Planes can be changed, upgraded and modified through every plane's unique skill tree of mods or upgrades. An entire crew slot is required to assign a plane to it and that specific crew must be trained in that type of plane (bomber, fighter etc.) - training usually costs around 200 Silver Lions.Įvery country has a different set of crew slots so it is recommended for new players to dedicate all of their resources earned to one country, at least in the beginning, so that they may have more advanced planes in one country and several extra crew slots rather than have tier 2 planes in every country and only 1 if any extra crew slots your country cannot be changed mid-game so this way of advancing in War Thunder’s hanger, crew slots and plane research system is strongly recommended. Extra crew slots are purchased with Silver Lions and are increasingly expensive as more are unlocked. 3 crew slots are unlocked automatically at no cost but to unlock further crew slots in order to fly more or different planes in battle. Once planes are researched and purchased, they are located in your hanger and must be actively assigned to a crew slot to be used in a game. However Golden Eagles, as well as other forms of in-game currency can be spent to complete research instantly or add to the research completion. Plane research is slow and matches must be played to complete research. Research Points (RP) must be used to actively research a plane model RP is earned during matches. Tier 1 is unlocked immediately and planes must be researched and purchased to continue unlocking higher tiers of planes. Planes throughout each country’s library are all marked with a tier, from 1 through to 5. War Thunder features a complex and detailed ‘skill tree’ type library of planes for each playable country. These types of planes are more durable and have far greater offensive capability than lighter aircraft but are more sluggish and will not excel in extremely close range dogfights like a light aircraft would.
Heavier fighters or attackers, like advanced Spitfire planes, are equipped with heavy machine gun ammunition as well as rockets. An example of this type of plane is the US light fighter, the P26A-33 avaliable to all players who choose US before their first match. Planes that are involved in active 'dogfighting' with other planes are usually small and fast and are equipped with light or heavy machine gun ammunition no rockets or bombs. While in combat, agile movement and accuracy are essential to victory. This information will provide an outline regarding the type of plane new players will mainly fly in their first few matches to learn the mechanics of flying and combat.Īttacking is engaging an enemy plane or ground target with guns, bombs or rockets. War Thunder's most significant dogfighting mechanics include diving, general attacking, evasive maneuvers in order to retreat or escape and team fighting. Bombers and heavier fighters and attackers will be unlocked later and must employ a different play style and are not recommended for new players from the start. They will teach controls and how the basic mechanics work. Regarding the type of plane to fly in your first match, basic fighters automatically unlocked for all countries will be best. A group like this can also be very dangerous to solo planes or even a group of 2-3 enemy planes. Flying together, in a group of 3-5 for example, will make it extremely difficult for enemy fighter or attacker planes to be offensive. When the battlefields are open, clear spaces the idea of safety in numbers will prove wise. The best tip for new players about to play their first match is to always stay near team mates. A feel for types of planes and their unique offensive and defensive capabilities as well as movement and tactics will come after many battles with many different planes from different countries in varying situations and environments. The first few matches against real players will be difficult and new players will often find it hard to keep strategy in mind when pure survival or controls are a more significant challenge.