest this is a waste of money. The aircraft is no different in comparison to the F-86F-25 and is only different by having a different skin. If you heavily enjoy Sabres then I could possibly recommend it but otherwise I would skip it due to the horrible BR compression and copy paste nature of this bundle.
This pack includes: 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C
Like above this aircraft is again found in numerous iterations and is in no way different in comparison. However, due to the relatively low price of this bundle of this bundle in the fact that it's much more competitive in gameplay I can easily recommend this plane as a much cheaper alternative in comparison to the higher priced packs.
The P-51D-20 plays like the typical P-51 armed with 6 .50 caliber machine guns and a small assortment of bombs and rockets. While it can support ground forces it performs much better as an air superiority aircraft. If you're strapped for cash and want to break into the US jets then I would certainly recommend this bundle, otherwise I would keep looking.
This bundle includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles (I would honestly suggest buying this bundle on sale purely for the Premium and GE)
Rating: B-
Built as a prototype to test the new L/44 in the 1980s, the Leopard L/44 is an improvement over the tech tree Leopard A1A1 while only being different in having a superior main gun. Otherwise it's more or less the same vehicle. The Leopard L/44 is arguably inferior to the Leopard 1A5 of the same battle rating due to the latter having higher penetration and thermal optics. Quick, somewhat lightly armed, stabilized and easy to learn. The Leopard is a solid investment if you're trying to get into Germany's top tier tanks.
At the same time however it would be much more economical to put a talisman on the A1A1 which currently rests at a lower battle rating than the L/44. But if you can pay the price I'd certainly recommend the vehicle due to it's ability to punch well above it's weight.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B
This pack is what's considered old but gold as it dates back towards 2016 of release so numerous players already have this vehicle and there's a good reason why. The Sla.16 diesel engine is what sets this vehicle apart from it's tech tree brother. Only differing in mobility and a paint job, the Sla.16 is a faster version of the already well known and all around liked German heavy tank. It's playstyle is slow and reserved with the vehicle being well suited for long range combat.
Unfortunately there's not much else that sets it apart, that being said during the sale it's a worthwhile investment if you're looking to get into the German tank tree.
This pack includes Premium account for 7 days and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
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Rating: C-
Another pack that is based on a vehicle that already has numerous iterations in the game. As a MiG-21 player you have good acceleration and engine performance while suffering heavily in energy retention. Personally I think the weapons are rather lacking with limited missile options and being forced to choose between taking cannons or countermeasures. Ground attacking capabilities are also limited with only a handful of bombs and rockets per sortie. Due to it's high battle rating unless you're familiar with the opposition you will find yourself struggling with enemy vehicles quite often.
In conclusion I cannot recommend this due it being extremely expensive while bringing nothing to the table other than a new skin. It would be much cheaper to talisman the already existing MiG-21s or buy one off the market.
This pack includes Premium Account for 15 days and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B-
The G.91 series aircraft have recently become a favorite among early BR jet pilots. However this one has some interesting quirks while causing quite the fuss in ground battles. Armed with M3 .50s which are relatively lackluster as well as AIM-9B Air to Air Missiles the R/4 has good air superiority abilities. It's better than most in the turn fight but it's top speed is rather slow in comparison to some of the other vehicles it faces. In the ground support role the Nord missiles make quick work of enemy tanks while having a fortunate enough battle rating to avoid most SAM platforms. (But watch out for proximity fuse!)
Overall it's a good buy if you're looking for a nimble and versatile German light fighter, but this vehicle does exist with more heavily armed cannons in the tech tree already.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
Certainly one of the oldest bundles still available for sale but by no means a sleeper. The D-13 is still extremely competitive with it's triple 20mm MG 151s and DB 605 engine which make it a great Boom and Zoom aircraft. Ample ammo and good climb rate will lead you to high altitude fights which you'll usually have the upper hand in. With a minimal but still effective selection of bombs the D-13 does have ground support capabilities. On unlucky days you might encounter jet aircraft but due to the performance it should be easy to deal with said threats.
Honestly speaking there are much better ways to spend your money but for what you get with this bundle you can set yourself up with some of the higher tier German planes quite easily.
This bundle includes: 15 days of Premium Account and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
Starting out extremely strong with good APFSDS, Thermals for both Gunner and Commander, ERA bricks covering a large chunk of armor, and even a freshly mounted Dozer Blade the T-72AV is arguably the fastest way to experience what top tier tanks have to offer. This is however still a T-72 which means very weak side armor and poor reverse gears so be sure to think ahead before charging into enemy lines. At the same time you'll also be fighting some of the best equipment at the game so it can be challenging to get used to if you're not familiar with the high battle rating.
While the T-72AV turms gets a few extra tricks in comparison to most vehicles of similar battle rating it does have the same issues the average T-72 suffers from, that being said it's still an amazing buy overall.
This pack also includes: 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: A+
I can almost not put into words how much I enjoy this vehicle. It takes the already reliable and rugged T-55 series tank and makes it absolutely exceptional. APFSDS, Composite packages, Stabilizer, ATGM, high mobility, laser rangefinder, reasonable reload and even a favorable battle rating. The T-55AM-1 is an absolute steal with it's versatility and heavy hitting firepower. This vehicle excels even in up tiers against better armored tanks. The drawbacks however do include it's lack of gun depression, holes in it's composite armor package and it's somewhat slower than average reload (when compared to 105mm armed NATO tanks).
Personally I can't get enough of it, the sleek and menacing design mixed with fun and action packed gameplay makes this vehicle a must have for enjoyers of Soviet Cold War equipment. I thoroughly recommend it.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
Certainly the definition of glass cannon, the Object 120 boasts an autoloading 152mm that packs more penetration power than some high tier tanks. The gun however is arguably the only good thing about the vehicle considering it's large size and thin armor making the vehicle extremely susceptible to over pressure and aircraft. Distance will be your best friend as your laser fast APFSDS or punishing HEATFS can easily cripple any enemy caught within it's grasp. But getting to a good spot can be troublesome due to the somewhat average mobility and tricky gun handling on the Object 120.
The Object 120 suffers greatly from the circumstances of the map you load into, close combat means quick deaths and unless you have good sight lines you will find yourself in poor situations often. Overall it's honestly down to personal taste because the vehicle it's self isn't bad.
Rating: D
Another vehicle that's past it's prime. While the 122mm gun can still knock down enemies the armor isn't much greater than say the IS-3 that now exists at a lower battle rating. Your biggest advantage over other contemporary heavy tanks will be your faster reload. Overall the IS-6 is still a potent vehicle but numerous nerfs and BR changes have put it into a situation where it fights HEAT and ATGMs on a regular basis.
I'd recommend skipping this one because honestly it's not 2017 anymore.
This pack also includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
The new swept wing attacker line of the Soviet Air Force has brought quite the amount of new toys to tinker with. However this one lacks most of them. Only being armed with twin 30mm cannons with a short list of bombs and rockets the Su-7BMK is at best a decent ground attacker. It lacks air to air missiles which keeps it's capabilities against enemy aircraft rather limited unless you use it's large engine to put yourself at an advantage.
Overall it's a short and sweet ground attacker that doesn't have the versatility of other aircraft but does have the speed to get the job done fast. Depends on your needs.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B-
Seen as the formal rival to the Harrier, the Yak-38 has VTOL capabilities that make it stand out in comparison to most other aircraft. Luckily this aircraft can handle more situations than just one. Armed with an array of weapons the Yak-38 can manage both air superiority and ground support. R-60 Air to Air missiles and 23mm cannons are good choices for combating aircraft but interestingly enough you cannot equip both at the same time. Lacking countermeasures and a high top speed the Yak-38 finds it's self in a precarious positions sometimes.
So while the aircraft has differing loadouts for most situations it does seem to have some heavy drawbacks when it comes to dedicating it's self to either role. This one again comes down to player preference since not everyone enjoys doing one specific thing.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B-
Another in the now long list of copy paste premiums that came out around the time of supersonic aircraft. The Cuban MIG-17AS is just a MIG-17 with an extra modification, which happen to be air to air missiles. The R3S air to air missiles are useful in most cases and the aircraft happens to not only already be capable but also have capable matchmaking. Most of the opponents it faces can be taken down given the proper amount of skill and willpower.
While not being unique it is still an extremely potent aircraft which does well even in an uptier.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
What can be considered a "Heavy Attacker" the Tu-1 is armed to the teeth with twin 45mm cannons and a supplementary armament of two more 23mm cannons. What's even more interesting is that this aircraft is equipped with an early radar which could help in locating bombers or other enemy aircraft. It's bomb selection is simplistic but good with the ability to carry up to 3,000 kg. It's even relatively well defended with two 12.7mm guns located before the tail. It's punishing front armament should certainly be afraid of unless you're looking to lose your aircraft quickly.
Overall it's what you pay for, a ground attacker that can deliver astonishing results when used properly. Would recommend.
This pack comes with 7 days of Premium Account and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
The heavily modified Israeli Centurion finds it's self in an extremely interesting position with it's extra armor, stabilized gun, APFSDS rounds and decent mobility. At the battle rating where APFSDS only barely begins to seep it's way into every match the Sho't Kal is surprisingly extremely strong even in an uptier. The ERA vaguely helps against incoming HEAT/AGTM threats and I wouldn't rely on it too heavily to save you. The addition of a .50 and smoke grenades come in handy in certain situations.
If you're looking to get into the British tank tree this would arguably be a good buy but you might have to get used to it's slow playstyle in comparison to some of the faster enemy vehicles.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
What once was a unique premium is now backlined by the fact a similar and arguably superior vehicle now exists in the tech tree. The Rooikat 105 lacks the autoloader that the tech tree variant possesses but in exchange it has a smaller turret. Simply put it's another in a long line of wheeled vehicles so if you're looking for cap points or a quick flank this would be a good investment. But due to the poor in game physics and the current implementation of wheeled vehicles I would advise you not to expect the greatest offroad performance.
Like I said it's not that unique anymore due to numerous other iterations already existing in the tree and it would be much cheaper to just purchase a talisman for the existing vehicles, but if you're a fan of fast vehicles with hard hitting guns this might be the pack for you.
This pack also includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B-
Situational at best, but a heavy hitter nonetheless. A sort of demolition vehicle, the AVRE was designed for assault well defended buildings and bunkers and not fighting tanks. But since War Thunder doesn't have either the vehicle finds it's self in somewhat of an interesting position. The 165mm cannon is only armed with HESH that greatly decreases it's already minimal muzzle velocity. Backed with a short reload this vehicle is an up close and personal weapon that is best used in support of friendly units. It includes ERA bricks and even the ability to repair others regardless if you're in a squad or not.
Due to it's lethal ability to put down any target with a single hit and it's unique style, the AVRE sits comfortably as one of the better British packs to purchase.
This pack comes with 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating C-
Another addition to the long list of already existing aircraft, the Rhodesian Hunter FGA.9 is armed with AIM-9E air to air missiles which helps it to stand out from it's earlier brother the F.1 while also having reinforced wing spars that allow it to achieve higher speeds without ripping into shreds. Unfortunately the Hunter FGA.9 lacks flares and faces quite the amount of issues regarding fights above it's Battle Rating. The vehicle also suffers from a very small fuel load in comparison to it's adversaries. I personally think the vehicle is too high in battle rating for it to be effective on a regular basis.
With a multitude of other premiums and options for British Air this is another vehicle I'd recommend you skip.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Wyvern S4
Rating: A+
Finishing off with an exceptional vehicle, the older Wyvern S4 bundle is still an amazing grab for those attempting to get into the British Air Tree. Armed with quad 20mm Hispano Mk Vs, an impressive array of bombs and a criminally low battle rating for it's performance, the Wyvern is an exceptional vehicle in the hands of those who know it's strengths. Utilizing a turboprop the vehicle can reach impressive speeds and easily outrun most opponents given early warning. However it suffers heavily in the maneuverability department and has troubles keeping it's energy retained in prolonged fights. equipped with air brakes as well as RP-3s the Wyvern performs it's strike aircraft duties astonishingly well.
Whether you want to destroy tanks or demolish enemy aircraft the Wyvern S4 is easily one of the better contenders to get the job done right.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C
What once was a very good investment due to the lack of Type 74s in game is now another stepping stone in the Japanese tree. The Type 74 G isn't a bad vehicle by any means but for it's performance the price is somewhat subpar. It plays like the average NATO main battle tank of the BR. with average armor, average mobility and a slightly above average gun (due to it's domestic shells) so you can expect the works of a stabilized L7 platform.
Simply put you get what you pay for, nothing special as it's simply the average run of the mill Japanese Main Battle Tank.
This pack comes with 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: D-
If it wasn't obvious by now Gaijin has lacked creativity recently when it comes to making new premium packs. The F-86F-40 is a copy paste of the already existing F-86F-40. You'll meet vehicles you have no hopes of beating in uptiers and perform about average on downtiers. This isn't a vehicle I'd recommend to someone trying to get into the Japanese air tree as there are much better alternatives.
Skip it, it's not worth your time.
This pack comes with 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
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Rating: C
With the only Italian entry in this guide due to lack of alternatives, The OF-40 Mk.2 MCTA follows in the footsteps of it's in tree variants. With not much that separates it's self from it's other variants. Similar to the Type 74 G in this regard, it is still well equipped with APFSDS, a more powerful engine compared, smoke and some composite armor in the sides of the turret. The playstyle is similar to that of your average 8.7 NATO Main Battle Tank.
Unfortunately it's at a high BR for it to really shine, I'd honestly suggest getting something else over this one.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
A direct improvement overall in comparison to the tech tree AMX-30 tanks, the AMX-30 super is equipped with a Stabilzer that greatly enhances the performance of the already stunning vehicles. However the stabilizer and improved engine performance is about all you get over the tech tree tanks. In fact it could be argued that the AMX-30B2 BRENUS is a somewhat superior vehicle due to having ERA and electronic countermeasures while lacking the Stabilzer. But as most tanks that have been put up for bundles at this BR you get more or less the same thing.
But if you're looking for an enjoyable experience I'd recommend the cheaper AMX-30 premium or just obtaining the tech tree vehicles due to them being at a much more competitive battle rating.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
Taking the existing AMX-50 and transforming it from a medium to a heavy tank, the autoloading Somua SM is something to be feared by all who would dare approach it. While not as agile as it's 40 ton brother the Lorraine 40t, the Somua is easily one of the best tanks at it's battle rating. If you manage to damage an enemy with it's 100mm cannon you can easily destroy him and the next couple enemies in line due to it's 4 second autoloader. It should be noted however that while the frontal armor is certainly something to rely on, it's side and rear armor is less than desired. Due to fighting HEAT projectiles it will often end up with frontal penetrations but with good positioning and a keen eye the Somua is certainly to be a fan favorite.
All in all the Somua SM is a solid investment for those looking to get their hooks into the French Tree, with more than enough armor to be a heavy tank and a gun that can easily neutralize any enemy.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
Reaching speeds close to the sound barrier, the French jet bomber found it's way into Israeli services sometime in the 1950s. While this aircraft already exists as it's own aircraft in the tree, this variant is armed with the Shafrir Air to Air missiles. Arguably the defintion of pay to win, the Vautour's bomber spawn puts it in a good position to take advantage of enemy bombers or unsuspecting fighters. With the same loadouts as the tech tree bomber including bombs and rockets , it can easily support any ground games you might have. Just make sure to watch out for enemy AA.
With the air to air missiles being the only real difference the Vautour isn't too unique, especially considering the almost imminent Israeli Air Tree.
This pack comes with 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles
Rating: D+
The age old method of taking existing vehicles and attempting to make them better doesn't always work with for the Chinese and for the Bangladeshi this vehicle is no exception. The Type-69 II G is a duct tape attempt to make an aging tank modern once again. Armed with a 105mm cannon that fires HEAT, AFPSDS, and HE-VT, the vehicle lacks heavily in the defense department. The same hull and turret armor of the earlier Type 69 with some ERA tacked on. While the ERA helps against HEAT and ATGMs it does nothing in the face of APFSDS. A slow turret traverse and old powertrain keep it's mobility low. But in the hands of a skilled player I'm sure the vehicle can easily rack up the kills given the proper time, attention and map layout.
There are much better alternatives and this vehicle is a poor excuse for a pack.
This pack also includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
An adept ground attacker at best and an above average multirole fighter at worst. The Pakistani A-5C is a modification of the existing Q-5 series aircraft. Heavily armed with twin 23mm cannons and an amazing selection of bombs, rockets, and two types of air to air missiles, the A-5 is by no means to be underestimated. With the ability to support a team in both air and ground combat the aircraft should find it's self right at home in the hands of a multirole pilot. However without it's ground loadouts the A-5C is a menace to enemy aircraft. With two Matra R550 Magic 1 missiles, an air spawn and countermeasures, enemy pilots should be wary of the devastating effect this aircraft has on the early game opening blows.
Given the abilities of the aircraft it's quite easy to recommend it if you're looking to support a high tier Chinese line up.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating C-
Currently the only North Korean vehicle in the game, the F-5 is an interesting bird. With it's upgraded engine that now has an afterburner which the earlier MIG-17 and J-4 lack the F-5's performance moves well above the former. However that is it's only real advantage given the air frame is still the same as well as it's main armament. With the upgraded engine come the addition of of two PL-2 air to air missiles. While the missiles aren't spectacular they can assist in bringing down a couple of enemies from time to time.
Other than the changes mentioned above there isn't much difference and it is suggested to spend your money elsewhere.
This pack comes with 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B
Setting aside the average looking tanks in the game, the CV 90105 light tank prototype features the French 105mm gun that's not only stabilized but also fires German APFSDS. Speedy, somewhat small and agile, the CV 90105 TML is an exceptional support vehicle with it's ability to scout and take advantage of enemy flanks. It is however a light tank so don't expect to take many hits. It's draw backs include poor armor and inadequate gun depression. But it's thermals, laser rangefinder and speed keep it on the front line.
While not an autoloader like it's bigger brother the CV 90120, the CV90105 TML is a neat little vehicle for the battle rating and can easily suppliant any line ups you add it to.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: C+
Sweden is rather infamous for interesting and weird designs so the J35A's appearance might not be surprising to some. The Interceptor found it's roots in the 1960s and grew to be a successful aircraft. Armed with numerous RB24 Air to Air missiles and twin 30mm cannons the J35A is well equipped to deal with multiple foes. Because of it's double delta wing it has very high maneuverability but due to it's earlier model engine it doesn't have the ability to recover energy quickly once it's lost. In the hands of a capable pilot the aircraft performs well but if you're not well versed in jet combat I would suggest looking somewhere else. This aircraft lacks countermeasures.
Unfortunately a much better version of the aircraft exists in the tree so I would have to recommend you wait it out till you get the J35D.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B
Once the holder of a speed record, the interesting J29D is armed with quad 30mm cannons and a handful of rockets. With it's role mostly in air superiority pilots will find themselves dodging enemy air to air missiles somewhat often while having to rely on engine power and skill to place themselves in a good position to counter enemy aircraft. Thankfully even against the more agile enemies the J29D can keep with them due to it's maneuverability.
Overall it would be a smarter option just to obtain the much lower J29A if an individual is looking to play this series of aircraft. But I would still recommend it if you were looking to play Swedish Jets.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: B+
Looking like the child of a BF-109 and G.55, the VL Pyorremyrsky is an interesting fighter that has a supreme blend of speed and maneuverability. Armed with the simplistic loadout of a single 20mm MG 151 and twin 12.7 machine guns the VL Pyorremyrsky packs a punch. However for those looking for a ground support aircraft it's bomb selection is extremely poor with only 400 kg total. Ultimately the vehicle is best suited for boom and zoom tactics due to it's 109 based engine.
There isn't much else to say about the VL Pyorremyrsky other than the fact that it's one of the only Finnish aircraft in the game, but for those with good experiences in the BF 109 I would certainly recommend it.
This pack includes 7 days of Premium Account and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
Disclaimer: Due to the lack of an air tree (and the fact these packs will not be on sale for a while) I strongly recommend against buying Israeli premiums.
Rating: D+
The US based A-4E is an extremely capable strike aircraft with an impressive array of loadouts, with an air spawn in most situations it can easily get an early game advantage on most of it's adversaries or get to an enemy position very quickly. From air to air missiles, rockets, bombs, guided bombs and even extra cannons there's not much the A-4E cannot handle. It also includes countermeasures for those tricky situations. So why the poor rating? because you can get this aircraft without even playing the game if you join a squadron.
I cannot recommend buying a vehicle that you don't have to pay for, plus there had to be something more interesting than the A-4E as an Israeli Premium.
This pack includes 15 days of Premium Account and 2,000 Golden Eagles.
Rating: D-
I'll be honest. I love the LF Mk IX so much I own 4 of them in 3 trees already. The two stage supercharger that lets you climb like a bat out of hell. The UFO style flight model that lets you out turn everything but zeroes. Ample ammo supply and gas guzzling engine. But currently? This spitfire lacks cannon modifications that the other four get. The aircraft does include a limited ground support selection but overall there's no point in using it due to the exceptional status this aircraft gets as an air superiority fighter.
If they fixed the lack of modifications and add an Israeli air tree to the game I would give it a higher rating, but as it stands I would stay away from it for now.
This pack includes 7 days of Premium Account and 1,000 Golden Eagles.
To put it in simple terms, the packs currently on sale aren't usually worth the money. Because as it stands you could save money by buying talismans for the vehicles you already have unlocked and playing them till you achieve the next rank and repeat from there. This also helps because you don't have to put 600 battles on a single vehicle and getting burnt out. But as you can see there are some vehicles worth your time and attention. I'd recommend trying to get packs in two or more vehicle bundles that usually have extra goodies and heavy discounts. Even if you're reading this guide after everything has gone off sale in game just remember that Christmas Sales are just around the corner!
If you've made it this far let me thank you for sticking with it, this is my first contribution to EWT and not only am I looking forward to adding more articles but I'm also looking for feedback as well as criticism. Have something you wanna tell me? Have questions regarding other premiums? Gameplay decisions? or just random questions? Feel free to leave a comment or find me in the EWT discord: https://discord.gg/GXypujtyCD
Thanks for reading and I hope this guide has helped.
Once upon a time in War Thunder, we only had a handful of vehicles and an easy time grinding the limited nations available, fast forward to 2021 and there’s now tenfold the number of vehicles and ordnances available to research for each nation.
It’s no surprise that grinding out research points in War Thunder is challenging when you’re also facing a forever changing economy, constant buffs / nerfs and compression that never makes sense… either way there’s always good tips that can help you grind to top tier vehicles at a faster rate than you normally would.
Sadly, similar game modes have undergone significant changes over the past few months to prevent people from farming points with bombers, it’s one of the hardest game modes to play unless you’re using some fancy gear such as joysticks, track IR and/or VR headsets.
Bombers can be played well if you’re comfortable with a particular vehicle, the rewards have been nerfed so that once you’ve bombed a target you’ll only get half of the points until you land the aircraft and receive the full amount.
Objectives will define the game so try to help complete them as much as possible, this will also help provide a better chance at winning that match too – which will yield you a good amount RP/SL however, you can get a similar reward from realistic games but this would entirely depend on your skills, handling of the vehicle and the team you’re in.
It might be a long road for free-2-play accounts on War Thunder especially since there are so many nations to choose from, one of the biggest faults any F2P player can do if they wish to get to the top tier quickly… is to try and research multiple nations all at once which is also known as spreading your butter too thin. It may take up to around 1 year for you to unlock a 10.7 vehicle if you were to grind the research tree normally, which can seem a long grind for some people.
If you’re a F2P player with rank 5 vehicles and you’re almost scraping the barrel each game to gain enough SL and RP to sustain your grind comfortably… the tips above should help you get back into the swing of things but if you’re struggling whilst playing ground AB/RB then it might be worth switching to Air for a little while as the repair costs are somewhat less.
Don’t think about the grind, that will almost make you want to quit with any game so make sure to enjoy the game modes and vehicles that you play often, try to switch it up between Arcade, Realistic and Assault to keep it interesting if you need to.
As we mentioned at the start of this article, whatever you take away from here to help you in-game will apply differently for everyone else, we all have different play styles and enjoy different game modes so it's no surprise as to why there's no clear winner when it comes to the best singular method of grinding research points.
Just keep in mind that not only is the grind increasingly difficult as more vehicles and nations are added, but also that it's not impossible to get to the top tier - this just may take a fair bit longer if you're a F2P account. So take every opportunity to grab yourself a free premium, daily login reward and/or event vehicles and make sure to stick to one nation at a time if you want top tier quickly!
Best of luck!
If you need people to play with or help grinding your vehicles in War Thunder make sure to come and join our community discord found here: https://discord.gg/8aEVQSeSU5
You’ve finally done it. After a lot of pain and suffering, you have reached rank V or VI aircraft. You assign a crew to your newest toy, and get into a game. You take off like you always do, you get to a fairly high altitude and fly towards an enemy. And then it happens. The 1 enemy you saw turns out to be a pack of 4 enemies. Missiles fly past you left right and center. You dive down in an attempt to dodge them, you pull a lot of G’s and then…..your wing snaps off. We’ve all had this experience, and it can really ruin your fun at top tier battles. But no worries, this guide is here to help you prevent these things. There will also be a list of useful keybinds at the bottom of this article.
First of all, let's talk about the factors you can control, like blacking out because of G-forces or snapping your wing off. Problems like these don’t often occur in a low/mid tier match. You have to get used to factors like these. There are a few in-game indicators to warn you that you are pulling too much G’s. The first one is a warning that says ‘extreme overload’ like shown below.
When you see this appear on your screen, you’ve got to proceed very carefully. If you continue to overload your aircraft this much, it's not a question if your wings will come off, but when they will come off. Most of the time, this warning will be followed by your pilot blacking out. If your pilot blacks out at the wrong angle your plane will crash into the ground and there is nothing you can do about it. That’s why you have to make sure your pilot doesn’t black out in the first place. When your pilot is about to black out, the following will appear on your screen:
In this image the pilot isn’t fully blacked out yet, but he is about to be. When you see this, it is critical that you end the turn immediately. What’s also dangerous is negative G-forces. They occur when you push the nose of the aircraft down. You need a lot less of those to snap your wings off. It takes practice to completely control these elements, but when you do, it's gonna be alot easier to make kills.
Then, there is the absolute pain of dodging missiles. It’s especially difficult when you have an aircraft without countermeasures. You have to dodge missiles with nothing but your superior flying skills. The main problem with top tier flying is that half of the time, you won’t see the missiles coming. You used to get warnings when missiles were launched, but that was removed some time ago. This is where something called situational awareness comes in. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings! This is critical. The minimap is a really useful tool for helping you gain situational awareness.
The following video can be really useful to learn some basic defensive maneuvers: https://youtu.be/6d7mYVGvLq4
What's also important is timing. Take for example the missile seeker. If you activate it too early, there is a chance it will turn off right before you get a missile lock. This can be really frustrating and can also ruin your experience. That's why it's important to only activate the missile seeker when you are sure you’re going to get a missile lock.
Then there is the radar. There are certain aircraft that have radar guided missiles, like the phantom (for more information on the F4 phantom, see our article on the F-4E). Radar guided missiles are a little harder to properly launch, but when the missiles start tracking they are hard to dodge. But don’t get too worried, they aren’t impossible to dodge. The main trick is to fly toward the ground, because the radar will get scrambled by ground objects. It really just takes practice and patience, but when you have it under control, flying at top tier will be a lot of fun 🙂
A list of useful keybinds.
There are a few things that you have to make sure you have bound properly in order to compete with the enemy team. Everyone has different keybinds of course, so keep in mind the following is just an example.
X- Turn missile seeker on/of
R- Toggle radar search
F- Countermeasures
H- Toggle airbrake
[- Flaps up a notch
]- Flaps down a notch
G- Toggle gear up/down
These are some of the most important keybinds, there are more of course, and it's always important to take your time and have a look at all the different options in game.
I hope this was useful to you! Don’t forget to visit our discord server sometime! https://discord.gg/mHQEhzp6
