I enjoy War Thunder because it can be a very fun game with its wide array of vehicles and great models, complete with accurate damage systems. However, I can't recommend this game to new players, and that's mainly because of the developers. They’ve made the game heavily monitored and grind-focused, pushing players towards spending money to progress faster.

For example, if you want to research your favorite vehicle or parts, you'll likely need a premium account or vehicle, and you'll have to play really hard in matches. While lower-tier vehicle research is relatively easy, once you start hitting mid to late tiers, the grind becomes overwhelming—even with the benefits of a premium account or vehicle. It’s sad because, despite the enjoyable aspects, it just doesn’t feel like a good time to play anymore.

Gaijin has made some attempts to improve the grind by giving players a bit more in rewards, lowering research requirements slightly, and adding tier bonus research. However, these changes still don’t feel particularly rewarding. Lately, the focus has shifted almost entirely to modern vehicles, leaving early and mid-WW2 content largely neglected, which is pretty disappointing.

For new players considering War Thunder, there are several things you should be aware of:

Monetization Pressure:
War Thunder is a free-to-play game, but it heavily encourages spending money to make progress. The premium account and vehicles can significantly reduce the grind, but they come at a cost. Without these, progressing through the game can feel incredibly slow and frustrating, especially in higher tiers.

The Grind:
At first, the game feels rewarding, with research and upgrades coming relatively quickly in the lower tiers. However, once you start advancing into mid and late tiers, the grind becomes much more intense. The amount of experience (RP) needed to unlock vehicles and upgrades skyrockets, and the time required can become overwhelming. Even with a premium account, it can feel like a never-ending grind.

Battle Ratings (BR):
The BR system in War Thunder can be confusing and frustrating for new players. Your vehicle's BR determines the range of opponents you'll face in matches. Each vehicle in War Thunder is assigned a BR, which is a numerical value reflecting its overall performance in combat, taking into account factors like speed, firepower, and armor. Matches are typically made within a +/- 1.0 BR range, meaning if you’re using a vehicle with a BR of 5.7, you could be matched with vehicles ranging from 4.7 to 6.7.

Certain BRs, like 9.3, are notoriously difficult because you’ll often be matched against much stronger vehicles in higher BRs (e.g., 10.0 or 10.3). This can make matches feel unbalanced and unfair, particularly when facing opponents with top-tier, pay-to-win vehicles. Understanding how the BR system works is crucial because it affects the balance of your matches, and being frequently uptiered can lead to frustrating experiences.

Pay-to-Win Elements:
While War Thunder is not entirely pay-to-win, there are aspects of the game that can give paying players a significant advantage. Premium vehicles, for instance, often come with better stats or lower BRs, making them more competitive in battles. Additionally, event vehicles and squadron vehicles that can be purchased through the Gaijin Market are often some of the most powerful in their BR range, giving paying players a clear edge.

Limited Content for Historical Enthusiasts:
If you’re a fan of early or mid-WW2 vehicles, be aware that the game’s recent updates have focused more on modern vehicles. This means that new content for WW2-era vehicles is becoming increasingly rare, which can be disappointing if that’s your primary interest.

Community and Teamplay:
While the War Thunder community has some helpful players, teamwork is essential, especially in higher tiers. As a new player, you may find it difficult to keep up with more experienced players who understand the intricacies of each vehicle and map. Solo play can be challenging, as many objectives require coordination, and getting left behind can lead to frustrating experiences.

Long-Term Commitment:
War Thunder can be enjoyable in the short term, but to progress and enjoy the game fully, it requires a long-term commitment. The sheer amount of time needed to research and unlock vehicles, especially without spending money, can be daunting. This is not a game you can play casually if you want to reach top-tier vehicles or compete effectively.

Final Thoughts:
I strongly advise against purchasing 9.3 premiums if you’re aiming to reach top tier. Instead, consider going for 10.0 or 10.3 to avoid the suffering that my friends and I have experienced. For reference, my favorite nation in War Thunder is Germany, followed by the USA and Russia.

I enjoy War Thunder because it can be a very fun game with its wide array of vehicles and great models, complete with accurate damage systems. However, I can't recommend this game to new players, and that's mainly because of the developers. They’ve made the game heavily monitored and grind-focused, pushing players towards spending money to progress faster. For example, if you want to research your favorite vehicle or parts, you'll likely need a premium account or vehicle, and you'll have to play really hard in matches. While lower-tier vehicle research is relatively easy, once you start hitting mid to late tiers, the grind becomes overwhelming—even with the benefits of a premium account or vehicle. It’s sad because, despite the enjoyable aspects, it just doesn’t feel like a good time to play anymore. Gaijin has made some attempts to improve the grind by giving players a bit more in rewards, lowering research requirements slightly, and adding tier bonus research. However, these changes still don’t feel particularly rewarding. Lately, the focus has shifted almost entirely to modern vehicles, leaving early and mid-WW2 content largely neglected, which is pretty disappointing. For new players considering War Thunder, there are several things you should be aware of: Monetization Pressure: War Thunder is a free-to-play game, but it heavily encourages spending money to make progress. The premium account and vehicles can significantly reduce the grind, but they come at a cost. Without these, progressing through the game can feel incredibly slow and frustrating, especially in higher tiers. The Grind: At first, the game feels rewarding, with research and upgrades coming relatively quickly in the lower tiers. However, once you start advancing into mid and late tiers, the grind becomes much more intense. The amount of experience (RP) needed to unlock vehicles and upgrades skyrockets, and the time required can become overwhelming. Even with a premium account, it can feel like a never-ending grind. Battle Ratings (BR): The BR system in War Thunder can be confusing and frustrating for new players. Your vehicle's BR determines the range of opponents you'll face in matches. Each vehicle in War Thunder is assigned a BR, which is a numerical value reflecting its overall performance in combat, taking into account factors like speed, firepower, and armor. Matches are typically made within a +/- 1.0 BR range, meaning if you’re using a vehicle with a BR of 5.7, you could be matched with vehicles ranging from 4.7 to 6.7. Certain BRs, like 9.3, are notoriously difficult because you’ll often be matched against much stronger vehicles in higher BRs (e.g., 10.0 or 10.3). This can make matches feel unbalanced and unfair, particularly when facing opponents with top-tier, pay-to-win vehicles. Understanding how the BR system works is crucial because it affects the balance of your matches, and being frequently uptiered can lead to frustrating experiences. Pay-to-Win Elements: While War Thunder is not entirely pay-to-win, there are aspects of the game that can give paying players a significant advantage. Premium vehicles, for instance, often come with better stats or lower BRs, making them more competitive in battles. Additionally, event vehicles and squadron vehicles that can be purchased through the Gaijin Market are often some of the most powerful in their BR range, giving paying players a clear edge. Limited Content for Historical Enthusiasts: If you’re a fan of early or mid-WW2 vehicles, be aware that the game’s recent updates have focused more on modern vehicles. This means that new content for WW2-era vehicles is becoming increasingly rare, which can be disappointing if that’s your primary interest. Community and Teamplay: While the War Thunder community has some helpful players, teamwork is essential, especially in higher tiers. As a new player, you may find it difficult to keep up with more experienced players who understand the intricacies of each vehicle and map. Solo play can be challenging, as many objectives require coordination, and getting left behind can lead to frustrating experiences. Long-Term Commitment: War Thunder can be enjoyable in the short term, but to progress and enjoy the game fully, it requires a long-term commitment. The sheer amount of time needed to research and unlock vehicles, especially without spending money, can be daunting. This is not a game you can play casually if you want to reach top-tier vehicles or compete effectively. Final Thoughts: I strongly advise against purchasing 9.3 premiums if you’re aiming to reach top tier. Instead, consider going for 10.0 or 10.3 to avoid the suffering that my friends and I have experienced. For reference, my favorite nation in War Thunder is Germany, followed by the USA and Russia.