Cross-Tree Research Bonus for Duplicate Vehicles - A Copy-Paste Solution
One of the most frustrating aspects of copy-paste vehicles in War Thunder is having to grind the exact same vehicles multiple times just because it appears in different tech trees. This repetition can feel redundant and discouraging for players who want to explore multiple nations or sub-trees.
To address this, a simple system that recognizes when a player already researched a specific vehicle in another tech tree and reduces the grind accordingly.
Example:
If a player has already unlocked and purchased a vehicle in one tree (for example, the Finnish T-72M), and then encounters the same vehicle in another tree, (like the East German T-72M,) the game should automatically apply a 50% discount across the board.
* 50% less RP required to unlock the vehicle
* 50% less SL cost for the vehicle and its crew
* 50% less RP required to unlock the modifications
* 50% less SL cost for the modifications
This would reduce the grind without removing it entirely, keeping a sense of progression while respecting the player’s past efforts.
FAQ
What qualifies as a “copy-paste vehicle” under this system?
A “copy-paste vehicle” is one that is mechanically and functionally identical to a vehicle already present in another tech tree. This includes vehicles with the same performance, armament, and core design, regardless of which nation uses them or what camouflage, insignia, or designation they have. Minor visual differences such as paint schemes, roundels, or country-specific names are not enough to make the vehicle unique. However, if a vehicle has meaningful changes such as improved armor, a different set of missiles, or a modified flight model, it is no longer considered a copy-paste. At that point it becomes a unique variant and should be treated as a separate vehicle in terms of progression. The Strv 122B+ wouldn’t, for example be discounted via the unlocked German Leopard 2s, as it’s not a “copy-paste.”
Would premiums count?
No. A premium vehicle already has many advantages. Additionally, premiums are often not identical to other vehicles (except most captured units).
Which vehicles would receive the bonus?
All types with identical copies within other trees. I.e ground vehicles, naval vehicles, aircraft and rotorcraft.
Isn’t 50% too much?
No. It’s of course the War Thunder Team that is in charge of this feature if it gets implemented, but imagine this: You’ve already built a computer once. You spent hours researching compatibility, figuring out the instructions, sorting the parts, and dealing with the work of putting it together. Now, a year later, you buy the exact same model, with the exact same parts. Would it make sense to expect that second build and its research to take just as long? Of course not. You already know the process, the tools, and the little tricks. It still takes effort, but not as much as the first time.
Also note that this is a feature that makes it a bit easier for newer players, who are just starting out their second tree.
All right then, but wouldn’t 50% still be to much in SL?
Not necessarily.
Since it will take ~50% less time to unlock the vehicle, you will also not be able to earn as much SL as you would if you grinded for a longer time. In other words:
While the SL cost is reduced by 50%, you’re also spending ~50% less time researching the vehicle during the grind. Since the vehicle takes half the RP and modification RP to unlock, players will naturally spend less time playing to grind the vehicle, and later, less time playing it in stock condition. That means fewer matches, fewer opportunities to earn SL, and in the end, the total SL gained during the grind is also 50% lower, since ~50% less time was spent on grinding. So the reduced SL price balances out the reduced earning potential, it’s a proportional tradeoff.
Will players need to unlock a specific nation’s vehicle first in order to receive the bonus? For instance, the Soviet T-34-85 before the Finnish version?
No. While that would be a realistic approach, it would introduce too much complexity and questions related to the system.
How does it benefit both the War Thunder Team and its playerbase?
While it wouldn’t excuse the addition of only “copy paste vehicles”, it would still make it easier for the playerbase to enjoy trees with more copy paste. Something that would alow more “copy-paste-ish” tech tree’s to get added, such as the Yugoslav, the V4 or the Greco-Iberian tech tree, thus more possible content for the War Thunder Team to add, and for its playerbase to enjoy.
When does the bonus activate?
The bonus only applies when you’ve unlockeded and bought a specific vehicle with identical copies in other trees, or within the own tech tree if such duplicates exist. Example: You unlock the Swedish Strv 121A. Now the German Leopard 2A4 and other identical copies (like the Swedish TT Finnish Leopard 2A4) recieves the bonus and its discounts.
How is it determined whether two vehicles are identical?
This would be handled internally by the developers based on technical data such as same model, same performance stats, weapons, and protection, etc. Players would likely see some kind of duplicate tag in the vehicle’s research window to indicate that it qualifies for the bonus. Historical evidence can also be used to check if a country did in fact modify its imported vehicle.
Wouldn’t this just encourage even more copy-paste vehicles in the game?
Not necessarily, and even if it did, that wouldn’t be a bad thing if handled correctly. This system does not reward developers for flooding trees with identical vehicles. It simply reduces the frustration players feel when encountering those vehicles after already unlocking them elsewhere. It also opens up the door for nations or sub-trees that need to rely on shared vehicles, like Yugoslavia, the V4, or Greco-Iberian trees, by making them more accessible and less punishing to play. In short, this system does not promote more copy-paste. It helps make existing and necessary overlap less repetitive, while allowing room for more diverse tech trees overall.
Please note: This idea is not entirely new, and similar suggestions have been brought up before by other players. I’ve seen concepts along the same lines discussed here on the official forums, mentioned in my own comment section, and even touched upon by creators like TheEuropeanCanadian. This version builds on that shared idea and tries to turn it into a clear and structured proposal.
I believe this system would make the experience of encountering copy-paste vehicles feel more rewarding, while also preserving balance. Thank you for reading! I’m open for discussion below!
DO ALSO NOTE:
DISCLAIMER: This post is entirely based on gameplay experience and vehicle performance, not visual appearance. For example, if a Leopard 2A4 performs the same but happens to feature extra chassis details like country specific details, shovels, boxes or storage, it still provides the same gameplay experience even if it looks slightly different. The War Thunder design team is incredibly talented, and this post is not meant as criticism towards them. Without their attention to detail, War Thunder simply wouldn’t be War Thunder.
Would you like to see this feature in War Thunder?
- Yes
- No
